Members of the Tacoma School Board agreed to put a $140 million capital levy on the ballot for voters this February. They will formally vote on the decision on Nov. 23.
The proposed levy would raise property taxes by 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This money would fund the new Baker and Hunt middle schools, scheduled to open in January 2012 and January 2015, respectively. This levy would also allow the district to remodel one of Tacoma’s aging elementary schools.
At their Nov. 12 meeting, board members were given three choices on the amount of money to be levied – tax increases of 50, 70 or 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Only the last two tax increase proposals would include remodeling an undetermined elementary school. In addition, the 75-cent increase would allow the district to open the middle schools about nine months earlier and would allow more money for small capital projects and technology.
“I don’t see any value in the 70-cent increase and our need so greatly outweighs the 50-cent option that I don’t even want to consider it,” Boardmember Jim Dugan said.
When the school board votes on this issue later this month, they will also decide whether or not to include a four-year replacement programs and operations levy to the ballot. District Superintendent Art Jarvis explained to the board that because of a change in state law, the replacement levy would only require a majority of votes, not a super majority of 60 percent.
If the levy passes in February, residents will pay $5.81 per $1,000 of assessed valuation beginning in 2011. Residents are currently paying a tax rate of $4.80 per $1,000 of assessed value and the rate will decrease slightly to $4.64 in 2010.
Jarvis reminded board members that before their next meeting, they must also decide which of the elementary schools in Tacoma to put on the ballot this February. Among the oldest elementary schools were the 84-year-old Washington-Hoyt, 80-year-old McCarver and 79-year-old McKinley.
“Although we’ve had an unsuccessful campaign, I count on the community to see the importance of this levy,” Board President Kim Golding said.
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