An in-depth look at the two levy requests put before voters by the Washougal School District
Editor’s note: Former Clark County Councilor and long-time Clark County resident Dick Rylander conducts a great deal of research on public education in the area, region and state and shares his findings on his blog, swweducation.org. Rylander recently compiled in-depth analysis on the levy requests on the Feb. 14 special election ballot from the Vancouver, Washougal and Woodland school districts. Here is the information he has gathered on the two levy requests made by the Washougal School District.
Washougal School District has two (2) items on the February 14 special election ballot. The first is a new Enhanced Operations Levy and the other is a new Capital Levy for Technology, Health and Safety.
In this article, we’ll share links to the Clark County Elections Department, the Washougal School District and provide some analysis to try and clear up any gray areas. If you don’t want to click the links and do a deep dive we’ll share the essentials below. Let’s get started.
Clark County Elections Dept link: EP&O Levy statement (Proposition 10): https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-12/Washougal%20School%20District%20No.%20112-6%20-%20Resolution%20No.%202022-23-03%20%28Proposition%20No.%2010%29_0.pdf
Clark County Elections Dept link: Technology, health and safety Capital Levy (Proposition 11) – https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-12/Washougal%20School%20District%20No.%20112-6%20-%20Resolution%20No.%202022-23-04%20%28Proposition%20No.%2011%29_0.pdf
Washougal School District website: http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/district-budget-information/levy/
Clark County Elections Voters pamphlet (online version): https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-12/Washougal%20School%20District%20No.%20112-6%20-%20Prop%20No.%2010%20-%20Replacement%20Educational%20Programs%20and%20Operations%20%26%20Prop%20No.%2011%20-%20Replacement%20Capital%20Levy%20for%20Educational%20Tech%2C%20Health%20and%20Safety%20Imp%20%20.pdf
So let’s get to the essentials in case you don’t want to work through all the links.
There are two propositions: 10 and 11. Following is the essential info on each:
Proposition 10: Enhanced Operations Levy
Discussion:
- We all understand the need for money to stay even with inflation. We all understand the need to support students with good tools.
- We all want the very best for our children. We love great teachers.
- They want you to focus on the “rate” per $1000 of assessed value which is a red herring. You need to focus on the amount of money they are asking for. If your property value goes up the “rate” goes down but the amount of money collected stays the same. If your property value drops the “rate” goes up but the amount collected stays the same. They want to use a magician’s trick and direct your attention in one area while the sleight of hand is done.
- Test scores are poor: 46.7% are failing ELA (English Language Arts); 62.7% are failing math and 52.9% are failing science. For all the money you give them the scores continue to fall…why throw more good money after bad?
- Student population has fallen 6.1% in the past 3 years.
- The amount spent per student has doubled in the last 10 years. The average across the State is approaching $20,000 per student.
- Over 52% of your current property taxes go to schools…how much more is needed and what will the outcomes you can measure be?
Proposition 11
Discussion:
- This “capital levy” is a 246% increase
- You are being asked to approve two (2) levy’s totalling over $40 million. Rather than ask 1x they split to make it appear the amounts are smaller.
- See the comments above
Summary:
- The real questions?
- Can you afford to pay more?
- Are you getting the results you expect and should from all the money spent?
Here are links to other articles about the WSD:
Other data and information sources:
Also read:
- Clark County small businesses urge legislature to reject state income tax
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A public-private partnership between Clark County and Comcast has expanded high-speed broadband access to nearly 500 rural homes northeast of Battle Ground Lake. - City of Washougal seeking vendors for 2026 Community Market Season
The city of Washougal is inviting farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians to apply for the expanded 2026 Washougal Community Market season at Reflection Plaza. - Trophy games: Columbia River boys finish fifth, Evergreen girls take sixth at state tournaments
Columbia River’s boys and Evergreen’s girls both reached the final day of their state basketball tournaments, returning to Vancouver with fifth- and sixth-place trophies. - Opinion: Gov. Ferguson has abandoned his own tax relief demands
Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that Gov. Bob Ferguson’s support for the state’s proposed income tax contradicts his earlier demands for broader taxpayer relief. - Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans
Lawmakers in several states are considering new laws affecting teacher strikes as debates grow over labor rights and disruptions to public education. - WA GOP lawmakers press schools chief on gender identity disclosure policies
Washington House Republicans are asking Superintendent Chris Reykdal to explain state guidance on gender identity disclosure following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
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