Message from the Superintendent
On behalf of North Thurston Public Schools, I would like to encourage voters to gain a better understanding of the 4-year, 2012 Replacement Levy and the role it plays in basic education. When levies first started, they were for enhancements. Today, the levy is a major source of funding for basic education, making up 22 percent of our operating budget. The majority of this amount — about 80 cents per $1 — goes to hire teachers not funded by the state, and also to educational programs like Special Education, Advanced Placement, Vocational, and Visual and Performing Arts.
All of our schools receive levy dollars. Without them, we would not be able to provide the comprehensive education system our community has come to expect. As the largest and most diverse district in Thurston County, North Thurston prides itself on our commitment to excellence in educating the whole child, which means meeting both academic and social/emotional needs. While more than 40 percent of our families receive Free and Reduced lunch, our state assessments are at or above the state in almost every area and grade level. We also have a Fulbright Scholar, National Merit Finalists, award-winning arts, athletics and vocational programs, as well as one of the top student newspapers in the country!
North Thurston is one of the largest employers in Thurston County, with more than 1,700 certified and classified staff. We have acted as good stewards of public dollars and have made sacrifices — building our reserves, cutting 7 administrative positions while adding 800 students since 2006, saving nearly $1 million in staff salary reductions or freezes, receiving more than $5.6 million in grants since 2008, and saving $500,000 annually in printing and energy reductions.
All these savings aside, we have had to make continuous cuts every year to balance our budget while providing consistent quality education to our students. Despite the recent Supreme Court ruling that hopefully over time will put more state dollars towards the true costs of basic education, school districts will still have to tighten their belts. Every dollar counts when it comes to kids and learning. By going to a 4-year replacement levy instead of 2, we can continue great teaching and learning, while at the same time help voters avoid levy fatigue, provide a more reliable source of funding, and help make our technology education more equitable in all our schools.
The replacement levy is a vital part of all school district budgets. You can learn more details at www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/levy
Sincerely,
Raj Manhas, Superintendent
North Thurston Public Schools
rmanhas@nthurston.k12.wa.us
