Edmonds Election Watch 2014: Schools Superintendent talks about levy proposal

Edmonds School District Superintendent Nick Brossoit made a presentation at Edmonds-Woodway High School Nov. 20 outlining a proposed replacement school programs and operations levy that will appear before school district voters in February. Students from the Mountlake Terrace High student newspaper, the Hawkeye, videotaped a portion of the presentation so that it could be rebroadcast prior to the vote. (Please note that the “fine dining room” that appears behind Brossoit is actually the set from a school play at Edmonds-Woodway.)

  1. Dr. Brossoit leads the ESD in ways that makes our district one of the best in the state. He has also been one of the leaders who has put plans together for the state to provide more money for basic education.

    Schools are always faced with trade offs in education. Reducing class size, increasing teacher training, and the number off days of instruction all take money. Sadly we never have enough money to do all things well so we have to make trade offs. Recently it was announced we will seek approval to reduce the number of days of instruction below the state norm. Studies show that kids missing school are more likely to drop out. By reducing the school days we are taking away these day from all kid and providing them less days of learning. Standards are increasing and there will be fewer days of instruction to help students learn. Not sure if the levy will reverse this decision for reduced days but the information sent to homes is silent on this issue.

    What we need is a greater public understanding of the needs and what works to improve education. Then we need to find ways to pay for it.

  2. I received my ballot for the school levy. The levy amount is $56,000,000. for 2014, and going up each year until 2017 at $68,000.000. What was the levy amount for each of the past 4 years?

    1. Last year it was $8,000,000. Looks to me like it will increase 700%, from 44 cents per 100K to $2.88 per 100K.

  3. Carl:

    Calendar Year

    Actual Assessed Valuation

    Actual Rate

    Actual Levy Amount

    2011

    19,652,824,364

    2.34

    45,950,254

    2012

    17,578,240,649

    2.63

    46,193,374

    2013

    16,773,215,863

    2.80

    46,907,938

    2014

    18,474,119,096

    2.60

    Here’s the info that you have requested.

    Calendar Year
    Actual Assessed Valuation
    Actual Rate
    Actual Levy Amount

    2011
    19,652,824,364

    2.34
    45,950,254

    2012
    17,578,240,649

    2.63

    46,193,374

    2013
    16,773,215,863

    2.80

    46,907,938

    2014
    18,474,119,096

    2.60

    48,022,564

    Anyone who wishes more information about this is encouraged by Edmonds School District to contact: Stewart Mhyre, Executive Director, Business & Operations for ESD. Email: MhyreS@edmonds.wednet.edu

    Although my children and grandchildren have long ago completed their schooling, I have been attending the Superintendent’s Roundtables for the past 8 years because I want to know how my taxes are being spent – since that’s where about 60% of our property taxes go. I’m confident that the need is there, and that our money is carefully spent. My wife and I have already mailed our ballots in support of the current lev

  4. Carl:
    Sorry how this is formatted. You probably can figure it out if you disregard everything above “Here’s the info you have requested”.

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