School districts seek to renew levies

Voters have until Tuesday to return the ballots for school funding requests made by nine districts in the county. Many districts are asking voters to approve levies for educational programs and operations which will replace levies that will expire at the end of this year.

Funding for some capital improvements have also been funded by the state.

First count of ballots will be made after the polls close at 8 p.m. election day, Feb. 11.

Colfax

Colfax is one of many districts in the county asking voters to approve a replacement levy for educational program and operations not funded by the state. This would be to replace an expiring levy. It seeks $900,000 for 2021 and again in 2022.

Colton

Colton has a $398,947 one-year levy at a rate of $2.50 per thousand in assessed property valuation.

It continues the district’s practice of running one-year levies instead of two-year.

“So we can be responsible to our community and not overtax,” said Paul Clark, Colton superintendent.

The money will go to food service, extra-curricular activities, pre-school, career and technical education and some administrative staffing.

Endicott

Endicott seeks approval of two years of levies for educational programs and operations not funded by the state. These would be replacement levies. They seek $231,137 for 2021 and $241,591 for 2022.

Garfield

Garfield district seeks a replacement levy for educational programs and operations at $176,040 per year for 2021 and 2022. This would replace an expiring levy for programs not funded by the state.

The district is also seekeing a replacement capital levy to continue funding the acquisition and installation of student and teacher technology devices and other technology equipment and infrastructure. This levy would be for $100,000 each year for of the next two years.

Palouse

Palouse School District seeks two, two-year replacement levies in the Feb. 11 election, including general fund levies for 2021 and 2022. Totals for these are $420,574 for the first year and $441,603 for the second.

For the other two-year levy, capital projects, the number is set at $300,000 for each year, to go to instructional technology and facility upgrades.

The capital projects totals are the same as the 2019-20 levies.

The 2021-2022 general fund levy would go to funding classified and certified employees, extra-curricular transportation, AP classes and student activities such as FFA, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Robotics, sports, and field trips.

“Palouse capital projects include continual facility maintenance, upgrades and improvements to be determined,” said Calvin Johnson, Palouse superintendent, in a statement. “Roof recoat is a major need in the next two to four years.”

Estimated cost is $200,000.

Other capital projects up for discussion include changing library space.

Pullman

Pullman School District is seeking approval on a bond measure and two special levies. The bond measure asks for $15 million for renovation and expansion of Lincoln Middle School security measures and a new HVAC system are planned.

The district seeks approval of an enrichment levy over four years at $5.3 million per year from 2021 to 2024.

Also sought is approval for a four-year levy for capital technology for $200,000 per year over the same four-year span.

Rosalia

Rosalia seeks approval of a replacement levy of $448,000 for 2021 and 2022 for essential programs not funded by the state.

St. John

St. John is asking voters for approval of a two-year capital levy for health and safety improvements for $250,000 for 2021 and 2022. New fire alarms, repairing sidewalks and improving entryway safety are on the project list.

The district also seeks a replacement levy to provide essential programs and operations not covered by the state. It requests $400,000 for 2021 and $415,000 for 2022.

Tekoa

Tekoa voters have been asked to approve a programs and operations levy at $236,818 for 2021 and 2022. This would replace an expiring levy.

Tekoa also seeks a $142,090 levy for 2021 and 2022 for health, safety and technology improvements.