Replacement levies good

Posted 1/29/25

 

I would bet that most children who attend Port Townsend Schools are not avid readers of letters to the editor of the Leader. And yet their eyes will be on the subject of this letter …

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Replacement levies good

Posted

 

I would bet that most children who attend Port Townsend Schools are not avid readers of letters to the editor of the Leader. And yet their eyes will be on the subject of this letter — whether the voting adults of the community will support them by supporting the schools.

There are two levies on the ballot coming in the mail to local homes, due by election day on Feb. 11. Neither is a new tax. Instead both are to continue a slim property tax repeatedly approved by the voters.

The operations levy (called Proposition 1 on the ballot) sustains a variety of classes and programs, including art, athletics, maritime education, music and robotics. It seeks about 82 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, to raise just over $4 million a year.

The capital levy (called Proposition 2) targets equipment and building improvements. It would upgrade students’ computers and other technology, improve disability access and provide funds to (finally) remove the shell of the Lincoln Building.

It seeks about 45 cents per $1,000, to raise about $2.4 million a year.

These are not new taxes; instead these are replacement levies to fund current programs. Please join me in once again supporting them, and thus supporting our kids.

Scott Wilson

Port Townsend