There are two propositions on the ballot for residents of the Camas School District
Dick Rylander
for Clark County Today
On Friday (Jan. 26) ballots will be mailed out for the Feb. 13 special election. There are two propositions on the ballot for residents of the Camas School District. The Pro/Con/Rebuttal statements can be read online at Camas School District Feb. 13 special election levies.
There are two propositions:
Proposition 6 is a Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (called an EP&O levy). The stated intent is to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the district, for educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the state (including salaries and benefits, instructional materials, special education, extracurricular activities, substitute teachers, food service costs).
This is a four-year levy for $80.05 million. The expiring levy was for three years and was $59.03 million. The difference is $21 million (this is partially due to an extra year included this time). The increase in total dollars appears to be about 14 percent.
Proposition 7 is a Replacement Capital Levy for Educational Technology, Health and Safety Improvements. The stated intent of the use of the funds is to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the district, to make district-wide educational technology, health and safety improvements (including upgrading educational technology equipment and infrastructure, replacing or repairing artificial turf, boilers, roofs and other equipment).
What is the difference between an Operations levy and a Capital levy? The Capital levy money is intended for projects like roof replacement, HVAC, technology and similar longer term assets. An operations levy is intended for short term wear and tear expenses. This money can also be used to pay personnel.
What’s the difference between a Levy, Capital Levy and a Capital Bond? Levy’s require a voter approval of 50 percent +1 to pass and the money is normally used to cover general wear and tear expenses (but can also be used to supplement compensation for teachers). Capital Bonds are usually for 20-plus years and require a 60 percent voter approval to pass. A Capital Levy is used for larger expenses but only needs 50 percent +1 to pass.
This levy is for four years in the amount of $17.35 million. The expiring Capital Levy was for three years and was $11.47 million. The only way to compare the two is to use averages for the 3- and 4-year periods. This works out to the replacement capital levy being an increase of approximately 13.45 percent. Student testing performance can be reviewed at the OSPI website: Washington State Report Card – Camas School District. The data provided also covers student headcount trends, expenditure per student and a host of other information. An additional source of OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) can be found at: School Data Project – Camas School District.
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Informative, thank you. ” Levy’s require a voter approval of 50 percent +1 to pass and the money is normally used to cover general wear and tear expenses (but can also be used to supplement compensation for teachers).”
Camas School Calendar showed that school was supposed to open on Monday, August 28, 2023, but it didn’t because the Camas Education Association refused to serve students and open the taxpayer funded schools, and participated in an illegal strike for higher pay instead. This proposed 2024 levy could be used for another raise for teachers who go on illegal strike.
Teacher pay in Camas was high before the illegal strike that prevented students from starting the school year until Sept. 8. Parents had to take vacation or personal time if possible, and for self employed or workers without those perks, they LOST pay to care for their children while Camas teachers were paid during the illegal strike!
Looks like Camas is using the Capital Levy instead of a Capital Bond for long term expenses to avoid the 60% voter approval that a Bond would require.
Over 60% of our property tax bill goes to K-12 schools. On the tax bill, you have to turn to the back to find out that SD117 Camas Schools, AND State schools, AND State Schools Part 2 all go to schools. It doesn’t even spell out that “state schools” is just K-12. On the front side of the tax bill it is just labeled “State” and State Part 2.