Hood River County School District Local Option Levy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2008

1.       What is a Local Option Levy?  How much will it cost?

--A Local Option Levy is a temporary additional property tax, which would be approved in an election by the voters of Hood River County.

--This is an operating levy, with funds to be used for ALL of the School District’s programs.

--This Local Option is requested for five years—2008-2012.

--The proposed rate would not exceed $1.25/$1000 of assessed valuation, or $192 per year for a property assessed at the Hood River County average of $153,647. However, many property owners will not pay the full amount. Each property owner may check his/her property tax statement and use a worksheet to calculate the added tax, if any, to be paid for each piece of property (use the on-line calculator or worksheet at http://www.hoodriver.k12.or.us ).

--The 2004-07 Local Option expired in November 2007.  Renewing the Local Option will NOT increase school property taxes above the 2007 rate.

2.        What will the money be used for?

The Local Option funds will probably allow the district to run this year’s programs, including most or all academic, activities and sports programs even when State School Funds are insufficient.

The levy will probably allow the district to maintain current programs such as:

--a full school year

--middle and high school sports and activities

--technology for students will be updated as equipment and software become obsolete

--most or all course offerings this year can be maintained

--current average class sizes at all levels can be maintained

Programs for future years are dependent on the State School Fund set by the Oregon Legislature.  If State School Funding increases enough,  the Local Option Levy might not be needed. State School funds change every year, so predicting what the Local Option Levy will protect from reductions is very hard.

3.       Would the Local Option Levy Funds increase the amount of money available for Hood River County schools?

–Most local sources of revenue (like local property taxes and Federal Forest fees) are equalized by State School funds—more local taxes are balanced by less State School Funds; less local taxes are balanced with more State School Funds.

--BUT Local Option funds do not affect the State School Fund allocation—the School District would get full State School Funds, PLUS the Local Option dollars.

--HRCSD will also receive an added amount from the state to match Local Option dollars—in 2007, 38% of the Local Option property taxes were added by the state.

4.        What evidence tells us that the School District provides quality programs for our students and gets good results?

--Student learning continues to improve, as measured by state tests.

--72% of students in 2006-07 completed Advanced Placement, & other advanced courses.

--85% of HR Valley High 2007 graduates went on to a university, college or community college.

--69% of HR Valley High 2007 graduates earned a scholarship to attend post-high-school education.

--Over 67% of voters polled in spring 2008, rated the School District as “Excellent” or “Very Good”—among the top 3% of all school districts surveyed in 2004.

5.       Why are both a Construction Bond Levy and a Local Option Levy needed?

The Construction Bond Levy is needed to renovate, remodel and add learning space to our schools.  A Bond Levy is like a second mortgage—it provides funds to maintain and upgrade our school buildings.  Bond funds cannot be used for operating expenses, only facilities.  In contrast, a Local Option Levy is an operating levy and can be spent on any of the expenses of the district, including staff, textbooks, and technology.

Frequently Asked Questions For the Local Option Levy

6.       How does the School District support the local economy?

Investing local dollars in local schools provides local jobs and supports economic growth.

--The School District is the largest year-round employer in the county, and most District jobs provide family wages and good benefits.  Local Levy funds would maintain local jobs.

--Businesses and families looking to relocate seek communities with good schools.

7.       When are ballots due?

Be sure to mail in or deliver your ballot so that is it RECEIVED in the county election office by May 20, 2008. Postmarks DON’T count.

April 29 is the last day for new Oregon voters to register (those who have not been registered in Oregon or were cancelled) and postmarks are allowed. If a person has an active or inactive registration anywhere in Oregon and just needs to update information that may be done through Election Day until 8:00 pm  In all cases, a voter registration card must be completed; registration cards are available at all schools and offices.

8.       This measure would collect taxes for five years—what if the Oregon Legislature allocates sufficient money for schools ?  Will the Local Option tax be levied anyway?

The Budget Committee, a community oversight committee composed of the seven Board members and seven appointed community members, sets the amount of property tax to be levied each year. If the funds are not needed, they will not be collected.  The district never collected the full $1.50/$1000 from the last 2005-07  Local Option: only $1.00 in 2005, $.75 in 2006 and $1.25 in 2007.

9.       Are there are too many administrators in the school district?

HRCSD has only two more administrative staff (support staff and administrators) that it had in 1982, when the District enrolled 1,000 fewer students and had 35% fewer employees.  Compared to ten other districts with similar student enrollment (Central Point, Crook County, Eagle Point, Hermiston, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Oregon Trail, Parkrose, Sherwood, Silver Falls ), HRCSD has the same number or fewer District Office Administrators (5). HRCSD spends 15% less than the state average on central administration.

10.   In budget crunches, why does the District target student programs?  Can’t something else be cut?

Because 84% of the District’s budget is spent on employee salaries and benefits, it’s difficult to reduce by any large amount and not cut personnel who serve students.

11.   Will this money be used to build more schools?

No.  This money will be used only for operating expenses.  Most of the schools in the District were financed by bonds, and bonds can be used ONLY for construction costs.  The newest schools in the District are Hood River Valley High and Westside Elementary, completed in 1970.  Seven of the 13 district buildings were constructed prior to World War II and are still in use today.

12.   We don’t have any kids in school—why should we pay taxes to educate someone else’s family?

The economic health of Hood River County depends on having good schools.  The School District is the largest employer in the county; our local small businesses depend on spending by school district employees.  Businesses and families looking to relocate will select communities with good schools and a local supply of well-educated workers.

Because a democracy depends on well-educated citizens, and our economy depends on highly trained workers, it’s everybody’s job to assure that Hood River County students get a first-class education.

13.   If the Local Option Levy doesn’t pass, what will be cut from the budget?

The Board has not yet decided on the package of reductions.  Some things that may be considered are cutting student technology upgrades of obsolete equipment, cutting days of school, and cutting staff positions.

Call or e-mail Superintendent Pat Evenson-Brady- (pebrady@hoodriver.k12.or.us) 387-5013 with other questions to be answered.