Castle Rock School District Look inside……. for detailed information about the upcoming Replacement Levy.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE FUNDING MEASURE FOR CASTLE ROCK SCHOOLS. The Castle Rock School District has a strong history of community support and we thank you for making our schools such a source of pride. These levies help us ensure excellent educational opportunities in a safe and secure environment. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS LEVY This two-year Maintenance and Operations Levy replaces the levy expiring in 2018. These funds maintain day-to-day student programs and services: 

All Athletics



Extra-curricular programs and clubs



Advanced placement courses



Classroom supplies and other non-employee costs



Grounds, utilities, maintenance



Technology support



Professional development and training for staff

$1.50 per $1000 Assessed Value $150,000 home = $18.75/month Current Levy: $2.63 per $1000

$150,000 home = $32.88/month

Ballots arrive by mail January 27-29. Ballots must be returned by February 13

Castle Rock School District | 600 Huntington Ave. S. | Castle Rock, WA. 98611 | P. 360-501-2940 | www.castlerockschools.org

A message from the Superintendent….. We have made great strides to strengthen the school district/cities/communities partnerships within the Castle Rock School District. These partnerships are critical as we work together; quoting our Mission Statement: “Together we inspire pride and achievement for all through relevant learning and great expectations”. Our students need this levy to continue the improvements that we are seeing every day. As you can see from the chart below, Castle Rock tax rates compare favorably to other districts. Thank you for your ongoing support!

CURRENT TAX RATES FOR COWLITZ/LEWIS COUNTIES COWLITZ COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS M & O Levy Castle Rock

$2.63

Capital Project Levy $0.25

Kalama

$1.81

$0.41

Kelso

$3.90

Longview

$3.32

Toutle Lake

$3.01

Woodland

$2.51

Bond

TOTAL $2.88 $2.22

$1.39

$5.29

$0.32

$0.96

$4.50

$0.14

$1.26

$4.27

$1.91

$4.42

LEWIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS



Mossyrock

$2.13

$1.08

$3.21

Napavine

$2.39

$0.90

$3.29

Onalaska

$2.31

Winlock

$2.36

$2.31 $1.61

$3.97

The rate for the levy request is $1.50 per $1000 assessed value, down from $2.63/ $1000.

The Maintenance and Operations Levy is replacing the expiring levy. The rate of $2.63 that has been in place for the past three years will be reduced to $1.50. This is a two-year Levy request. The state has now required no more than $1.50 per $1000 for all school districts.

PLEASE VOTE! BALLOTS WILL BE DUE FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Questions & Answers about the Levy Replacement Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy to Maintain Student Programs and Services. The two-year levy simply replaces the current levy set to expire in 2018 with an actual decrease in rate. The district is asking for a two-year levy to assure financial stability of the district and aid the budget planning. Why do we need an M & O levy? Doesn’t the state pay for education? The state does not fully fund the costs of education. Local funding helps bridge the gap between what the state pays for and what it actually costs to operate schools. Basic education is narrowly defined by the state and therefore does not cover actual costs. M & O dollars are needed to fund programs that directly benefit students, such as: 

Athletics



Extra-curricular programs and clubs



Advanced placement courses



Classroom supplies and other non-employee costs



Grounds, utilities, maintenance



Technology support



Professional development and training for staff

What does the M & O Levy Cost? This is a two-year proposal that will cost property owners an estimated $1.50 per $1000 assessed value. That means the monthly bill for the owner of a $150,000 home would be $18.75, down from the current $32.88 per month.

What will the M & O Levy mean to my overall monthly tax bill?

What percentage of “yes” votes are needed for approval? 50% simple majority is needed for the M &O Levy.

The M&O levy is a replacement of the expiring levy. There will be a decrease in the levy rate of $2.63 per $1,000 of assessed value, dropping down to $1.50. An owner of a $150,000 home would pay $18.75 in school taxes per month, which is significantly less than what you are paying now.

Are tax exemptions available? Disabled persons or those 61 years of age or older may be eligible for a tax exemption. For more information call 360-577-3010 Questions? Call 360-501-2940

PLACE STAMP HERE

Castle Rock School District 600 Huntington Ave. S. Castle Rock, WA. 98611

Postal Patron