On Feb. 14, the Pasco School District will be running a replacement Levy for maintenance and operations. The current levy expires at the end of 2012. This levy pays for many necessary activities that are not funded by the state.
Approximately 52 percent of the money goes for such needs as curriculum, teaching, art, music and drama programs, elementary school nurses and counselors, and substitute teachers. Another 42 percent of levy dollars support districtwide maintenance and custodial services, utilities, student transportation and student housing. And 7 percent of this money funds student activities such as clubs and athletics.
Pasco School Board members and administrators have recently been lauded by the State Auditor's Office for best practices in regard to money management. "We are hoping to identify what is going on in the Pasco School District so that other districts can emulate these efforts to bring down noninstructional costs so that more money can go into instruction."
With that in mind, this levy request is predicted to be a reduction in the rate that residents are currently spending. Kudos to Pasco for holding the line on spending and squeezing the most out of every dollar!
Please continue your support for the children of Pasco by voting "Yes" for the levy!
Robin Hay, Richland
