The Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors approved placing a three-year replacement levy on the April 26 special election ballot.
The Tuesday decision came in the wake of the defeat of a replacement levy in last week’s special election, with 57.15 percent of district voters saying no as of Wednesday’s update.
If approved in April, the newly proposed levy would cost Evergreen district residents $1.70 per $1,000 in assessed property value.
Coupled with the district’s existing bond measure and technology levy, the new measure would lower the current school tax rate from $3.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value to a projected $3.68 in 2023 and $3.48 in 2024 and 2025.
The levy, which would replace the district’s current educational programs and operations levy when it expires in December, supports programs not funded by the state — such as mental health services, nursing positions, performing arts programs and athletics. In 2022, Evergreen’s levy accounted for an estimated 11 percent of its budget.
The newly proposed levy is lower than the rate on the ballot in February, which started at $1.92 in the first year and rose to $2.12 in the second and third years.
“This proposed levy rate will still force us to make some tough budget decisions, but the board feels this is the right decision to make for our students and citizens, and we are hopeful that our community will agree,” said board president Ginny Gronwoldt.
