Levy divides Gig Harbor area

Some tax-weary property owners on the west side of the Narrows say they’re tired of being asked for more money, especially in tough times.

But supporters of the Peninsula School District’s proposed operations levy say local tax dollars are needed to continue supplementing state and federal funds.

They say the proposed four-year levy – which voters have until Tuesday night to consider – will pay for everything from classroom teachers to school building upkeep, just as the expiring three-year levy has done.

School boosters, mindful of their failure to pass a school construction bond last year, don’t want a repeat.

No levy foes offered statements in the county voter’s guide opposing money measures on the Peninsula, nor in the six other Pierce County school districts on Tuesday’s ballot.

But in the Gig Harbor area, there’s no missing the opposition, as streets are peppered with signs urging people to “Vote No.”

Last week, community activist Randy Boss paid for an ad in the Peninsula Gateway urging voters to “Vote No. Demand reforms before new revenues.” Boss said he borrowed the ideas and color scheme with permission of those who put up “Vote No” signs around the district, but he said he’s not connected with that group.

He said that after state lawmakers raised the lid on how much local school districts could collect from taxpayers from 24 percent to 28 percent of budget, Peninsula “jumped right on the bandwagon.”

The old levy will raise about $18.5 million this year in a total district budget of about $80 million. The proposed levy would generate almost $20 million in 2013 and build up to just more than $23 million in 2016.

It comes at a time when people continue to weather a tough economy and when Peninsula residents face a likely toll increase of a dollar or more to drive east.

Boss notes that the cost of living is increasing and people are losing their houses.

“This isn’t the time to take more money from the public,” he said.

Peninsula Superintendent Terry Bouck said the district is already working on reform.

One example he offers: Its teacher evaluation form is being viewed as a model by other school districts and by legislators. He said Peninsula has also made cuts in the last five years including seven central office administrative positions.

Bouck said the district is proud of partnerships with community groups that provide arts and recreation programs – programs that couldn’t operate after school or on weekends without levy-funded custodial and maintenance workers.

OPPONENTS UNKNOWN

Both the “Vote No” signs and Boss’ ad have raised questions among levy supporters.

No identifiable opponents of the Peninsula levy have filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson said filing rules for ballot measures say that if an individual spends at least $100, he or she must report it. Political committees that pool contributions from individuals must also file.

Boss said he was unaware of the $100 threshold and he said he would contact the PDC to find out what paperwork he needs to file.

Jill Johnson, a former Peninsula School Board member and levy supporter, said she supports public debate and free speech. But she said she wants to make sure everyone follows the rules.

She also believes voters should have confidence in the district. “They have been so transparent and honest with voters.”

Citizens for Peninsula Schools, the group supporting the levy, has collected nearly $16,000 in contributions over the course of several levy campaigns, according to PDC records. So far, it has reported spending just more than $1,700 on this campaign, records show.

TAX RATES WILL RISE

The school district also paid for newspaper ads, which Bouck said simply answer questions that voters may have. School districts are barred from spending public dollars to campaign for levy passage, but they are allowed to provide information.

The district’s recent ad acknowledges that if the levy passes, the tax rate per $1,000 of property value will rise. The current rate for the expiring operating levy is $1.94 per $1,000. Approval of Tuesday’s measure would raise the rate to an estimated $2.14 to $2.38 per $1,000.

Tax rates are estimates based on future projected property values, and in the Gig Harbor area those values have been highly volatile in the last decade. If values go up, the tax rate per $1,000 drops. If values decline, the rate per $1,000 rises.

In either event, the district collects the same amount of money approved by voters.

When Peninsula last submitted an operations levy to voters three years ago, it passed with nearly 66 percent approval. But a $78 million bond measure last year failed with a 57 percent yes vote. (Long-term bond measures require 60 percent.)

Bouck said he doesn’t want to make a list of what might be cut if Tuesday’s levy fails because he doesn’t want to be accused of scare tactics.

The district would have to decide whether to go to voters again this year.

Those who have been around the Peninsula district long enough remember what happened in the 1990s when the district suffered double levy failures. It reduced office and maintenance workers at schools; teachers and students cleaned their own classrooms; and buildings deteriorated, say those who were there.

“We want to keep it positive,” said Jim Falcocchio, co-chairman of the pro-levy committee and a longtime teacher in the district. “We have positive parents, great kids and huge support from business people in the town. People come here to Gig Harbor for good schools.”

Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635 debbie.cafazzo@thenewstribune.com

Election Day is Tuesday

The Peninsula School District is one of seven Pierce County school districts with tax measures on the ballot. Others are Franklin Pierce, Clover Park, Dieringer, Orting, Eatonville and Carbonado.

Auburn and Yelm school districts, which include portions of Pierce County, are also asking voters to approve tax levies.

Fire District 14 (Riverside Fire & Rescue) has a tax levy on the ballot as well.

Ballots must be postmarked and mailed in by Tuesday, or dropped off at ballot drop boxes maintained by the Pierce County Auditor’s Office. Drop box sites close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.