The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – In December, the Dayton School Board adopted a resolution to request voter approval for an M&O levy to replace the one that is set to expire this year. The new levy amount will be slightly higher than the one it would replace, increasing from $1,300,000 to $1,460,000.

Ballots were to be mailed to voters on Wednesday, according to County Auditor Sharon Richter.

The M&O levy will help support programs including athletics, food services, and hiring a K-12 school counselor, according to Superintendent Doug Johnson. It will allow for increased funds for maintenance and repairs, and counter the effect of inflation associated with personnel costs, supplies, and other operating costs, he added.

“The M&O Levy accounts for 25% of the budget,” Johnson said. “Without it we would have to make significant changes, starting with personnel.”

Seventy five to 85 percent of the district’s budget goes to salaries for teachers, administrators and support staff, he explained.

The 2017 estimated rate for the levy is $2.03/1,000 of assessed value. In 2018 the estimated rate is $2.09/1,000. In 2019 the estimated rate is $2.15/1,000, and the 2020 estimated rate is $2.21/1,000.

The rates are conservative and they could be lower if there are changes in cCounty assessed property value, due to the tax base from wind turbines, according to Johnson.

Columbia County Assessor Chris Mills said she will not get the actual rates from the state until the end of January.

In December the school board also adopted a resolution concerning a capital levy proposition to finance technology, safety, security, and efficiency improvements.

The capital levy would help address improvements to facilities, including, installing security cameras, updating the communication system, making roof repairs, installing exterior doors, improving the irrigation system, and replacing the asphalt at the bus loading zone and on the elementary school playground.

The capital levy would collect $437,500 each, for 2017 and 2018, at an estimated rate of $0.63/1,000 per assessed value each year.

The capital levy includes $75,000 budgeted for ongoing technology improvements, for which $75,000 would be collected each year for 2019 and 2020, at an estimated rate of $0.11/1,000, for technology only.

The board has approved some reductions and cuts from their original list of projects, at a cost savings of around $250,000. Some of the funds for the current list of projects will come from the increase in M&O funding, according to Johnson.

“We have appreciated the support of the community for years, and years, and years,” said Johnson. “Back in the 70s when the levy failed, the community determined not to let that happen again,” he said. “I want to thank the citizens for past successes. There will be continued opportunities to provide support for the schools.”

Johnson would like people in the community to come and talk to him, and attend board meetings for answers to any questions they might have about the levies.

“I will give them the best answers I can,” he said.

In April, 2015 voters were asked to approve an $800,000 Capital Projects Levy that failed by thirteen votes

County Auditor Sharon Richter said Feb. 9 is the official election day, and that the election result will be determined by a simple majority.