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02-04-2010

Levy/Bond special election ballots must be postmarked by February 9

The Shoreline School Board has approved three proposals to be placed on the ballot at a special election February 9, 2010. This is an all-mail election. Ballots must be postmarked by that date. Please vote on both sides of your ballot. 

The only ballot drop boxes remaining in King County are at the County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle, or at King County Election headquarters, 9010 East Marginal Way South in Tukwila.

The District has paid off many of its previous bond commitments, creating the capacity to sell additional bonds without increasing payment obligations for taxpayers.  The District projects that the passage of all three measures will not increase the tax bills for our average resident of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park.

King County Elections Information on the three proposals

Video presentation on bond/levy proposals with Superintendent Sue Walker. 

February 9, 2010 Bond/Levy facts (pdf) 

• A four-year replacement of expiring levy for educational programs, maintenance and operations levy. The levy averages $22 million per year for each of the four years, 2011 through 2014. The maintenance and operations levy, which replaces the four-year levy passed by voters in 2006, would provide the district with about 20 percent of its general operating budget.

• A $150 million bond for the modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The 2006 bond approved by voters included funds for the planning and design for the two high school projects, but not for the actual construction costs.

• A four-year capital levy for technology improvements and support. This levy would support the District’s instructional technology program and services and technology equipment replacement.

If all three proposals are approved, the estimated new combined levy and bond rate in 2011 and 2012 would be $5.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, and a stable $5.15 in the years following. Current 2010 rates are $5.29 per $1,000, so this represents no change to the average taxpayer.

2010 Levy/Bond Proposals Presentation (pdf)

Proposition 1 – Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations

The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire next year. These are the projected levy amounts beginning in 2011:

The current levy, which is expiring, funds basic education programs, as well as nurses, family advocates, librarians and instructional materials. Funds are also used to support extra-curricular student activities, including music, drama and athletics.  The levy helps fund special education, highly capable, remedial and vocational education programs, maintenance, utilities, and transportation.

King County Elections information for Proposition 1

Proposition 2 – Bonds for Replacement/Modernization of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools

As approved by the voters in 2006, the Shoreline School District has been planning for modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The School Board adopted educational goals for the projects. The Shorecrest and Shorewood design teams were made up of faculty, staff and parents from each high school and community representatives from each of the middle schools and elementary schools in the respective sides of the District. Each team held three community meetings to gather input from the public, which the architects used to help create the preferred designs for Shorecrest and Shorewood.

Upon passage, the district would be authorized to sell up to $150 million in bonds. The district would make annual payments on the principal and interest to bond purchasers through proceeds from annual property taxes. The timeline for completion of both Shorecrest and Shorewood is summer 2013.

King County Elections information for Proposition 2

Proposition 3—Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support

This levy would provide a funding source for technology in all aspects of the district’s program.  Currently, the general fund is required to support approximately $2 million in expenses annually.  Such expenses include  software, licenses, subscriptions,  technology equipment replacement,  professional development and training for staff, and  infrastructure to support current and emerging information technology.

King County Elections Information for Proposition 3

To validate these levy and bond proposals, 40 percent of those voting in the November 2009 general election must vote. The two levies require a simple majority to pass, the bonds require a 60-percent majority for approval.

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