The Feb. 14 special election brings forward two issues that need the support of Sequim School District voters: the education programs and operations (EP&O) levy and the capital projects levy.
Washington state does not fully fund the cost of basic education but does allow school districts to ask local voters for funds to supplement this shortfall.
• The EP&O levy was approved by voters in 2013 and must be renewed by voters to continue to provide 22 percent of the school district’s daily operating budget.
Without this funding, the impact will be catastrophic.
For example, class sizes will increase, full-time nursing services in the district will be limited and facility maintenance will be curtailed.
The estimated tax rate for the EP&O levy would be lower than the present rate because property values have risen in the past few years.
• The capital projects levy, the second ballot issue, provides funding for repurposing school buildings.
The Sequim School District owns buildings built in 1949 that are presently vacant because they are unsafe.
This levy money would fund demolition of the unused portion of the community school and qualify the district for $4.3 million in matching state funds for very necessary new construction.
Both the EP&O and capital projects levy are critical for the health of our school district.
Please give your support to these ballot issues with a yes vote and deposit your ballot in the drop box by J.C. Penney Co. in Sequim before Feb. 14.
Judith Parker,
Sequim