School Levy Advocates Get Wakeup Call Close Call In Last Election Pushes Volunteers Into Action

Supporters of Spokane School District levies used to hire people to post signs and stuff envelopes. This year, they are trying a more grass-roots approach, relying heavily on parents and other volunteers.

The campaign will spend about $60,000 in donations on mailings, yard signs and advertisements.

In addition, volunteers are buying their own stamps to send “vote yes” postcards to friends and associates.

The Feb. 6 levy vote will set school taxes for 1997 and 1998. If approved, the levy would collect $32.9 million in 1997 and $30.9 million in 1998.

Campaign organizers hope a personal touch will get pro-school voters to the polls.

“Before, we took it for granted that people vote yes,” said campaign co-chairman Scott K. Jones, a Spokane businessman and parent.

Public school levies used to sail through with 75 percent to 80 percent approval. But two years ago, a levy squeaked by with 237 votes to spare, awakening school supporters to the possibility of defeat.

Two other tax issues were on the ballot that year: a school computer levy and a low-income housing tax.

“That possibly brought out more voters who were sending a ‘no new taxes’ message,” Jones said.

The current proposed levy is not a new tax.

It would replace a tax expiring Dec. 31 that contributes about 19 percent of the district’s budget. The rest of the budget is supported by state and federal taxes.

The local levy pays for elementary school counselors, textbooks, teaching assistants and activities such as band, sports and drama.

Estimated tax rates are $3.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value the first year, and $3.56 per $1,000 the second year.

The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $399 the first year and $356 the second year.

The second-year drop is due to a decrease in the allowable local levy amount, which is set by the Legislature.

In 1993, state lawmakers temporarily raised the amount districts could collect from local taxpayers.

Last year, they extended by two years the higher levy lid after school officials complained they wouldn’t be able to collect the full amount of taxes approved by voters.

There is no organized campaign against the levy.

To pass, the levy must meet a twofold requirement: a 60 percent supermajority and a turnout of 20,748 voters.

School supporters worry about turnout. Bad weather and the fact that past school levies ran in March could hurt, Jones said.

, DataTimes