School levy meeting

Monday, Nov. 21, there will be a meeting called by the Colfax School District to be held in the high school library at 7 p.m. for the express purpose of getting feedback from the community as to the amount that should be put before the voters for next spring’s Colfax School District special levy. At the meeting we will receive the latest projections for District revenue to be received in the next two years and estimates of School District costs, in all of the spending categories. The State of Washington has a $2 billion hole to fill, and unfortunately they will do that with some of the moneys designated for schools.

There is a program in this state called Local Effort Assistance, commonly referred to as Levy Equalization where school districts with high value property have some of their property taxes allocated by the state to school districts with lower value property.

Most eastern Washington school districts have the lower value.

The amount is set firm by the State Superintendent’s Office for each district by a complex formula, and last year Colfax was the benefactor of about $321,000 through this program, although that amount will be $272,000 for the 2011-2012 school year.

The Governor’s preliminary amended budget request has Levy Equalization reduced by 50% for all schools.

The Legislators meet November 28, to decide what areas of State government need to be cut to reduce the state budget by $2 Billion.

There are some West side legislators who would like to see Levy Equalization reduced to $0.

Two years ago the Colfax School Board enacted a “what if” levy proposal to the voters, that if Levy Equalization were taken away, then the levy would cover that gap. As it turns out, the loss of Equalization never happened, but the misunderstanding of the Equalization program by the community contributed to the first Levy failure. The words that were heard from prominent community members were, “that’s too much”.

With the State shifting more of the responsibility for support of schools on to the local citizens, we now have the opportunity, next Monday night to help the School Board, whom you just reelected, to determine how much is, “Too Much”. Only a handful of people showed up two years ago to help with promotion for the special levy. Next Monday night is the opportunity for those who have concerns about the school district special levy to come and voice their concerns about school district spending, and what areas need to be cut if there is a levy figure that appears to be “Too Much”.

An example of cuts being considered in the Spokane School District is the elimination of middle school sports programs. I am sure none of us would like to see that in Colfax, but when it comes to education of our kids, with declining dollars, everything could be on the table. Spokane public Schools Superintendent Nancy Stowell stated, “we’ve been cutting back for 10 years, and we are now at the classroom door.”

Colfax is no different, and in fact reached into the classroom door last year, laying off three teachers. Leading into this, capital project funding has taken a back seat in funding priorities in order to attempt to maintain current classroom structure.

The school district levy used to be referred to as the “maintenance and operation” levy. Not any more. Time magazine in their latest issue stated that the United States educational system ranks 26th globally; I would hope that Colfax School District is better than that. To quote: “Education is the engine of social mobility and it’s sputtering. Americans have two options: improve our schools or accept a lower standard of living.”

As a 30-plus year member of the Colfax Levy Committee, I urge residents to please put next Monday night on their schedule to help the School Board members determine the best course of action regarding next February’s special levy, so that they don’t ask for “too much”. Keep in mind, the special levy is all about-and for the kids!

Bob Lothspeich,

Colfax