Chimacum voters to decide on replacement levy for schools

Posted 10/30/24

Chimacum School District voters will get to choose in February whether to further fund their schools following a vote by the Chimacum School District Board of Directors.

On Oct. 23 the board …

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Chimacum voters to decide on replacement levy for schools

Posted

Chimacum School District voters will get to choose in February whether to further fund their schools following a vote by the Chimacum School District Board of Directors.

On Oct. 23 the board approved Resolution No. 2024-6, authorizing the submission of a replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy to voters in a special election to be held Feb. 11.

The three-year levy, set to replace the district’s current levy expiring in 2025, would support educational programs and operations for the upcoming years.

The replacement levy seeks voter approval to collect $2.35 million in 2025 (for collection in 2026), $2.42 million in 2026 (for collection in 2027), and $2.5 million in 2027 (for collection in 2028). The estimated levy rate for each of these years is approximately $0.66 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

“Our Educational Programs and Operations Levy helps maintain the high-quality programs that benefit every student in our district,” said Superintendent Scott Mauk. “It supports our teachers and support staff to ensure every student is known by name, strength, and need.”

The levy would provide funding for teachers, instructional materials, athletics, and the day-to-day operations of school buildings, Mauk said. The funding also allows the district to offer programs beyond what the state provides such as music, advanced coursework, and athletics.

The replacement levy comes a year after the renewal of the district’s capital levy, which funds capital projects such as HVAC and energy efficiencies and facilities upgrades and repairs. This EP&O levy will fund programs, operations, and services not fully funded by the state.

All East Jefferson County school districts are coordinating efforts to run all school levies together beginning in 2028.