BALLOT TITLE
LAKE OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE YEAR LOCAL OPTION LEVY
QUESTION: Shall the District levy $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value to support operations for five years beginning in 2000-01? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
SUMMARY: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout.
The recently approved local option allows school districts, for the first time in ten years, to ask voters to approve additional operating funds for their local schools.
The District will use levy proceeds to maintain current services, rebuild some instructional programs and services eliminated since 1990, and add new programs and teachers.
A rate of $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value is estimated to raise $3,850,000 in 2000-01, $4,100,000 in 2001-02, $4,300,000 in 2002-03, $4,550,000 in 2003-04, and $4,750,000 in 2004-05, for a total of $21,550,000 over five years.
The amount of revenue the District can receive under this measure, together with State funding, is capped by law. If changes in property values or other factors create the potential for more revenue than allowed, the District would reduce its rate to stay within cap limits. Under current limits, rate reductions are expected in years two through five of the levy period. The annual rate will not exceed $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The District will retire debt at the end of the 1999-00 fiscal year, reducing taxes for 2000-01 by approximately $.60 per thousand of assessed value. The local option levy would produce a maximum net increase in taxes of approximately $.60 per thousand of assessed value over present rates.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Lake Oswego School District is requesting voter approval of a five-year local option operating levy beginning in 2000-01 thatwould cost homeowners a maximum of $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value per year. The local option levy would provide the Lake Oswego School District with approximately $3.8 million per year for operations.
How Much
Legislation limits the amount of revenue the Lake Oswego School District can receive from the local option and State funding. If changes in property values or other factors create the potential for more revenue than allowed, the District would reduce its local option tax rate in order to keep revenue within defined limits. Under current limits, reductions are expected in years two through five of the local option period.
Property would be taxed a maximum rate of $1.18 per $1,000 of assessed value. The owner of a $300,000 home would pay a maximum of approximately $30 per month or $354 per year for the local option levy.
Because of debt retiring at the end of this school year, the maximum net increase in taxes for 2000-01 would be approximately $.60 per $1,000 of assessed value. The owner of a $300,000 home would pay a maximum net increase over present rates of approximately $15 per month or $180 per year for the local option levy.
Why
Since Measure 5 passed in 1990, the State's funding formula has resulted in a significant reduction in resources for Lake Oswego students. The school district has made substantial cuts in programs and services as a result: Class sizes have increased by four students per class. High school teachers teach 150 students. A class period was eliminated from the junior high school schedule. High school Latin, Russian, metal shop, woodshop, auto, drafting and building construction have been eliminated. The district has seen reductions in counseling, special education, physical education, librarians, music, technology, business, and foreign language. Administrative positions have been eliminated, athletic fees have increased, and building maintenance has been deferred.
What
Annual proceeds from the local option levy would be used to support the following types of expenditures:
- Approximately $1.8 million would be used to rebuild some of the instructional programs and services that have been eliminated since 1990, and to add new educational programs and teachers.
- The district would allocate $1 million to cover the ongoing costs of student textbooks, computer technology, instructional supplies and equipment, essential maintenance, and operational supplies and equipment. A facilities and equipment bond that expires at the end of this school year has supported these expenditures for the past three years.
- The City of Lake Oswego currently provides the district with $1 million per year from a serial levy for after-school athletics and activities. The city plans to discontinue its financial support of these programs. $1 million would be allocated to replace these funds. Students would continue to be charged participation fees to cover the additional costs of these programs.
Submitted by
James D. Zupancic,
School Board Chairman
No arguments FOR or AGAINST this measure were filed.