2012-14  School Maintenance & Operations Levy Renewal

Message from the Superintendent Levy Facts Timeline Register to Vote
 
Thank you Zillah Community for your support of our children and our schools!
 
See Levy Dollars at Work in:

Academics

Zillah School District Levy dollars are used to enhance academic programs that are not fully funded by the state.

Activities

Zillah School District Levy dollars are used to support student activities that promote student recognition, student leadership, student health, student service, student safety and student character.

Athletics

Zillah School District Levy dollars are used to support Zillah High School and Zillah Middle School athletic programs.

Extended Learning Opportunities

Zillah School District Levy dollars support student field trips and learning experiences outside the classroom

Fine Arts

Zillah School District Levy dollars are used to support Fine Arts programs at all schools in music, choir, band and drama.

"It's all for the children..."

A message from our Superintendent

The past two years have gone by very quickly and it is time again to prepare for the upcoming Maintenance and Operations Levy.  The Levy is a replacement of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 Levy that is set to expire at the end of the 2012 calendar year.  As we plan for the financial future of the District we must analyze and project the maintenance and operational needs of the District through the end of the year 2012.  Planning ahead for this period of time is critical if we want to continue to provide the students of the Zillah School District a high quality education.
 
During the next few months leading up to the February 14, 2012 election the Zillah School District Board of Directors and the Community Levy Committee will be asking for your input.  Your input is extremely important to the Board as they have the duty of submitting a Levy proposal to the voters on a ballot measure.  It is the Board’s responsibility to operate and maintain the current educational programs, evaluate new proposals and at the same time balance the financial challenges that many of our patrons face.
 
Citizens of the Zillah School District have been very supportive in past Levy elections.    The District and Board will once again be very diligent and conservative with the preparation of a responsible Levy proposal. 
 
The Levy for calendar years 2010-12 was in the amount of $725,000.  Levy dollars provide financial support in four general categories:  instruction, operations, facilities/maintenance and extra curricular activities.
 
Instruction:
            Full Day Kindergarten
            Alternative Education-ZAP
            Summer School & After School Programs
            Smaller Classes
            Field Trips and Assemblies
            Instruction Specialist in Fine Arts, Physical Education and Character Education
            Advanced courses in math, science, social studies and English
            Instructional materials-textbooks, supplies and materials
            Staff Development-training, supplemental work days
            Equipment-computers, audio/video systems, copy machines, furniture
 
Operations:
            Custodial-staff, equipment, supplies, materials
            Utilities
            Insurance
            Legal Assistance
            Maintenance-staff, equipment, supplies, materials
            Transportation-buses, vans, cars, extra curricular trips, drivers
Security and Safety Systems
 
Facilities and Maintenance
            Equipment-tools, vehicles, fuel
            Grounds-mowers, irrigation systems, fertilizing, liter control
            Buildings-HV/AC, repairs, carpets, paint
            Technology-computers, student data, repairs, trouble shooting, monitoring
 
Extra Curricular
            Advisors/Coaches-stipends, supplemental contracts
            Additional teams, sports
            Mighty Leopards
            Drama, Pep Band
            Travel-transportation, meals, lodging
            Equipment
            Field maintenance
            Security
 Kevin McKay, Superintendent
Budgetary Note: The information regarding the M & O Levy and the programs that it supports is based on our current level of funding from all sources.  If additional cuts are handed down from state or federal levels, this could impact the use of Levy funds to support current programs.  The ZSD will always do the best it can to continue support of programs; however if cuts are made from other sources Levy support allocations may require modification.  It is highly recommended that all citizens contact their elected officials to share their concerns and views regarding funding of public education.
 
Contact State Officials: Please be polite, concise and business about your concerns.  Consider weekly contact to help keep your opinions in front of the officials. To contact your lawmakers and let them know what is important to you go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=15  or
    
Senator Jim Honeyford 360.786.7684 or .800.562.6000 honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov
    
Representative Bruce Chandler 360.786.7960 or 800.562.6000 chandler.bruce@leg.wa.gov
    
Representative David Taylor 360.786.7874 or 800.562.6000 taylor.david@leg.wa.gov
    
Mr. Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction 360.725.6000 Randy.Dorn@k12.wa.us       
    
Governor Christine Gregoire 360.902.4111 www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp  

 

ZILLAH SCHOOL DISTRICT # 205

 

“Educational Excellence for Everyone”

2012-14 Zillah School District Maintenance and Operations Levy
Question  & Answer Fact Sheet
 
Download a copy of the 2012 Fact Sheet here 
 
What is a Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy? 
A Maintenance and Operations Levy is a special property tax that allows citizens a way to fund school programs not covered by state or federal dollars.  The approval of the M&O Levy in the Zillah School District allows the district to continue to maintain and operate educational programs to their current status.  The M&O Levy is not a new tax; it is a replacement (renewal of previously passed levy) tax that voters approve every two years. 
 
What is the length, the amount and property tax rate of the proposed Maintenance and Operations Levy? 
On December 19, 2011 the Zillah School District Board of Directors approved by resolution a levy amount of $775,000 for tax years 2012-13 and 2013-14. 
 
Levy Data:
Current levy amount:                                      $725,000
Current rate/$1000:                                         $2.12
Current levy tax on $100,000 home:              $212.00/year
 
Proposed levy amount:                                   $775,000
Proposed rate/$1000:                                      $2.24
Proposed levy tax on $100,000 home:            $224.00/year
 
Increase from current to proposed:                 $50,000
Increase rate/$1000:                                        $.12
Increase levy tax on $100,000 home:             $12.00/year
 
If you have concerns, questions or comments with the Board’s resolution  please contact Board Secretary, Kevin McKay at 829-5911 or mckay_k@zsd.wednet.edu.  
Why is there a need to increase the Levy?
In order for the Zillah School District to continue to operate and maintain current educational programs it must have additional funding or will be forced to reduce or eliminate non basic education programs.  The cost to operate educational programs continues to rise and at the same time the funding from state and federal sources continues to decline.  Just like home and business owners, schools face rising operational and maintenance costs.  Costs for insurance, utilities, goods and services, fuel, supplies and materials are all going up each year. 
 
What is levy equalization and how does it impact the Zillah School District?      
Levy equalization provides funds to low property valuation school districts.  The Zillah School District is considered by the state to be a low property valuation district.  School Districts must pass their levy in order to receive the state equalization funds.  The Zillah School District would receive approximately $1,000,000 in levy equalization funds each year from the state.
 
What is the history of the Zillah School District Maintenance and Operations Levy? 
The patrons of the Zillah School District have the tradition of supporting their schools as evident by the Levy election results listed below.

Election Date

Passed Percentage

2/2/1982

63.3%

2/8/1983

74.1%

2/7/1984

77.5%

2/4/1986

77.5%

2/2/1988

69.0%

2/6/1990

83.6%

2/4/1992

86.2%

2/8/1994

78.5%

2/6/1996

73.1%

4/28/1998

67.7%

2/29/2000

60.4%

2/5/2002

69.6%

2/3/2004

63.3%

2/7/2006

65.5%

2/19/2008

64.6%

2/9/2010

70.69%

How do the Zillah School District rates compare to other school districts?

2010-11 levy tax rate:

East Valley

$2.77

Grandview

$1.71

Granger

$2.42

Highland

$3.25

Naches

$3.06

Selah

$3.43

Sunnyside

$1.21

Toppenish

$2.06

Union Gap

$2.79

West Valley

$2.81

Yakima

$2.88

Zillah

$2.05

 

 
When will voters be asked to vote on the Maintenance and Operations Levy?  
The Zillah School District’s Maintenance and Operations Levy Election is part of the February 14, 2012 Special Elections. This is an all mail in election.  Ballots will be mailed to registered Zillah School District voters on or about January 22, 2012. 
 
What does the Zillah School District use the levy funds for?
Funds raised by the M&O Levy are used to fully or partial fund the following
 
Instruction:
                        Full Day Kindergarten
                        Smaller class size
                        Fine Arts, Physical Education and Character Education classes
                       Advanced courses in math, science, social studies and English
                       Summer school & after school programs 
                        Field trips
                        Instructional materials-textbooks, supplies and materials
                        Staff development-training, supplemental work days
                        Alternative education
                        Equipment-computers, audio/video systems, copy machines, furniture 
Operations:
                        Custodial-staff, equipment, supplies, materials
                        Utilities
                        Insurance
                        Legal Assistance
                        Maintenance-staff, equipment, supplies, materials
                        Transportation-buses, vans, cars, extra-curricular trips, drivers
                        Security and Safety Systems  
Facilities and Maintenance:
                        Technology-computers, student data, repairs, trouble shooting, monitoring             
                        Equipment-tools, vehicles, fuel
                        Grounds-mowers, irrigation systems, fertilizing, litter control
                        Buildings-HV/AC, repairs, carpets, paint             
Extra Curricular:
                        Middle School and High School Athletics
                        Mighty Leopards
                        Drama, Pep Band
                       Advisors/Coaches-stipends, supplemental contracts
                        Travel-transportation, meals, lodging
                        Equipment
                        Field maintenance
                        Security
 
Need more information?
 
Use the Zillah School District Levy Website:  www.zillahschools.org/ZSD/levy.htm or contact Kevin McKay, ZSD Superintendent at 829-5911

 

 

 

ZILLAH SCHOOL DISTRICT # 205

 

“Educational Excellence for Everyone”

 

Timeline

Maintenance and Operations Levy Schedule
Registering to Vote
 
All citizens living within the legal boundaries of the ZSD may vote if they are registered and meet minimum qualifications of:
  • a citizen of the United States by birth or naturalization.
  • being eighteen years old on or before election day.
  • not be denied your civil rights as a result of a felony conviction.
Students who will be 18 year of age or older on February 14 may vote in the levy election if they register by mail by January 14.
 
To Register:  Mr. John Griffin of ZHS is a voter registrar for Yakima County.  You can pick voter registration forms from him or  you may print out the on-line form at www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/pdf/2007/MI-VRCard.pdf.   You can also obtain a mail-in voter registration form from one of many locations throughout the county. Sites include: City Halls, Schools, State Agencies. 
 
Need more information about your status as a registered voter?   Yakima County has a special website www.yakimacounty.us/vote/english/How_To_Register.htm (English) or Español (for Spanish) to find out about:

New Registration: This link will take you to the Secretary of States website, where you will find detailed requirements and information regarding necessary ID. Once you get to the Secretary of States website, click on "online voter registration" to register to vote.

Change My Name: A new registration form will need to be completed so that we may obtain your updated signature.  Click on the above link which will take you to the Secretary of State’s website and complete the online voter registration form. Keep in mind that the signature used for your registration is the current signature on your driver’s license or ID card.  If you have not updated your driver’s license or ID card please print a paper registration form.

Change My Address: Option 1:  Complete the online voter registration form found by clicking on the above link.  This form will be forwarded to our office and your voter registration will be updated.  You should receive a new Voter Registration Card in the mail approximately three (3) weeks after you’ve completed the form. 

Option 2:  Call (509-574-1340 or 1-800-833-0569) or e-mail (kathyfisher@co.yakima.wa.us) our office with your new address.  We will also need your name, date of birth and prior address.  You may also change the address for any of your immediate family members.

Verify My Voter Registration: Remember you only need to register once.  As long as we haven’t received any undeliverable mail from your address during the past four years you will remain on the registry.  The above link will allow you to verify the information we currently have on file.  If you need to change your name or address, please follow the appropriate instructions above.

Restoring Your Right to Vote: If your right to vote has been denied due to a felony, the above link will provide you with detailed information regarding the restoration of those rights.

You may also register in person at the Yakima County Auditor's Office, Election Division Room 117, Yakima County Courthouse, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 
REMEMBER - You must register 30 days (January 13th for the February 14th levy election) prior to the next election in order to be eligible to vote at the polls. After the 30 day cut-off you can still vote absentee by registering in person at the Auditor's Office up to 15 days prior (January 31st) to the election.
We encourage to VOTE!
by February 14, 2012
If you have anything you would like to comment on, please send the superintendent an email message.

© Zillah School District #205