||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT |||
Orcas Island School District is placing a Capital Projects and Technology Levy on the ballot for the Special Election of April 27, 2021. Here are answers to questions that Orcas residents may have about this levy, its purpose, and district needs:
Q – Didn’t we just vote on a levy last August?
A – Yes. The levy that Orcas voters approved in August was the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. EP&O levies are an integral part of core school district funding. They provide the funding for the portion of the educational programming that the state has deemed ‘Enrichment’, but that school districts, students, families, and staff believe are crucial to the provision of a complete, well-rounded educational experience.
Q – Why does OISD need another levy?
A – The EP&O levy provides critical support, but the amount we are allowed to collect has been restricted by the State Legislature. The levy passed in August approved the collection of $2.25 million dollars annually for Orcas Island School District, but the new rules put in place by the State will reduce the amount the District is allowed to collect by over a quarter of a million dollars each year. These are funds that the voters authorized, but OISD will not be allowed to collect.
Q- Is this a new levy?
A – Yes and no. For many years, the Orcas Island School District has had an ongoing Capital Projects and Technology Levy, This type of levy must be renewed every 2 to 6 years when it expires, and the renewal is called a Replacement Levy. OISD’s previous levy Capital Projects and Technology levy expired last year, but the decision was made not to put a Replacement Levy on the ballot, in recognition of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there will be no collections during 2021 to provide funds for Capital Projects and Technology expenses. This ‘gap year’ also means that we can’t officially describe this levy as a Replacement Levy, even though it will be reinstating a levy that we have had for many years.
Q – Will I pay more tax this year?
A – No. The collections from this new levy will not begin until 2022. Due to the expiration of the previous Capital Projects and Technology levy at the end of last year, residents may see a reduction in their tax bills in 2021.
Q – What are all the different OISD levies we currently pay and how much are they? What are the current levies and rates in effect for the 2021 calendar year?
- Bond Repayment Levy @ $0.43 per $1000 of assessed property value.
- Track and Athletic Fields Levy @ $0.07 per $1000 of assessed property value.
- Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy @ $0.69 per $1000 of assessed property value.
- The total for all currently active levies is $1.19 per $1000 of assessed value.
*Q – What are the dollar amounts for how the 2021 Tech and Capital Projects levy will be used? For instance, $x for tech infrastructure, $y for hardware, $z for software.
A – Current costs for our technology support team are approximately $170k per year. Apportionment for technology staff is only slightly more than $20k, leaving $150k per year to be covered by the Technology levy. The combined costs for infrastructure (not covered by bond work or other specific project), equipment (including network equipment), and software run approximately $250k per year. The split between them varies, but the 19-20 school year total was $254k, with the following breakdown:
- Infrastructure ~$40k, Equipment ~$177k
- Software (including licenses and fees) ~$37k.
- Apportionment provides less than $100k to cover these costs, leaving more than $150k to be covered by the Technology levy.
Q – When did the school district last go to the voters for technology funds?
A – The most recent technology funding came from the 6-year facilities and technology levy passed in 2014 with 64.85% voter approval, in the amount of $500,000 per year.
Q – Is this levy only for technology?
A – A portion of the funds from the Capital Projects and Technology levy will also allow OISD to complete some of the work that was approved by voters under the recent construction bond, but that was beyond the scope of what costs would allow. It will also allow for ongoing small projects to increase security and protect and preserve the new facilities that we built.
**Q – Please provide details on the specific tech infrastructure that’s being upgraded, the new hardware and software we’re buying, etc.
Ongoing upgrades:
- All Cisco switches were replaced with Meraki cloud manageable devices to increase efficiency. and limit downtime.
- All infrastructure, including switches and phone server, was placed on an uninterruptible power supply battery backup system.
- Meraki gigabit wireless access points were added, replacing the outdated Ubiquity system.
- Analog phones were replaced with Mitel digital sets.
- Student computers were replaced with Chromebook laptops.
- Implementation of mobile computer carts – Chromebook carts.
- Staff was trained on the use of the Google Learning Management System.
- Anticipated upgrades and expenses:
- Additional Meraki MR44 wifi access points to compensate for demand of increased wireless devices.
- Additional Meraki MS250 series cloud managed switches for efficient wired distribution.
- Upgrade of outdated Mitel VOIP phone system.
- Implementation of a campus-wide printing system to replace the discontinued GoogleCloud Print service.
- Replacement of student Chromebook laptops.
- Replacement of staff laptop computers.
- Upgrade of district office and building office administrative staff desktop computers.
- Upgrade current in-wall cat-5 ethernet wiring in district office, elementary and high school buildings.
**Q – What are the Capital Projects for this levy?
- Concrete pads for bleachers
- Bleachers
- Wiring for lighting ticket booth
- Safety lighting around campus
- Campus wide security
- HVAC controls, software and training for maintenance/upgrades
- Alarm Lock Network system (exterior door locks) with remote access
- Exterior cameras with remote capability
Q – How much will the levy cost?
A – Capital Projects and Technology levies are one of the most cost-effective methods of raising funds for school needs. Because the funds are collected annually, not borrowed like bond funds, there is no interest cost. On Orcas Island, we are also lucky to have a very strong assessed value for property, which keeps the cost of levies lower than in most other districts in the State. This levy is projected to cost approximately $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This equals an annual cost of only $76 on a property valued at $400,000.
Q – If my property value increases, will my taxes go up?
A – No. The levy collection is for a set dollar amount, so if the property values increase the mil rate (cents per $1,000 of value) is adjusted downward to achieve the same total dollar amount of collections. Your tax would only increase if your property increases in value.
Q – How can I get more information on the school levy?
A – For more information on the Orcas Island School District levy, contact: Keith Whitaker at kwhitaker@orcas.k12.wa.us or
Eric Webb at (360) 376-1501 or by email at ewebb@orcas.k12.wa.us.
Q – How can I get more information about the Election?
A- San Juan County Elections Office will be mailing ballots to Orcas voters on or about April 6, 2021. Ballots are due back by Election Day, April 27, 2021. Voters questions should be directed to SJC Elections Office at 360-378-3357 or elections@sanjuanco.com.
A – No. The levy collection is for a set dollar amount, so if the property values increase the mil rate (cents per $1,000 of value) is adjusted downward to achieve the same total dollar amount of collections. ***Your tax would only increase if your property increases in value relative to other properties.
More information can be found online at SJC Elections
This answer to the following question makes no sense.
Q – If my property value increases, will my taxes go up?
A – No. The levy collection is for a set dollar amount, so if the property values increase the mil rate (cents per $1,000 of value) is adjusted downward to achieve the same total dollar amount of collections. Your tax would only increase if your property increases in value.
Peter,
The mill rate (amount of money taxed per $1000 valuation) is derived from the total assessed value at the time the levy is proposed and is based on the fixed total of the levy ask.
If property values increase, the calculated mill rate ends up lower, because the total amount approved via the vote is a fixed amount.
I.e. if property values doubled 2 days after the levy was passed, the school would not get twice the money. Your mill rate would just be half of what was advertised.
The apparent contradiction in the answer to the question of changes in assessed value is due to an errant edit. The text should read, “Your tax would only increase if your property increases in value RELATIVE TO OTHER PROPERTIES.”
If your assessed valuation changes by the same average percentage as the island as a whole, you will not see an increase. If your assessed value goes up by significantly more or less than other properties, your actual tax could increase or decrease as a result.