White Salmon Schools

Levy Details

Why Does the District Need a Levy?

During the current school year (2005-06), the school district is estimated to be under funded by state allocations in the amount of $1,615,000. The current levy is for $1,425,000 and with levy equalization dollars the total could be $1,620,000. Therefore, our current levy covers the projected needs of the district for this school year.

Loss of State Funding

Our upcoming levy is for the school years 2007-08 and 2008-09. Based upon current enrollment patterns, we are projecting an enrollment decline of 17 students (loss of $85,000 in apportionment) for the 2006-07 school year, and another 33 students (loss of $150,000 in apportionment) for the 2007-08 school year, or a total loss of $235,000 in apportionment dollars over the course of the next two school years. Therefore, in order to keep up with declining enrollment, we will again see staff reductions the next two school years. The reductions will be approximately $145,000, as we are not able to reduce further. Further reductions would place the district below the state funding allocation. If this occurs the state will reduce our funding allocation even more. Please remember that two years ago the school district reduced staffing by approximately $350,000 to compensate for declining enrollment at that time. Therefore, to maintain current programs, our levy must be increased by $90,000 just to stay even.

Security System

Other school district needs have surfaced that require immediate attention and require additional levy increases. As you are no doubt aware, since March 13, 2002, Columbia High School has been broken in to six times. On one of the break-in dates, Henkle Middle School and Whitson Elementary School were also burglarized. These thefts have cost the district in deductible insurance costs, rising insurance rates as a direct result of these break-ins, as well as in many, many hours in labor costs associated with replacing equipment. Equipment valued at $90,965.21 has been stolen or vandalized in these thefts. The school district recently purchased phase I of a new security system for Columbia High School. This purchase came from donated funds. In order to complete the security system in all necessary areas of the high school, another $44,000 is needed. Like-sized funds are also required to secure Henkle and Whitson. We are increasing the levy by a total of $50,000 each of the two years of the levy to cover the costs of these new security systems.

Technology

Because of declining enrollment, all departments and building budgets have been cut. We have cut too deeply in a couple of areas. Our technology budget has been cut to $34,000 per year. Of that amount, $21,628 goes for annual amounts in fees such as: virus protection, filter systems, and license fees to continue usage of programs (i.e. Microsoft, DLC, FileMaker Server, WSIPC, etc.). The remaining $12,000 is all that is left for repairs/maintenance on our existing computers and/or to purchase new technology. This is very inadequate and we are increasing the levy by $30,000 each of the two years of the levy to add back to the technology budget.

TASK Room

The other area cut too deeply occurred at Henkle Middle School. With the enrollment declines and associated staff reductions, the TASK (Teaching Acceptable Skills to Kids) room position was eliminated; and the assistant principal (who was full time at Henkle) was reassigned as half-time Henkle and half-time Columbia assistant principal. While the assistant principal position will remain as is, the TASK room position must be added back. This will increase the levy amount by $25,000 for the two years of the levy.

Park Center Building

The Park Center Building will soon be deeded back to the school district from the City of White Salmon. We must increase the levy by $30,000 each of the two years of the levy to aid in maintaining that facility.

Purchase Field Maintenance Equipment

The White Salmon School District also acts as this area's "Parks and Recreation" department. We are not actually Parks and Rec, but we have the only facilities in our area, and we are used by the community as though we were "Parks and Recreation". Our facilities take a beating because of over-use and must be maintained. We are increasing the levy by $10,000 each of the two years of the levy to purchase equipment to help maintain our facilities.

Inflation Costs $15,000

We are also increasing the levy by an additional $15,000 to cover the costs of inflation. Even this increase is likely to fall short of future needs, given current patterns, as fuel and utility increases will surpass that amount easily.

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