This February, voters who live within Vancouver Public Schools’ boundaries will cast ballots on two levies for students and schools. These levies are not new taxes. If approved, they would replace existing levies that expire at the end of 2019.

Even with additional state funding (McCleary), the local levies are necessary to make up ongoing gaps in funding for services and priorities designated by the Vancouver community.

What the levies would pay for

The education and operations levy (formerly called the “maintenance and operations levy”) would support basic programs and services from 2020 to 2023, including:

• Classroom supplies
• Textbooks
• Equipment
• Classroom programs
• Special services
• Extracurricular and intramural activities
• Maintenance of buildings and grounds
• Safety and security
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Fuel

From 2020 to 2025, the technology levy would help prepare students for higher education and future careers by funding:

• Technology that supports students’ creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities
• Training to help teachers educate students on the skills required for success on the job
• Tablet and laptop computers for all students in third through 12th grades

How much property owners would pay

Per $1,000 of assessed property value, the estimated rates are:

• Education and operations levy—$1.50
• Technology levy—$0.31

The total rates per assessed $1,000 for all local and state school-related levies and bonds, including the proposed levies, are:

• 2018—$7.29
• 2019—$5.81
• 2020—$6.25 (estimated)
• 2021—$5.99 (estimated)
• 2022—$5.99 (estimated)
• 2023—$5.99 (estimated)

The actual rate may be different due to changes in state funding, property assessments and area growth. For more information, visit vansd.org/levy.

The election date is Feb. 12, 2019.

Iká pwe ke mochen epwe wor emén epwe ánea ngonuk masowen ei taropwe nón fóósun fénúomw ren ómw kopwe weweiti, en mei tongeni kéri Juanita Yasu, 360-771-5343.