These school levies headed to voters would fund secure building access, other programs
Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula voters will see two levies for the Peninsula School District on their February ballot.
The district will host informational meetings this month about the levies.
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Peninsula School District main office and via Zoom.
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, via Zoom only.
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Evergreen Elementary School and via Zoom. Visit psd401.net/ for more information.
“The total local school tax rate, including both levies and the existing bond, is estimated to be $1.82 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2024,” according to a recent press release from the district. “This is lower than the total current rate of $2.01 based on 2022 assessed values.”
“An owner of a $500,000 home is currently paying approximately $1,005 at the local school tax rate of $2.01 per $1,000 of assessed value,” assistant superintendent Daniel Gregory told the Gateway. “If both levies are approved, the owner of a $500,000 home will pay approximately $910 per year in local school taxes beginning in 2024.”
The levies both need a simple majority to pass.
Local school tax rates are determined by adding together levy and bond rates.
“We currently have the 2019 bond and the 2020 EP&O levy, and the combined 2022 rate is $2.01 per $1,000 of assessed value (2023 rate is not yet available),” Gregory said. “The 2019 bond rate will go down, so when combined with these levies, homeowners will still see a reduced local school tax rate. Starting in 2024, with the 2019 bond, 2023 EP&O levy and 2023 SS&T levy, the estimated total local rate will be $1.82 per $1,000, which is a lower combined local school tax rate than today.”
The replacement educational programs and operations levy (3 year)
The replacement educational programs and operations levy will replace the expiring 2020 levy.
It accounts for about 18% of the district’s overall budget, Gregory told the Gateway.
“It is critical to maintaining quality educational programs,” Gregory said.
This levy funds programs and resources for nurses, counselors, educators, athletics, arts, music, clubs, transportation, and preventative maintenance projects.
These and many other programs are not fully funded by state basic funding, he said.
“The levy rates are estimated to be $1.13 per $1,000 of assessed value for the replacement educational programs and operations levy,” the press release said.
The safety, security and technology levy (6 year)
“This is the levy that will create dedicated funding to better protect, serve, and prepare our students for the future,” Gregory said.
School safety and security were the top priorities for families in the PSD community, during the district’s strategic plan engagement process, Gregory said.
This levy will fund enhanced safety and security systems, Gregory said.
The money from this levy will be spent on secure building access controls, emergency communications systems, security cameras, bus emergency communications systems and cyber security services, he said.
“It also supports technology improvements, student and staff devices and classroom instructional equipment,” Gregory added.
If approved, the safety, security and technology levy would create secure building access controls at all schools.
“All elementary and middle schools have a secure, single point-of-entry vestibule where guests must buzz in and show their ID at the office before entering learning areas,” Gregory said. “Badge security systems like this were already in place at all PSD middle and elementary schools, but they were just installed at Peninsula High School and Gig Harbor High School last month.”
Each high school only has three or four access doors with card readers, while the rest remain locked all day. The safety, security and technology levy would fund access controls at all high school doors, Gregory said.
“The levy rates are estimated to be $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value for the safety, security and technology levy,” the press release said.
The district decided to not include the upcoming installation of interior doors at Discovery Elementary in the safety, security and technology levy.
“Discovery Elementary School will have interior classroom doors installed during this summer break,” Gregory said. “Because this is a pressing issue for parents and staff, PSD is not waiting until the safety, security and technology levy funding would begin in 2024. The door design will be in line with the doors installed at the new elementary schools built with 2019 capital projects bond dollars. This project will be funded by the capital projects fund budget, generated by a past land sale.”
Additional details about how money from each of these levies would be spent can be found at: bit.ly/3VYVZMr.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated how the installation of interior doors at Discovery Elementary School will be funded. Funds from a previous land sale will pay for that project.
This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
