Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
In a wide-ranging meeting of the Colfax school levy committee Monday night, Superintendent Michael Morgan and business manager Reece Jenkin provided information for volunteers aiming for a 2012 levy proposal which will go before the voters.
The committee conducted a public session in the high school library to seek informattion for a levy number to recommend the school board ask voters to approve next February.
The levy approach this year comes after a first version of school levy proposal two years ago failed to win approval from voters in the Colfax district.
Supt. Morgan opened the meeting by explaining that a maintenance and operations levy is intended to fill the gap on what the state pays for and the district’s expenditures.
Jenkin then went over how Gov. Chris Gregoire’s most recent cut proposals would impact Colfax.
If the governor’s proposal to increase class size by two students, from a teacher ratio of 1-26 to 1-28, it could cost Colfax $110,000. Another scenario she put forth, was a proposal for a tiered reduction in Levy Equalization, which would cost Colfax $93,000.
In addition to the potential cuts from the state income, the district faces cost increases.
Jenkin reported that last year the district spent $15,000 more for fuel than the year before. The difference is mainly due to the increased cost of gas; total miles for the two years were 151,000 and 152,000.
As for Gregoire’s proposals for cuts in Levy Equalization, Supt. Morgan said he was not as worried about that as he was two years ago.
The situation the district faces now, he said, is that the last four to five years has been about decreasing costs around the classroom, and then last year the cuts had classroom impact with three teacher layoffs.
Morgan asked the residents what they “consider sacred” in school budget.
He noted that close to 90 percent of Colfax students are involved in some kind of extra-curricular activity.
“If they don’t cut L.E.A, my guess is they’re gonna cut education somewhere,” said Jenkin.
“I think L.E.A. is going to be protected,” said Morgan, citing discussions he’s had with State Rep. Susan Fagan and Sen. Mark Schoesler.
Morgan pointed out the gym now operating at a colder temperature.
“We’re intentionally doing that,” he said, as Jenkin, the head boys basketball coach, who had come to the meeting from practice, sat next to him.
Levy Committee chairman Bob Lothspeich has more than 20 years experience on the levy committee, including 15 as chairman or co-chair.
Lothspeich pointed out from 1992 to 2008, they level of the Colfax school levy dropped below $2.91 per thousand of assessed property valuation. just two times.
Morgan’s chart on a pull-down screen showed statistics back to 1910.
Morgan brought up another proposed option to save money – reducing the school year by one week, which was also proposed by Gregoire. He said that four days could be cut without too much of an effect on curriculum. Also, it would be equitable across the state.
“My desire is that the kids never see the cuts,” Morgan said. “I’m worried about our buildings, the maintenance that we’re not doing.”
He talked about how the heat is kept off for a few more days each fall as the air conditioning is kept off for a few more days each spring.
Members of the public discussed how many community service hours that local kids perform. Jenkin wondered aloud how many extra-curricular activities they have that are not sports. There are 16 clubs listed in the yearbook.
Then they began to discuss the marketing of the levy proposal.
Lothspietch said during prior levy campaigns the committee sent out one-page, two-sided informational flyers to residents with the cost about $600 out of committee funds.
Discussion followed about what to put on the mailer this year.
“Do you put on there the cuts you have (already) made?” asked a voice in the crowd.
Jenkin brought up the potential that the more information you provide, the more questions it can bring which can foster confusion.
Kirby Dailey, one of the unsuccessful school board challengers in the Nov. 8 election, offered to help put together a phone survey. Committee members would call district residents and ask one or two questions. Lothspeich indicated they will go ahead with that suggestion.
Morgan reminded those present that the levy committee is a citizen’s committee that recommends to the school board. He added that a school board has the option of reducing the actual levy if the state funding outlook changes in the months between a levy election and deadline for setting the levy sum that goes out to taxpayers.
Lothspiech commented that it is key to communicate that each new levy is in replacement of the prior levy. He pointed out the actual tax bill faced by individual taxpayers depends on the valuation of their property relative to the total valuation of property in the Colfax School district.
“Turn the heat off in the library, it’s about time for this meeting to end,” Lothspeich wife, Cheryl, noted.
“A cost-cutting measure,” Morgan said.
The levy committee plans to meet again in mid-December and submit its recommended levy figure to the school board before the end of the year.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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