– Submitted by San Juan Island School District

The San Juan Island School District will be asking for voter support this coming February 9, 2016 in a special election for reauthorization of the Capital and Technology levy for the years 2017-2020. The Capital and Technology levy provides funding for capital improvements, major facility repairs, and technology equipment, implementation, and support.

“Basic education funding” provided by the State of Washington is not sufficient to fully fund school district capital facility improvements and technology. The district’s general fund, funded through state basic education dollars and the local maintenance and operations (M&O) levy, pays for the daily operating expenses and minor repairs of our facilities.

“Capital and Technology funds” are necessary to handle major repairs, system replacements, and improvement of facilities as well as educational and support systems provided through technology. The current, expiring levy rate is $0.33 per $1,000.00 assessed value.

The district is asking voters to approve a four-year levy of $0.46 per $1,000.00 assessed value, an approximate annual cost of $227.00 for a home assessed at $500,000.00.

Approval of this levy ensures the continuing excellence of our school facilities and sustains the delivery of a first rate education supported by a strategic replacement schedule for technology systems and devices.

Further, this capital and technology levy continues to assure that a greater portion of the general fund is directed to sustaining high quality instruction and reasonable class sizes.

The full list of district capital and technology needs can be found on our website at www.sjisd.wednet.edu

If you have questions, call Superintendent Danna Diaz at the district office at 378-4133.