For more than 50 years Shoreline Schools have attracted and retained top teachers. Today, nearly 65 percent of teachers have Master’s degrees. Most have taught for more than 12 years. One out of five Shoreline staff positions is funded by this replacement levy. It is the only way to maintain existing programs.

SHORELINE – The Shoreline Public Schools board of directors in their Dec. 12 meeting approved a proposal for a $78.7 million replacement, maintenance and operations levy and another proposal for the sale of $149.5 million of general obligation bonds.

The levy, which replaces the four-year levy passed by voters in 2002, will provide the district with about 20 percent of its maintenance and operations needs. The bond will provide for technology, safety and renovation of school facilities.

The current combined levy and bond rate for Shoreline is $4.07 per $1,000 assessed valuation. If both proposals pass, the estimated new combined levy and bond rate would be $4.82 – about 75 cents more than the current rate. For the owner of a $300,000 home, this would amount to $225 in additional property taxes per year.

The levy and bond propositions will be placed on separate ballots in a Feb. 7, 2006, special election.

Proposition 1 – Replacement Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations Levy

The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire next year. The board approved the following approximate levy amounts beginning in 2007:

• 2007 - $18.5 million ($2.33 rate per $1,000 assessed value)
• 2008 - $19.25 million ($2.33 rate per $1,000 assessed value)
• 2009 - $20 million ($2.36 rate per $1,000 assessed value)
• 2010 - $21 million ($2.42 rate per $1,000 assessed value)

These levy dollars will help fund basic education programs, including salaries for teachers and para-educators; and instructional materials and supplies. Funds will also be used to support extra-curricular student activities and special education, gifted, remedial and vocational education programs. In addition, funds will be used for maintenance and operations, such as utilities, transportation, student travel, and support staff for program services.