Maintenance & Operations Replacement Levy and School Improvements Bond Election Day: February 9, 2016
Overview Maintenance & Operations Replacement Levy School Improvements Bond – Master Plan Phase I and II – Community involvement – Enrollment projections – Proposed projects – Impact on tax rates Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 2
3 Maintenance & Operations Replacement Levy 4-year replacement levy to replace one approved by voters in 2012 and which expires in 2016 Pays for educational programs and services including: – Teaching – School supplies – Athletics, arts and music – Transportation – Facilities Operations
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 4 Maintenance & Operations Replacement Levy Remember: This is not a new tax! This is a replacement levy from The school levy covers the gap between state funding and the cost of existing education programs. The levy pays for nearly one fourth of the district’s $100 million operating budget.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 5 School Improvements Bond The proposed 2016 school bond is a continuation of facility improvement projects approved by voters in the last school bond in Phase I of the two phases included projects such as construction of the Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) building and renovations at Garfield Elementary and Jefferson Middle School. The district informed voters in 2012 that Phase II projects would address other facility planning needs as identified in the district’s 2011 Master Plan.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 6 School Improvements Bond A 15-member citizen Facilities Advisory Committee began meeting last spring to study facility needs districtwide. The citizens committee recommended against building a 400-student middle school approved by voters in the 2012 school bond. Enrollment did not warrant the additional school at this time. That money has been set aside and will be used along with proposed school bond revenue to increase elementary classroom space. The district held three community forums on facility needs and proposed projects and invited public comment at two school board meetings. We thank the Facilities Advisory Committee for its work!
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 7 Meeting enrollment growth needs and smaller class sizes In the next 10 years, district enrollment is projected to grow by nearly 1,400 students, creating a need for more classrooms and the replacement of aging facilities and equipment. Implementation of Initiative 1351 would have a significant impact on school space % reduction in K-3 class size. 7-11% reduction in grades 4-5 class size % reduction in middle/high school class size.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 8 Proposed school bond projects Create more classroom space by constructing two-story “mini- buildings” at McLane, Roosevelt, Centennial, Pioneer and Hansen elementary schools. The buildings will reduce reliance on portable classrooms. Mini-buildings will contain between 7 and 11 classrooms, have an elevator and stairs, contain a space suitable for band and orchestra class, and have a storage area for music instruments.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 9 Bond projects continued Build a 22-classroom two-story building, including four science labs to address increased state graduation requirements for lab science credits, at Olympia High School. Build a new Capital High School theater to accommodate 500 seats. Convert the current theater into a lecture hall. Update the building’s windows, roofing, and siding.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 10 Bond projects continued Renovate aging Centennial, McLane, and Roosevelt elementary schools. McLane is 28 years old, while Centennial and Roosevelt are 26 years old. Remodel and expand enrollment at Avanti High School. Purchase, update and move district administration to the Olympian building. Replace the roof at Marshall Middle School.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 11 Bond projects continued Complete security camera installations in elementary schools districtwide. Invest in electronic key systems to limit access to schools and initiate a lockdown. Improve some school lighting, and heating, ventilation and cooling systems as part of continued efforts to be environmentally conscious and lower utility usage.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 12 Bond projects continued Improve the safety and playability of play fields for school and community use. This will allow teams to play more hours in the year. Add a synthetic turf field at Capital High School. Add a synthetic turf field to replace a grass field along Henderson Avenue just east of Ingersoll Stadium. Complete renovations at eight other fields and one playground.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 13 What does it cost for both measures? 23 cents more per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Based on the district’s total current (2015) tax rate of $5.23, the bond and levy would result in a new estimated combined tax rate of $5.46 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The estimated tax rate is within two cents of the school district’s projections four years ago when outlining for voters the projected cost for Phase II school improvement projects. The average homeowner of a $250,000 house will pay an estimated $58 more per year, or about $5 per month, for the bond and levy. Exemptions are available for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 14 i Remember The proposed bond addresses: Continued enrollment growth Smaller class sizes School safety and security Aging buildings The cost for both the levy and bond measure is 23 cents more per $1,000 of assessed valuation ─ about $5 more per month for the average homeowner.
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 15 Questions? For more information, visit our district website at osd.wednet.edu. Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 16 Smarter Balanced Assessment 2015 scores: 1) Olympia SD was first in student achievement compared to our neighboring North Thurston and Tumwater school districts in 12 of 13 cells that measure reading, math, and science from grades ) We also were second in relation to our comparison districts based on highest combined state scores. (Comparison districts include Mead, Bellingham, Peninsula, Tumwater, Central Kitsap, Richland, North Thurston, and Battle Ground). 3) We were well above the state results in all grades except 11. Student Achievement Highlights
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 17 Activities and Athletics – outstanding in the arts, athletics, robotics and more! Optional programs for our students throughout all levels. Volunteer base continues to grow: 3,130 volunteers who give thousands of hours each month to help our children. Numerous National Merit Scholars. We thank our community for their ongoing support of student success! Student Achievement Highlights
Creating opportunities and shaping success for all students 18 Maintenance & Operations Replacement Levy Feb Request for 2017 $25,500,000 Tax rate: $3.12 per $1,000 of assessed valuation Feb Request for 2018 $26,300,000 Tax rate: $3.09 per $1,000 of assessed valuation Feb Request for 2019 $27,100,000 Tax rate: $3.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation Feb Request for 2020 $27,900,000 Tax rate: $3.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation