PORT TOWNSEND — Chimacum Schools Superintendent Rick Thompson outlined a proposed replacement levy to the Jefferson Healthcare commissioners, the first of 12 community presentations he has planned for the measure that will be on the Feb. 14 special election ballot.
“We have a great partnership with Jefferson Healthcare,” Thompson told commissioners Wednesday.
“They help us out a lot with immunizations and nursing services. We also both have an interest in keeping families in the community.”
The four-year Educational, Maintenance and Operations levy would replace an expiring levy that voters approved in 2014. Passage would require a 50 percent majority.
“I just want people to know it’s not a bond,” Thompson said. “This funding is different.”
Voters defeated proposed bonds for the district in April and in February 2015.
Levy revenue represents 22 percent of the district’s income, Thompson said.
“The state does really help with funding but it’s just not enough to fund everything,” Thompson said.
If voters approve it, the levy will go toward class size reduction districtwide, transportation, implementation of core curriculum and maintaining grounds and maintenance staff, Thompson said.
“A lot of it is so we can keep offering competitive salaries to attract good teachers,” Thompson said.
The levy is estimated to cost $1.82 per $1,000 assessed valuation in 2018 to raise $3.42 million for the district; $1.90 per $1,000 in 2019 to raise $3.59 million; $1.99 per $1,000 in 2020 to raise $3.77 million and $2.08 per $1,000 in 2021 to raise $3.96 million.
This is the first of many presentations Thompson is making before the levy is to be voted on in February.
On Monday, he’ll be in Port Townsend presenting to the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners during their weekly meeting at 9 a.m. in the basement of the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce at noon at the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
Also Monday, he’ll be presenting to the Evergreen Coho SKP Park in Chimacum at 2481 Anderson Lake Road.
During January, Thompson also will speak in Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock and Nordland, as well as on KPTZ 91.9 FM Radio in Port Townsend.
A full list of dates, times and locations can be found at www.csd49.org, along with more information on the proposed levy.
Thompson offered to make presentations to any other community groups that would like to host him.
“I just really want to get the word out,” Thompson said.
“This is really critical for the district and I just want people to know it’s not a bond; it’s not a new levy. It’s replacing the levy from 2014 which is more than a fifth of our annual revenue.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
