Voters in the Hockinson School District will cast ballots on a $13.9 million, three-year replacement levy in the Feb. 9 special election. The proposed school programs, maintenance and operations levy replaces two levies expiring this year.
If approved, the proposed levy will cost taxpayers an additional nickel per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2017 when compared with the combined 2016 tax rate of the two current levies.
For the proposed levy, the estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed property value would be $3.56 in 2017, $3.99 in 2018 and $3.94 in 2019. The cost for a $300,000 home would be $1,068 in 2017, $1,197 in 2018, $1,182 in 2019.
“We decided to do one levy,” said Superintendent Sandra Yager. “We realized that because we did the bond last year, we’ve done most of our maintenance and big projects. What we have left is minor maintenance.”
Proposed Hockinson School District levy
What: A three-year school programs, maintenance and operations levy, which will replace two expiring levies.
Estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed home value: $3.56 in 2017, $3.99 in 2018 and $3.94 in 2019.
What it will pay for: School programs, including three new staff positions; elementary school security; continued funding for positions not paid for by the state; cost-of-living increases for staff; and student transportation. Maintenance and operations including upgrades to lab computers and the high school track.
Increase over expiring levies: 5 cents increase per $1,000 assessed property value from 2016 to 2017.
Information: 360-448-6400 or www.hocksd.org/community/levy_information
The levy would pay for three new staff positions; security for the elementary school; continued funding of positions not paid for by the state including 10 teachers and certificated specialists; 22 support staff and special education staff. It also will pay for professional development and cost-of-living increases for staff; student transportation; athletics and activities, and special education costs.
Maintenance and operations paid for the proposed levy include roof repairs and upgrades to lab computers, kitchen equipment, a high school stage area and athletic track, and an elementary school fiber cable.
Levies require a simple majority — 50 percent plus one — to be approved.
Ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 9 to be valid, or dropped off at one of the county’s authorized drop locations before 8 p.m. Election Day. The three authorized 24-hour ballot drop boxes are at Battle Ground City Hall, 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground; Fishers Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 64th Ave.; and downtown Vancouver at West 14th and Esther streets.
Together, Hockinson School District’s two expiring levies cost $3.51 per $1,000 assessed property value this year.
The first expiring levy is a school programs and operations levy. This year, it will collect $3.07 per $1,000 in assessed property value and will pay for 10 basic education teachers; 22 classified support staff positions; teachers’ time, responsibility and incentive pay; staff training; unfunded special education positions; athletics; part of student transportation and more.
The second expiring levy is a capital levy. This year, it will collect $0.44 per $1,000 in assessed property value and will pay for technology, security, and facilities maintenance and repair. That includes major roof repairs and replacements at the elementary and middle schools and district office; heating and cooling repairs at the middle and high schools; field drainage and noise control in the high school’s multipurpose room; an intercom system at the elementary school; security cameras; and a fence at the elementary school.
Six Clark County school districts — Evergreen, Green Mountain, Hockinson, La Center, Ridgefield and Vancouver — are seeking multiyear replacement and operations levies in the Feb. 9 special election. The Camas School District is the lone district with a bond measure on the ballot.
