Two critical school funding measures go before voters

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1 SCHOOL TALK Cascade School District Newsletter, January 2011 SPECIAL EDITION Now is the time for our kids, for our community, for our future Two critical school funding measures go before voters Cascade School District patrons are being asked to support kids by casting their vote on two important school funding measures this month. 1 First is the replacement of the Maintenance and Operations that pays for essential student programs that are not funded by the state. Local levy dollars traditionally help bridge the gap between what the state pays for basic education and what it actually costs to operate schools. Cascade School District voters have passed levies for the past eleven years. 2 The second is a Construction Bond Measure that will replace Cascade High School, a new performing arts auditorium and several other critical facilities projects throughout the district. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed to registered voters January 19, Ballots must be postmarked by February 8, This edition of SCHOOL TALK provides detailed information about both funding measures. Please review the information carefully and call the District Office with any questions at (509) A message from the Superintendent... Dear Cascade School District Patrons: An important milestone is fast approaching for the Cascade School District and our community. In a couple of days your official ballot will arrive by mail proposing a Capital Facilities Bond (Bond is for Buildings) and a Replacement Maintenance and Operations ( is for Learning). These important school measures deserve close attention. That s why we have provided as much detail as possible in this newsletter. Please review it carefully and let me know if you have further questions or need additional information before casting your vote. We have amazing community and staff volunteers who work hard on behalf of our schools. A Citizen s Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC) spent many long nights discussing, debating, researching, planning and gathering input before recommending a fiscally responsible bond measure. They never wavered from the goal of crafting a solution that would address essential school needs yet respect the economic challenges we face today. I commend them for the insightful work they accomplished together. I continue to be amazed at what I see here in the Cascade School District - professional, dedicated and knowledgeable staff, fiscal responsibility, academic excellence, and a dynamic community that supports education. It s this type of reputation that contributes to the livability of our community and its attractiveness to new business and families. I know we will continue to work together to keep our schools strong and deserving of the recognition they receive. My door is always open. I hope you ll call me if you have concerns or further questions about the February 8 funding measures. Again, thank you for your support! Sincerely, Steve McKenna, Superintendent FACT: Bonds and Levies are different. Schools collect two types of property taxes a Maintenance & Operation which pays for learning activities and day to day expenses of student programs that are not covered by the state, (Think Levies pay for Learning) and Construction Bond that are used to construct new schools or remodel older schools. (Think Bonds pay for Buildings.) Bonds require a 60% voter approval, while levies require 50% = 4 / 2 = 2-1 = 1 In either type of tax, the ballot measure limits the total amount of money that can be raised. As property values increase or decrease, the tax rate is adjusted while the total amount of tax collected remains constant. The tax rate range over the last 17 years has ranged from $1.43 to $2.92 per thousand in assessed property value with a 10-year average of $2.29.

2 1. Replacement pays for essential student programs On the February ballot is the two-year Replacement Maintenance & Operations, which pays for student programs that are not covered by the state. Here are the facts to help you make your decision: /// What will this levy cost? The proposed levy amount and estimated tax rate for the twoyear levy are listed below. This measure is a slight increase over the current levy which expires this year. Property owners will pay an additional $.12 Cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which equates to an additional one cent per month per $1,000 of assessed value. Year Approximate Rate Total 2011 $1.05 EXPIRING LEVY 2012 $1.17 $2,427, $1.15 $2,427,366 /// What will this levy do for the community? This Maintenance and Operations pays for a variety of programs and services that are not covered by the State. The chart on the right provides a breakdown. This levy will help the District maintain its current level of programs and services. What does 12 cents get you? Proposed State Funded Revenues - 79% Co and Extra Curricular Activities: $484, = 4% Student Safety: $295, = 3% Employee Support: $401, = 4% Student Learning & Instructional Support: $857, = 10% Total : $2,427, Funded Co & Extra Curricular Activities Stipends for music and math competitions Tournament costs Coaching stipends Travel Student Safety Counselors, substance abuse support Safety Officers Employee Support Substitutes, Unfunded staff Custodians Instructional Aides Classroom Materials Student Learning & Instructional Support Small class size Curriculum materials Assessment Tools Technology After School Extended Learning Programs (i.e. Barn Beach Science) Data processing, copiers Transportation Facilities Maintenance Staff Development /// How will this levy affect my overall taxes? There is no crystal ball that reveals how a number of factors might affect an individual s property tax rate. However, this chart reflects a possible rate of the life of the two-year levy ( ) in relation to average assessed home values. Average Home Value 2011 Current 2012 Proposed 2013 Proposed $250,000 $21.88 $24.37 $23.96 $300,000 $26.25 $29.25 $28.75 $350,000 $30.62 $34.13 $33.54 /// Why are levies important? Isn t the state required to pay for basic education? Locally funded levies are important because the state only pays for a portion of the education costs in cascade. Maintenance and operations levies help school districts bridge the gap between what the state pays and the actual cost of operating our schools. State funding for schools is insufficient. Therefore, local levy dollars become a necessity to preserve essential student programs and services. The largest portion of levy funds go towards student learning and instructional support. dollars help pay for textbooks, curriculum materials and classroom technology, an essential learning tool for all students. 2 3

3 2. Capital Facilities Bond to address significant building needs What does 99 cents get you? Cascade High School: New replacement facility and performing arts auditorium Osborn and Peshastin Dryden Elementary Schools: Safety and health improvements and further study of location and building concerns Icicle River Middle School: Heating, ventilation and air quality improvements Beaver Valley Elementary School: New covered play area, new boundary fencing and soccer field Peshastin Stadium: New stadium bleachers, new stadium lighting, new baseball field bleachers, new baseball field lighting, new restroom and concession building and new storage building Dryden Site: Field improvements and new restroom facility Maintenance and Bus Facility: New bus storage and facility improvements Practice Facility: New restrooms and storage building. Field drainage improvements Discovery School: New classrooms with restrooms According to a state required Study and Survey and the district wide Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC), several Cascade school buildings are in need of major repair. But after substantial research and gathering public input and direction, the CFAC scaled back an initial list of critical needs, proposing a bond measure that will replace Cascade High School and address other immediate needs throughout the district. Although there is a long list of significant school facility needs throughout the district, including projects at the elementary, middle and high school level, the highest priority at this time is to replace Cascade High School. The work simply can t wait any longer, said Beau Snow, Co-chair of the CFAC. Now is the time to take care of our schools and the facilities in which our children learn and grow. Interest rates and construction costs are reasonable right now and our community stands to get a lot for its money. After hearing from the community, CFAC determined that the best course of action would be to complete projects in phases, explained Snow. This bond proposal takes into account the current economic challenges faced by taxpayers, he added. The condition of our schools is far below acceptable standards, said Snow. With the realization that building conditions will only worsen, and maintenance costs rise, the committee hopes the public will support improvements now that will meet our students needs far into the future, he added. Kris Zehm, also CFAC Co-Chair concurred. Now is the time to take care of our schools and the facilities in which our children learn and grow. Interest rates and construction costs are reasonable right now and our community stands to get a lot for its money. The Study and Survey was conducted in It rated several Cascade schools well below acceptable standards. Study and Survey is the process used by the state to determine building quality and/or needs. It looks at each building s interior and exterior structures, safety and security deficiencies, the condition of mechanical systems, building codes and other miscellaneous elements. A telephone and online survey about the facility needs helped CFAC determine the scope of work that was recommended to the Board. Community Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) Members: Brenda Anderson Stephanie Astell Oliver Brulotte Mike Camp Renee Caudle Greg Clark Anne Conrad Jennifer Crossley Mary DePaz Doug Devore Bruce Disher Kelli Doherty Kami Duncan Lee Fenton Bob Francis Korene Guthrie Mike Hill Tim Lawless Dayle Massey Joel Martinez Kenny Renner-Singer Angela Russell Amanda Scott Shaun Seaman Beau Snow Jeff Soehren David Vasquez Julie Winters Kristen Wood Kris Zehm FACT: Some senior citizens and others are exempt from these bond and levy taxes. Qualified individuals can apply for senior exemptions, please contact the county assessor for further information. Even if you are not a senior citizen, based on your current income and by itemizing your tax return, bond taxes can be further reduced by 25%-35%. You will need to consult with your accounting professional for exact information. Answers to questions you may have about the Bond Measure /// Why are local bonds needed to take care of school facilities? School districts use annual state funding and local levy monies to perform routine maintenance and upkeep on their buildings. These funds are limited and do not meet all needs. Major system renewal or replacement is too expensive to be achieved using these funds. Bonds are needed to fund major construction work. /// How was the bond scope identified? The district has carefully crafted its bond program based on community input and affordability. The current proposal considers only the most critical needs. However, the Citizen s Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) has also designed a long range improvement plan that will be executed in smaller increments over the next 5 years. It is important to make continual progress in building improvements to avoid the need for a large expenditure in the future. /// What s wrong with our current school facilities? Even with diligent maintenance, our facilities are aging and deteriorating. We are experiencing leaky roofs, crumbling walls and sidewalks, deteriorating plumbing, etc. It would not be responsible for the District to allow these building components to become even more costly to repair. /// How was the bond amount set? In a recent telephone survey of Cascade residents, patrons indicated they would be willing to pay up to a $30 per month in a property tax increase on homes valued around $350,000 to pay for improvements to school facilities. For this bond proposal, patrons would pay approximately $28.88 per month on a home valued at $350,000. The owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay about $16.50 per month and for a home of $100,000 value the monthly amount would be $

4 /// What will be done at the elementary level? CFAC also determined that more time is needed to further study the elementary program. Consensus is that the physical condition of Osborn and Peshastin-Dryden Elementary schools is significantly deficient. However, CFAC recommended further study of the elementary needs based on feedback from public meetings and the community survey. The committee determined that the location of the elementary schools, associated transportation costs and other issues deserved further thought and consideration before The schools are the heart of the community asking voter to approve any new construction. A long-term plan will be developed in the near future. Luke Astell, Community Member \/// Is there a current bond tax? The current bond of.47/$1,000 of assessed valuation will be retired in This District will have no debt associated with bonds after that point. Currently patrons in a $200,000 home pay $94 / year or $7.83 / month. But after 2011, that amount will come off the tax rolls. So, the proposed bond is considered a replacement bond. While this is certainly an achievement to eliminate this debt, we are left with facilities that have outlived their useful lives and need to be updated and/or replaced. Bond Cost Details: Property tax rates are expressed in dollars per thousand of assessed property value. The chart below reflects projected rates for Cascade residents. A $30/month tax increase supports a Bond amount of approximately $46,400,000 for a home value of close to $350,000. A bond of this amount equates to an increase of $.99/ per $1,000 of average assessed value. Assessed Home Value per $1,000 of Assessed Value Increase Per Year Increase Per Month $100,000 $.99 $99.00 $8.25 $150,000 $.99 $ $12.38 $200,000 $.99 $ $16.50 $250,000 $.99 $ $20.63 $300,000 $.99 $ $24.75 $350,000 $.99 $ $28.88 $400,000 $.99 $ $33.00 $450,000 $.99 $ $37.13 If both the and Bond Pass, the TOTAL COMBINED tax paid will be $2.63 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This total compares very favorably to neighboring districts whose comparable taxes range from $4.56 to $3.55 and an average of $3.95 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. *Per information provided by DA Davidson and Seattle Northwest Securities /// Why build a new high school, rather than remodel the current school? This was an issue thoroughly studied and discussed by the CFAC. The current high school does not meet current standards for air quality, technology, structural soundness, and energy efficiency. The cost of modernization of the high school is comparable to complete replacement of the facility. At some point in time however, it is no longer practical or cost effective to allocate funds to repair an old building. At that time, a bond to complete replacement is a feasible option. /// Why will the new school be built in Leavenworth, rather than on an alternate site? Keeping the high school in Leavenworth, adjacent to the current high school site, is the most feasible option. The district has ample property at the current high school site to locate the new building adjacent to the current building. The learning environment will not be disturbed as students will continue to attend school at the current site during construction of the new facility. The close proximity of IRMS to the high school is important to maintain joint use of facilities, staff and transportation. /// Are there any benefits to running this bond in the current economic environment? With interest rates on bonds at a 40-year low and construction costs extremely favorable, CFAC determined now is a good time to ask for approval of the proposal. In addition to other benefits of bidding construction projects in this economy, the plan will also help the vitality of our community by generating jobs and pride. /// Is there anything being proposed for Dryden? Improvements to the athletic fields at Dryden are in the scope of work including new restrooms, field upgrades and storage facilities. /// What is the advantage of using a 20 year term for the bonds as opposed to a 30 year term like a home mortgage? A 20-year amortization is common for school bonds to reduce the total interest cost. /// How will we be phasing the construction so the students are least affected? At all locations, the District has sufficient property to allow new facilities to be built adjacent to existing ones keeping temporary facilities to a minimum. /// Why do we have the Beaver Valley School? Beaver Valley is a remote and essential facility (a State of Washington classification) and as such the District receives special state funding. If we did not have this facility the cost of transportation of the students would exceed the benefit of this funding. This bond proposal includes paying off the Beaver Valley non-voted debt so that money can be freed for other facility improvement uses. /// What will we be doing to improve the Discovery School as part of this program? In this bond proposal, CFAC proposes a modest budget to provide upgrades to the Discovery school. These upgrades include the replacement of the modular buildings. /// What happens to our buildings if the bond does not pass? The District will continue to expend funds maintaining old systems and paying high energy costs. Student learning environment, comfort and security will continue to be challenges that will only get worse over time. High School Science Lab note the location of electrical appliances near gas outlets Previously repaired lighting with a new patch due to water damage Bleachers with broken and worn boards We need facilities that are acceptable for our kids. If we want our kids to keep up with the next generation, our facilities need to keep up as well. Damaged walls due to constant roof leaks Paula West, Teacher Damaged walls due to groundwater and vapor intrusion below the buildings 6 7

5 Cascade School District 330 Evans Street Leavenworth, WA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID LEAVENWORTH WA PERMIT NO 13 ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER We re recognized as Schools of Distinction! Out of 2163 schools in Washington State, the Cascade School District preformed in the top 10 percent of all schools on the 2010 State Board of Education s Accountability Index. The Index is based on a number of factors including performance of all students on MSP tests, the performance of minority and low income students and how student performance compares to other students across the state. Each school is given an average achievement score and can be ranked based on that score. Icicle River Middle School was the 20th highest performing school in the state which is in the top 1 percent of school performance in the state. Cascade High School was 142 out of 2163 and was in the top 6 percent of schools. Osborn Elementary was 150th and in the top 7 percent of all schools. The performance on the Accountability Index is an indicator of the quality education that students receive in the Cascade School District. It is a tribute to the teachers, staff, students, parents, and community who work so hard each and every day to ensure high levels of learning for all! For more information on the State Accountability Index scoring system go to: This is an exceptionally performing District in terms of students and staff. We now need to provide the facilities that will continue to ensure that same level of teaching and learning. Steve McKenna, Superintendent??? You can get more information about the bond and levy proposals. Here s how: Go to edu and click on Bond and Information located on the home page. Or you may call the district office at (509) your questions to Julie Winters at jwinters@cascade.wednet.edu Artist s conception of the new Cascade High School. 8