King County Local Voters Pamphlet
February 3, 1998 Special Election
Tukwila School District No. 406, Proposition No. 1
TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 406
Shall the following excess taxes for operations and maintenance purposes be levied for Tukwila School District's General Fund upon all taxable property within the District: approximately $2.90 per $1,000 assessed value (based on 100% of true and fair value) to provide $3,863,000 for 1999 collection; and approximately $3.10 per $1,000 assessed value (based on 100% of true and fair value) to provide $4,220,000 for 2000 collection, all as specified in School Board Resolution No. 603?
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The proposed Maintenance and Operations Special Levy is not a new or additional tax. In this proposition, the Tukwila School District (formerly South Central School District) Board of Directors asks approval for replacement of the General Fund Maintenance and Operations Levy passed by voters in 1996. The levy expires in 1998. If approved by the voters, this measure will replace the 1996 authorization and authorize the school program levy for two more years.
The tax revenue generated by the levy will be used to fund maintenance and repairs for all schools. Approval of the levy will also allow the school district to maintain and improve upon the level of services currently provided. Levy funds help pay for lower class sizes by providing more teachers and instructional assistants than state funding allows. They support athletics and extra-curricular activities, supplement bus transportation costs for existing routes, support special instruction in art, music, English as a Second Language, special education and elementary gifted programs, and provide day and night school security.
Only a total dollar amount approved by the voters can be collected. If the levy is approved, the tax rate would be approximately $2.90 in 1999 and $3.10 in 2000 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable real property. Any increase in homeowners' assessed valuation, property values, or in growth of the tax base will decrease the tax rate for individual property owners.
STATEMENT FOR
The levy is not a new tax.
It renews the existing levy that Tukwila residents approved in 1996. The current levy ends this year. Voters need to approve the February 3 levy so that levy money can continue to support existing programs for another two years.
Levy money helps maintain existing programs.
Adequate state funding is not a reality. We must rely on levy dollars to maintain our programs. Levy money accounts for about 24 percent of the school district budget. Without the levy, many existing school programs and projects would be reduced or eliminated.
Our unique tax base benefits residents.
We are fortunate in Tukwila to have a large amount of high-value commercial property, such as Southcenter. Most school districts in the state must rely on a tax base provided almost entirely by residential property owners. However, due to the concentration of retail businesses and other commercial uses in Tukwila, homeowners in Tukwila School District pay only about 20 percent of the cost of school levies.
The other 80 percent is paid by commercial property owners. That's a bargain of an investment for homeowners.
Our children: A great investment. Say YES to the Tukwila School levy February 3.
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: RON LAMB, DAVE FENTON, PEGGY IVES McCARTHY
STATEMENT AGAINST
NO STATEMENT SUBMITTED.
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TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 406
Shall Tukwila School District No. 406 issue $23,500,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within twenty years to pay costs of constructing and equipping two new elementary schools to replace Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools, and carrying out other capital purposes and levy annual excess property taxes to pay and retire the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 604?
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The purpose of this bond issue is to allow the Tukwila School District (formerly South Central School District) to replace existing Thorndyke and Tukwila schools with safe, energy-efficient and modern schools. To provide for growing enrollment, each new school will contain 25 classrooms, a computer lab, art activity/project and music rooms, library, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, covered play area, improvements to parking, bus and car access, playgrounds and playing fields.
A 17 member all-citizen Facilities Advisory Committee completed a study of both schools in June 1997. The committee found that Thorndyke Elementary, built in 1968, and Tukwila Elementary, built in 1962, need attention now. Lack of space, inadequate plumbing and wiring, poor heating and ventilation, have made them less than desirable buildings in which to educate our students. The committee found that replacement of those schools would be more cost-effective than remodeling.
If this bond issue is approved, work on both schools will occur between April 1999 and August 2000. Students will remain in current buildings as their new schools are built for the 2000-2001 school year.
Approval by voters will authorize the District to issue up to $23.5 million of general obligation bonds. The estimated average annual tax rate for this bond issue is $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed valuation on all taxable real property.
STATEMENT FOR
The requirements of modern education have changed greatly since Thorndyke and Tukwila elementary schools were built 30 years ago. Computers and other modern teaching tools -- and modern schools to house them -- have become an essential part of public education.
Thorndyke and Tukwila school buildings are old, in need of modern roofs and windows, more efficient heating, plumbing and electrical systems, seismic upgrades and safety code improvements, expanded parking, improved vehicle access for buses and cars, more classrooms to accommodate our growing student population -- and many more electrical outlets.
After months of careful analysis, studying enrollment projections, existing school facilities and various cost scenarios, the District's all-citizen Facilities Advisory Committee determined that the most cost-effective solution is to build new schools instead of remodeling the old ones.
Our community's future health and well-being, growth and social standing depend on the condition of our neighborhood schools, and on the concern of our citizens to maintain those schools.
To meet the needs of our growing community and provide the best possible learning environment for our children, we ask you to continue your support for our public schools.
Vote YES for Proposition 2.
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: VERN MERYHEW, BILL SCHEFFLER, KERI SEGALE
STATEMENT AGAINST
NO STATEMENT SUBMITTED.
A resolution of the Board of Directors of Tukwila School District No. 406, King County, Washington providing for the submission to qualified electors of the District at a special election to be held therein February 3, 1998, of a proposition of whether or not the District should levy certain excess taxes for the District's General Fund for collection in 1999 and 2000.
WHEREAS, the money in and to be paid into the General Fund of the Tukwila School District No. 406, King County, Washington ("District") during the 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 school years will be insufficient to enable the District to meet all of its long-range financial obligations and to properly provide for the educational needs of students attending District schools; and
WHEREAS, in order to properly provide for such financial obligations and educational needs, it is deemed necessary that an excess tax of $3,829,000 should be levied in 1998 for collection in 1999 and $4,123,000 levied in 1999 for collection in 2000, and said excess taxes being for the District's General Fund to pay part of the general expenses of maintenance and operations of the District; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington require that the question of whether or not such excess taxes may be levied must be submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of Tukwila District No. 406, King County, Washington, as follows:
Section 1. It is hereby found and declared that the welfare of the students and other residents of the District require the District to carry out the plans hereinafter provided;
Section 2. The following taxes for the District's General Fund should be levied upon all of the taxable property within the District in excess of the maximum annual tax levy permitted by law without a vote of the electors:
A. A tax of approximately $2.90 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $3,863,000; said levy to be made in 1998 for collection in 1999.
B. A tax of approximately $3.10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to provide $4,220,000; said levy to be made in 1999 for collection in 2000.
Upon approval by the voters by the ballot proposition hereinafter set forth, the District may use the proceeds of said levy during the 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 schools years by incurring an indebtedness by the issuance of warrants against the General Fund of the District and may expend the proceeds of said levies to pay part of the general expenses for maintenance and operation of the District.
Section 3. The King County Director of Records and Elections is hereby requested to call and conduct said special election to be held within the District on said date and to submit to the qualified electors of the District the proposition hereinafter set forth.
The Secretary of the Board of Directors is hereby authorized and directed to certify said proposition in the following form:
SCHOOL PROGRAM LEVIES Shall the following excess taxes for operations and maintenance purposes be levied for Tukwila School District's General Fund upon all taxable property within the District: approximately $2.90 per $1,000 assessed value (based on 100% of true and fair value) to provide $3,863,000 for 1999 collection; and approximately $3.10 per $1,000 assessed value (based on 100% of true and fair value) to provide $4,220,000 for 2000 collection, all as specified in School Board Resolution No. 603? Levy...Yes Levy...No Section 4. The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the District is hereby directed to deliver a certified copy of this resolution to the King County Director of Records and Elections. ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Tukwila School District No. 406, King County, Washington, at a regular open public meeting thereof, held November 25, 1997, the following Directors being present and voting therefor: (signatures of directors)
COMPLETE TEXT OF TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 406 -
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Tukwila School District No. 406, King County, Washington, providing for the submission to the voters of the District at a special election to be held therein on February 3, 1998, of a proposition authorizing the District to issue its general obligation bonds in the principal sum of $23,500,000, or such lesser maximum amount as may be legally issued under the laws governing the limitation of indebtedness, for the purpose of paying costs of constructing and equipping two new elementary schools to replace Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools, and carrying out other capital purposes as determined by the Board of Directors, the principal of and interest on such bonds to be payable from annual property tax levies to be made in excess of regular property tax levies.
WHEREAS, increasing enrollment demands and the existing condition of school facilities jeopardizing the health and safety of students and faculty in Tukwila School District No. 406, King County, Washington, and the institution of new programs and other educational requirements for persons of school age residing within its borders require constructing and equipping two new elementary schools to replace Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools, and carrying out other capital purposes as determined by the Board of Directors, which are urgently needed, and the District lacks sufficient funds with which to construct and equip those two new elementary schools and carry out those other capital purposes; and
WHEREAS, the School District Facilities Advisory Committee has studied the District's facilities needs and has recommended the replacement of Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools and the carrying out of other capital purposes through the issuance of general obligation bonds by the District; and
WHEREAS, the conditions and situations hereinbefore set forth create an emergency which requires the holding of a special election in the District; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Tukwila SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 406, KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON, as follows:
Section 1. For the reasons stated above, it is found and declared that an emergency exists requiring the calling of a special election and the Director of Records and Elections of King County, Washington, is requested to find and declare the existence of an emergency. The Director of Records and Elections of King County further is requested to call and conduct a special school election in the District, in the manner provided by law, to be held therein on February 3, 1998, for the purpose of submitting to the voters of the District, for their approval or rejection, the question of whether or not general obligation bonds of the District shall be issued in the amount of not to exceed $23,500,000 or such lesser maximum amount as may be legally issued under the laws governing the limitation of indebtedness, and the proceeds of the bond issue expended to pay costs of constructing and equipping two new elementary schools to replace Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools, and carrying out other capital purposes as determined by the Board of Directors (the "Project").
The funds derived from the sale of the bonds shall be used, either with or without additional funds now available or hereafter available to the District, for capital purposes only, which shall not include the replacement of equipment. The aforesaid improvements, or any portion or portions thereof, shall be acquired or made insofar as is practicable with the capital funds available and in such order of time as shall be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors of the District.
Section 2. The bonds authorized shall be issued as a single issue, as a part of a combined issue with other authorized bonds, or in more than one series. The bonds shall be fully registered bonds; shall bear interest payable as permitted by law; shall mature within twenty years from the date of issue (the life of the improvements to the acquired by the issuance of the bonds being at least twenty years), and may be such lesser time as fixed by the Board of Directors; shall be paid by annual property tax levies sufficient in amount to pay both principal and interest when due, which annual property tax levies shall be made in excess of regular property tax levies without limitation as to rate or amount but only in amounts sufficient to meet such payments of principal and interest as they come due; and shall be issued and sold in such manner, at such times and in such amounts as shall be required for the purpose for which such bonds are to be issued. The exact date, form, terms, option of prior redemption, price, interest rate or rates and maturities of the bonds shall be hereafter fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Pending the issuance of the bonds, the District may issue short-term obligations pursuant to chapter 39.50 RCW. The Board of Directors declares that to the extent, prior to the date bonds or other short-term obligations are issued to finance the Project, the District shall make capital expenditures for the Project from funds that are not (and are not reasonably expected to be) reserved, allocated on a long-term basis or otherwise set aside by the District under its existing and reasonably foreseeable budgetary and financial circumstances to finance the Project, those capital expenditures are intended to be reimbursed out of proceeds of the bonds or other short-term obligations issued in an amount not to exceed the principal amount of the bonds provided by this resolution.
Section 3. If available funds from the proceeds of bonds authorized for the above purposes are more than sufficient to carry out the specified facilities under the Project, or should state or local circumstances require any alteration in those purposes, the District may acquire, construct, equip and make other capital improvements and acquisitions all as the Board of Directors may determine by resolution, after holding a public hearing thereon pursuant to RCW 28A.530.020. The District shall determine the application of available money between the various parts of the Project so as to accomplish, as near as may be, all improvements expressly described. The District shall determine the exact extent and specifications for construction of structures or other improvements.
If the Board of Directors shall determine that it has become impractical to accomplish any of such improvements or portions thereof by reason of state or local circumstances, including changed conditions or needs, regulatory considerations, incompatible development or costs substantially in excess of those estimated, the District shall not be required to accomplish such improvements and may apply the bond proceeds or any portion thereof to other portions of the improvements, to other capital purposes of the District, or to payment of principal of or interest on the bonds, as the Board of Directors may determine after holding a public hearing thereon pursuant to RCW 28A.530.020. If the proceeds of sale of the bonds, plus any other money of the District legally available, are insufficient to accomplish all of the capital improvements making up the Project, the District shall use the available funds for paying the cost of those improvements for which the bonds were approved deemed by the Board of Directors most necessary and in the best interest of the District.
It is not anticipated that the District will receive funds from the State of Washington in state assistance for the Project.
Section 4. The ballot title of the aforesaid proposition shall be as follows:
GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS - $23,500,000 Shall Tukwila School District No. 406 issue $23,500,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within twenty years to pay costs of constructing and equipping two new elementary schools to replace Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools, and carrying out other capital purposes and levy annual excess property taxes to pay and retire the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 604? BONDS...YES BONDS...NO Section 5. The Secretary to the Board of Directors of the District is directed (a) to certify to the Director of Records and Elections of King County a copy of this resolution showing its adoption by this Board of Directors at least 45 days prior to the date of such special election, and (b) to perform such other duties as are necessary or required by law to the end that the question of whether or not bonds shall be issued and excess taxes necessary to pay and retire the bonds be levied as herein provided shall be submitted to the voters of the District at the aforesaid special election. ADOPTED at a regular open public meeting of the Board of Directors of the District on the 25th day of November, 1997, the following Directors being present and voting: (signatures of directors) Updated: February 3, 1998
February 3 Local Voters Pamphlet
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