October 23, 2003 - Renton School Board members will place a four-year Education Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Replacement levy on the February 3, 2004 ballot. The levy will replace the district’s current levy, which expires in 2004 and requires voter approval to continue. Funding from the M&O replacement levy represents about 24 percent—or about $19 million—of the district’s annual budget.

School districts are funded by three sources: federal, state and local (levy) funding. Federal funding makes up about 10 percent of the Renton School District budget, state funding makes up about 70 percent and local levy funding makes up about 20 to 24 percent of the annual budget. Local levy funds must have voter approval to continue.

School Board member Joy Poff—who is currently running for re-election in the November 4 election—said the four-year levy will allow for better long-term fiscal planning. The district's financial practices are sound and a recent outside analysis found the district to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

“Citizens throughout the district have given the Renton School District their vote of confidence by approving these replacement levies in the past,” Poff said. “Our citizens are savvy enough to know that these levies are not new taxes, they do not increase tax rates, they are simply a continuation of the current levy.”

The M&O replacement levy differs from the recently approved facilities and technology bond election. A levy pays for classroom materials, building maintenance, textbooks, some teachers and other staff, transportation, athletics, activities and more. The bond pays for upgrades, renovations or rebuilding of school buildings and technology improvements. By law, funds collected as part of a construction bond election can only be used for building or technology improvements.

Access the February 3 Maintenance and Operations Replacement Levy brochure (PDF 430K).