School districts scramble after state cuts funding

School districts across the state were forced to rethink their plans Tuesday after news that the levy equalization money each district gets from the state will be cut by 3 percent.

The money is given to property-poor school districts, mostly in Eastern Washington, who have assessed home values below the state average.

Under Gov. Chris Gregoire’s plan, Spokane Public Schools will lose $425,000 next year.

“Now we’re having to scramble and hold a special meeting,” said Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for school support services.

When voters approved the district’s most recent maintenance-and-operations levy in 2006, they approved as much as $49 million for 2009 with an estimated cost of $3.75 per $1,000 in assessed home value.

Last week, the board passed a resolution to collect $46.1 million for an estimated $2.80 per $1,000.

To compensate for the lost state funding, the district will have to change the levy rate to $2.83 per thousand to collect $46.5 million, which is still lower than the amount voters approved in 2006.

“That’s good news, but it was better news last Wednesday,” Anderson said.

The West Valley School District will also hold an emergency board meeting today to deal with the cuts.

Central Valley School District, which approved its 2009 levy rate Monday, will also meet to redo its work.

“They were able to round up three board members that could be there,” said district spokeswoman Melanie Rose.

The school districts have until 5 p.m. today to call emergency board meetings and pass new resolutions setting the 2009 levy rate.

By state law, districts must have the information to the county by the end of November.