Tacoma School Levy Campaign Kicks Off As Schools Face Potential 8.3% Reduction in State Funding

dynamic, election, feature 2, Learn, levy, news, promoted, Schools, Tacoma, Talk - By jenyum1 on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 12:50

This Saturday, more than 200 people crowded in to a meeting room at Urban Grace Church to kick off the 2010 School Levy Campaign. On February 9th, Tacoma voters will decide the fate of 22% of the district's operating budget, as well as capital levy funding for construction or renovation of three schools, and small projects throughout the district.

Former School Director and campaign co-chair Willie Stewart began the proceedings, introducing former Mayor Bill Baarsma, and current Mayor Marilyn Strickland. All spoke of their experiences as former Tacoma Public Schools students. Also in attendance was long-time Tacoma school booster Betty Drost, who recalled her many decades of campaigning for school levies and bonds. "The way we passed these levies then was with personal connections - one voter at a time. We called our neighbors one by one and reminded them how important these measures are."

This December, all Tacoma Public School students went home for winter break with a description of the measures, and how capital levy funding would effect their school building. For example, Grant Center for the Expressive Arts will receive badly needed new playground equipment, and Washington Elementary (the oldest school building in the district) will be fully modernized.

Operations levy dollars will be especially crucial to District budgeting this year, as the Washington State Legislature has just begun its session facing a governor's budget that proposes deep cuts in K-12 education, including all-day kindergarten and funding for small class sizes. According to the Tacoma Public Schools Public Information Office, the Governor's proposed budget, if enacted, would result in an 8.3% (or $15 million) reduction in state education funds presently allocated to the Tacoma Public Schools. The Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy will be responsible for an additional 22% of the districts day to day operating budget, including basics such as textbooks and curriculum materials.

Election day is February 9th. Polling places will be open, for those who do not vote by mail.
Voters Pamphlet
School District Levy Information
Tacoma Citizens for Schools (official school levy campaign site)

- Jennifer Boutell