Olympia, North Thurston, Tumwater, Tenino Schools Put Bonds, Levies Before Voters

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By Alyssa Ramsfield

JBLM - kidsMost ballots for February’s election will include a school bond or levy in your area. The bond or levy may ask for more money for school improvements, technology or safety, while others are asking for extensions of already voted for taxes. Informational pamphlets are already in your mailbox, but if it’s been misplaced or you need a refresher, here are the facts for a bond in North Thurston Public Schools, a levy for Olympia School District and a bond for Tumwater School District.

Olympia School District

Tech & Safety Levy 2015-2018

What will this money get the district’s students? First, it will help to pay for up-to-date technology for students and staff. It will also pay for initiatives such as computers for state testing and necessary devices for special needs students. Along with this, the levy will also support training and integration of technology in the classroom.

Safety projects are a top priority as well in Olympia. They plan to use levy money toward improving safety in the district by installing cameras in schools and on buses. They also want to install panic buttons at schools in case of an emergency.

The Numbers:

olympia high schoolThe current technology levy, approved by voters in 2010, expires this year. Olympia School District is asking taxpayers to renew this levy through 2018. If approved, the levy’s tax rate for the first year would be $.62 per $1,000 of assessed value, decreasing each year to $.34 per $1,000 by 2018. For example, if you owned a $250,000 home in the district, your tax increase would be about $9 a month.

North Thurston Public Schools

NTPS Proposition 1: District-Wide Neighborhood School Improvements, Technology & Safety Upgrades Bond Measure 

The first piece of this bond focuses on school improvements. The money raised will be used to replace roofs, heating & plumbing systems, and to make energy efficient upgrades. NTPS would also like to modernize five neighborhood schools and build a brand new middle school in the growing Hawks Prairie area.

The second focus of the bond is on technology. This would include the upgrading of outdated computers, add more classrooms to accommodate student growth in the area, update learning facilities, and replace more than 50 decaying portable classrooms.

The final focal point is safety. The bond will help to install panic alarms, automatic door locks and secure entries. It will also be used to make structural updates for earthquake protection.

The Numbers:

Let’s take a look at the numbers and see how NTPS plans to achieve these goals. Under Prop 1, the tax increase would be about $.59 for per $1,000 in home value. For example, if you own a home valued at $200,000 you would be paying about $9.83 per month toward community schools.

Tumwater School District

2013-14 Bond Proposal to Support Student Learning

Tumwater BGC Lettuce Harvest 004This bond is focused on maintaining the current facilities in the district. The district would like to make renovations to their oldest schools and add additional classrooms. Many of the schools have not had an overhaul since the late 1990s. All of the schools in the district will be receiving much needed upgrades.

School safety is also a high priority. Tumwater is planning to add security cameras, electronic locks and lockdown systems, and new intercom and phone systems. They also plan to make changes to the entry ways of schools, adding school zone lights, and upgrading the fire sprinkler systems across the district.

The Numbers:

If you break down the numbers for Proposition 1, the bond repayment schedule leaves the tax rate steady. Taxes will not increase under this plan. As these bonds are added, older bonds will be paid off leaving the current tax of $5.94 per thousand dollars at the same rate.

Tenino School District

tenino graduation2013 Bond

The first priority for Tenino School District will be upgrading buildings & classrooms. With the growing number of students comes the need for larger classrooms. The buildings in the district are also in need of expansion and energy efficiency changes. The current electrical systems will also need to be upgraded to handle the load of changing technology.

 

Along with a growing community will be the need for more facilities. This will include a new performance center, music spaces, special education classrooms, and gyms. The bond will also cover much needed improvements of the sports stadium and practice fields.

Student safety will also take precedent on the use of this bond. Changes will be made to entrances, offices, and exterior doors to make each facility as safe and secure as possible for staff and students.

The Numbers:

This 25 year bond will cover $35 million worth of improvements. The estimated tax rate will be $2.83 per $1,000 assessed value of a home. For example, the average $250,000 home would pay an estimated $56.06 a month. This rate would not change over the 25 years of the bond.

For a further breakdown of what each individual school in these districts will receive see the links below:

 

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