February 8, 2011 Maintenance & Operations Levy -
Quick Facts
- The February 8, 2011 maintenance and operations levy is a replacement levy, not a new tax. It renews the current four-year levy which expires at the end of 2011 and will maintain levy funding for the Port Angeles School District for four years through 2015.
- The February 8, 2011 levy is for a fixed amount - $8,178,067 for 2012; $8,300,738 for 2013; $8,425,249 for 2014; and $8,551,628 for 2015. Washington State law provides that no more than the requested amount can be collected. The fixed levy amount collected by the School District does not increase after it is set in place, regardless of changes in assessed property value.
- The February 8, 2011 levy request conservatively increases the current levy amount due to the loss of funding from Washington State.
- The estimated tax rate for the new levy is $2.65 per $1,000 - for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Actual tax rates are set by Clallam County and may fluctuate.
- To estimate how much you’d pay a year, first find your assessed property value. Divide your assessment by 1,000. Next multiply by $2.65. This will be your estimated maintenance and operations levy payment.
- The maintenance and operations levy helps support staffing, instructional materials, staff development, student transportation, athletics, music programs and other student activities, equipment, information systems, career & technical education, special education and maintenance. The levy supports the day-to-day operation of public schools and programs not funded, or not fully funded, by Washington State.
- Public school districts in Washington State receive the majority of their annual operating funds from the state. However, the legislature only provides approximately 65% of what it costs to provide a child’s public education. The balance of the money needed is expected to come from local levies and the federal government.
- Washington State only funds approximately 65% of the total Port Angeles School District budget. The February 8, 2011 levy request will only provide approximately 24% of the total School District budget even though the legislature authorizes maintenance and operations levy requests up to 28% of a district’s budget.
- After the School Board sets a levy amount, and voters approve a levy request, it becomes the maximum that can be collected. The fixed levy amount collected by the School District does not increase after it is set in place, regardless of changes in assessed property value.
- The levy rate is calculated from the total assessed valuation of all the real property within the School District boundaries.
- School levies positively impact everyone in the community, whether you have children in school or not. Levy dollars remain in our community helping with economic stability and prosperity. Businesses and health professionals who consider relocation to our area consistently say that the quality of our schools is a critical part of the quality of life that attracts them to Port Angeles.
- An exemption is available for qualifying seniors and low-income homeowners. Those interested should contact the County Assessor’s office by phone at 360.417.2400 or email web_assessor@co.clallam.wa.us.
- Voters have supported a Port Angeles School District maintenance and operations levy since 1969.
Updated 12/14/2010.
Levy questions, comments and suggestions may be sent via email to: levy@portangelesschools.org, or by U.S. Mail to: Superintendent, Port Angeles School District, 216 East Fourth Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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