Newport voters to decide on levy Feb. 14

by Judd Wilson Staff Writer
| February 4, 2017 12:00 AM

NEWPORT — Voters in the Newport School District will soon have their say on a proposed three-year, $5.3 million maintenance and operations supplemental levy.

Ballots will be mailed out Jan. 26-28 and must be returned by Feb. 14.

According to the school district, “This levy allows us to provide quality educational opportunities for the students of our community. Allowing us to maintain existing programs as well as staffing levels. State funding does not adequately fund current programs and services and levy funds ensure that we can maintain these quality programs. The loss of a levy and matching funds would significantly impact NSD operations and require reductions in programs and staffing.”

Voter approval of the levy will qualify the school district for $440,145 in state matching funds. The state match is available to school districts with assessed property values below the state average, and whose voters have approved levies.

According to the school district, its mill rate of just over $2 per $1,000 of assessed property value is better than many nearby school districts, including Chewelah, Deer Park, and Colville.

The three-year levy will annually allocate $468,140 to staffing, $408,500 to extracurricular programs, $205,000 to technology, $141,000 to curriculum and assessment, and $56,000 to safety and security. Facilities and buildings will receive $286,305 in year one, $288,305 in years two and three. School programs such as the skills center, student transportation, and child nutrition services will receive $169,500 in year one, $193,500 in year two, and $220,000 in year three. Totals for each year amount to $1,734,445 in year one, $1,760,445 in year two, and $1,786,945 in year three.

According to the school district, this levy will not increase homeowners’ current tax rates, but simply replace the current levy which is due to expire at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

For more information, go to www.newport.wednet.edu/page/241 or call Newport School District Superintendent Dave Smith at 509-447-3167.