District to Place three measures on March 11, 2008 Ballot
Approval of all three measures will not raise tax rates, keeping Renton School taxes among lowest in region

January 7, 2008 - Citizens in the Renton School District will vote on a four-year Education Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Replacement Levy, a Technology Levy and a School Improvement Bond measure on March 11, 2008.

No tax rate increase
Even with approval of all three measures, tax rates will not increase, keeping the Renton School District tax rate at $3.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value— among the lowest in the region.

Levy funds the gap
School districts are financed from three sources: federal, state and local (levy) funding. Local levy funds are necessary due to inadequate state funding of education and must have voter approval to continue. State funding does not pay for all teachers and only funds five of a student’s six period day. The M&O replacement levy maintains educational programs and activities for all students and pays for teacher salaries, classroom materials, textbooks, support staff, building maintenance, transportation, athletics and more.

The Education Replacement Levy will renew the district’s current levy, which was approved by voters in 2004 and expires this year in December. Funding from the replacement levy represents about 25 percent of the district’s annual budget. To learn more, see attached.

The Technology Levy will allow continuation of our long-term technology plan that integrates technology into every classroom to support instruction, strengthens existing curricula and supports meaningful, engaged learning for all students. To learn more, see attached.

The School Improvement Bond allows for continued improvements and renovations of classrooms, school buildings and playfields, and includes an early childhood education center and an alternative education facility along with long-needed improvements to Renton Memorial Stadium. To learn more, see attached.

District’s financial management is sound
The district’s financial practices are sound. Analysis by two nationally-renowned bonding companies found the district to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Citizens throughout the district have consistently approved past replacement levies and school construction and technology measures with overwhelming support.

For more information, contact the district’s Community Relations Office at 425.204.2345, or randy.matheson@renton.wednet.edu.