Politics & Government

Three Education Measures Appear On Special Election Ballot

Ballots are due Feb. 14, 2012.

By now all registered voters in King County should have received their ballots. Voters living within the Renton School District have the opportunity to weigh in on three ballot measures for education. Ballots must be post marked or returned to King County Elections by Feb. 14, 2012.

Proposition No. 1: Replacement Educational Maintenance and Operations Levy (simple majority vote needed for passage)

Proposition No. 1 would authorize the District to replace an expiring property tax levy to support educational programs and services including teaching, school supplies, technology, athletics and transportation. The current Educational Maintenance and Operations Levy is set to expire this year.

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According to documents filed by the Renton School District, Proposition No. 1 will maintain the current District standards:

“The money in and to be paid into the General Fund of the District during (the next five school years) will be insufficient to enable the District to pay for necessary maintenance and operations and to properly meet the educational needs of the students attending the District.”

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The collection rate, if approved by voters, would be as follows:

Collection Years

Approx. Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value

Levy Amount

2013

$2.66

$38,100,000

2014

$2.78

$39,800,000

2015

$2.88

$41,600,000

2016

$2.98

$43,500,000

 

Proposition No. 2: Building for a Lifetime of Learning School Building Improvement Bonds - $97,000,000 (60 percent yes vote and a minimum voter turnout of 10,582 required for passage)

 Should voters approve Proposition No. 2, the District would issue $97,000,000 in general obligation bonds and use those funds to move forward with construction of a new middle school; renovate the Lindbergh pool; remodel, upgrade and improve existing school facilities, fields and play areas; improve energy conservation; acquire additional property and make other capital improvements. The District plans to levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds.

Proposition No. 2, if passed by voters, would allow the district to:

  • Acquire land, construct and equip a new middle;
  • Refurbish the buildings and improve the athletic facilities at Hazen and Lindbergh high schools; McKnight Middle School; Bryn Mawr, Cascade, Lakeridge, Maplewood and Sierra Heights elementary schools;
  • Improvements to the IKEA Performing Arts Center at Renton High School including parking additions, improved site access, upgrades, modernization and relocation of the mixing board and installation of a cooling system;
  • Replacement of folding walls and mechanical upgrades at Dimmitt Middle School;
  • Replacement of rockeries and the regarding of steep sloped at Kennydale Elementary;
  • Upgrade playfields and replace interior finishes and materials at Talbot Elementary;
  • Upgrade playfields and replace interior finishes and materials at Tiffany Park Elementary;
  • Perform additional safety, energy and security upgrades;
  • Purchase and install new portable classrooms; and
  • Upgrade existing portable buildings.

 

Proposition No. 3: Technology Capital Projects Levy (simple majority vote needed for passage)  

Proposition No. 3 would authorize the district to implement a new levy that will tax district property for the improvement of District technology facilities and fund technology instruction. The collection rate, if approved by voters, would be as follows:

Collection Years

Approx. Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value

Levy Amount

2013

$0.17

$2,500,000

2014

$0.17

$2,500,000

2015

$0.55

$8,000,000

2016

$0.55

$8,000,000

 

 

 

 


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