We want to let our community know that we have levy news to share.

We want to let our community know that we have levy news to share. First, we want to thank everyone who voted in the February Replacement Education Programs and Operations levy election. Unfortunately, the measure did not pass. What that means, is the district has just one more chance to put the measure to voters this year.

On Feb. 22, our Grandview School Board voted to bring our Replacement Education Programs and Operations Levy back to voters on the April 26 ballot. And we want to work hard to share information about the levy with the community.

We have created a replacement levy website. You can find information about the levy, answers to frequently asked questions and information on our brand-new Levy Stamp. You can find all of this at www.gsd200.org/levy.

As you look through that information there a few important things to remember. First, is that we are not asking voters for a new tax. The Replacement Education Programs and Operations Levy is just that – a replacement. Our current levy is set to come off the books at the end of 2022 and this new levy would replace it and run from 2023-2026.

Another important piece, is what levy funds cover. Money raised by the levy helps to support programs and service not entirely covered by state basic education funding. That includes things ranging from athletics and coaches to building and vehicle maintenance to things like the Advanced Placement and Highly Capable programs. It also helps support additional technology, field trips, extracurricular activities and our school resource officer.

Another thing to note, is that the replacement levy proposition looks a little different this time around. We did listen and we made a major change. That change is in the levy rate.

Originally, the district was asking for a proposed levy rate of $1.73 per $1,000 of assessed value, which would increase to $1.96 per $1,000 of assessed value by 2026. Our new proposition is asking for a levy rate of $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value every year of the four-year levy. That is less than the $1.67 per $1,000 of assessed value that being paid now.

The money raised by the levy, including Levy Equalization Funds, make up more than nine percent of the district’s budget. Levy Equalization Funds are state matching dollars. Currently, Grandview receives approximately $2 in Levy Equalization Funds from the state for each $1 the levy raises locally. The levy must be approved before the district receives state matching funds.

We are also excited to introduce our new Levy Stamp. We have created a graphic that we will be adding to our social media posts when we post about things that are levy supported. We want our community to see their dollars at work. Be sure to watch for the Levy Stamp throughout the year.