— from Orcas Education Association —
The teachers of Orcas Island School DIstrict would like to ask our community for your support to vote for the replacement Levy for our schools on the Aug. 4 ballot.
This is a Levy that helps to support 20% of our total annual operating costs. Without your support we would be at a great loss. This year’s Levy tax rate estimate may be lower than our current levy rate, so our need is greater for this levy to pass.
63% of this replacement Levy funds our educational enrichment which includes one in five teachers, one in five support staff, athletic programs, music programs, technology and basic education. 24% will support the upkeep of our facilities and our maintenance team and the remaining 13% will support special education. The estimated cost for taxpayers for 2021 and 2022 will be $0.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value and $0.89 per $1,000 for 2023 and 2024. For more information please go to www.Orcasislandschools.org.
Thank you for helping to support our children’s education at Orcas Island School District.
I tried to give this article 5 stars XXXXX but it wouldn’t let me! The program isn’t working. Sorry!
Every year the Orcas Island School district parades out another levy – it has become a yearly event in the hopes that the voters will all join in with funding something else. Just remember last year it was a levy for a new expensive running track. Its only human to want more than you can afford but sometimes a recession steps in to shake us awake.
The times have changed for Orcas and San Juan County. The islands are fully in a recession this year. The school is offering less services due to the pandemic and incomes are becoming leaner for the average Orcan. This levy will cost the average homeowner northward of $500/year. Who has the extra $500 when unemployment is skyrocketing and businesses and tax revenues are falling? Just say “No” to this levy.
First of all the track bond was two years ago. Secondly, this levy replaces an operating/programs levy that is expiring. It is not “funding something new” — it is continued funding for essential aspects of the school district…like teachers. This levy has been in existence for many, many years. What is new is the condition of our world. This pandemic is causing pain for so many. And now, more than ever, staffing and services are critical to having our schools reopen. Losing 20% of funding would make that difficult, if not impossible. Please let’s not make things even worse for our island’s children and their families. Please support the levy.
A Pandemic, a recession, failing businesses, dwindling income, spiraling unemployment the times have changed. Let the School levy “sunset” as it is voted to sunset by the voters. If Islander’s have less money, less work, are unemployed than they can’t pay additional money for a new levy. Period. Sorry. Homeowners are not getting PPP loans or bailed out like San Juan County government is. We all have less money and now the school wants to add more taxes to the average homeowner. Just VOTE “NO.”
It’s bad timing. Kids learning, sort of, online. Time to vote “No” to the OISD levy. Enough with the constant barrage of levies and learn to live within your means when school services are dwindling.
It is not prudent to budget operating expenses with money that you do not yet have. No self-respecting business person would even think of budgeting with money he does not have.
The STATE is supposed to fully fund eduction! Call the Washington State Legislature and tell them to pay our teachers.
This is not new money, this adds nothing new to the tax bills. This is a vote to continue what has been in place for operations for years. At this time the state does not fully fund education. That is a massive issue and the reason why there has to be operations levies. If you vote no the kids lose teachers. A vital part of the community is handicapped. Now more than ever our children need the tools and support to be able to go out and work for the greater good. Why would you vote for an inferior education when these are the people who will be taking care of you later. We should vote to maintain the levy and at the same time commit to working at the state level for just and equitable funding for education for all children. Start where we are and strive to do better. We are a small but mighty county. Let our voices be heard.