Our Voice: Vote yes for the Richland schools levy

Every vote counts.

The saying is mentioned so often during elections that people have come to dismiss it as just another catchphrase.

But there is truth behind it, and those living in the Richland School District should know that better than anyone else.

During last November’s general election, two candidates for the Richland School Board ended up in a tie after the ballots were counted — and recounted. Incredibly, Brett Amidan and Jill Oldson gathered 6,178 votes each. Amidan won the coin toss that was used to break the tie and got the job.

Now another election is coming up in the Richland School District, and voters again need to know their vote is important — especially since this time they are deciding the fate of the school district levy.

Ballots were mailed this week in Benton County and should be in mailboxes in the next couple of days, if they haven’t arrived already.

They are due Feb. 9. The school district is asking voters to renew the current maintenance and operations tax that will expire at the end of the year.

Richland is asking for a two-year levy that would collect $24.2 million in 2017 and $25.4 million in 2018. The tax rate is estimated at $3.28 per $1,000 of a property’s assessed value, which is the same rate as what taxpayers are presently paying.

School levies are absolutely critical. The state has failed to keep its obligation to “amply” fund basic education, which leaves school districts around the state asking their citizens to fill in the gap with local taxes.

State lawmakers are under a court order to finally figure out a way to meet their responsibility and fully fund public schools, but they are nowhere close to getting an acceptable plan in place. In the meantime, it is up to local residents to chip in.

In Richland, local levy money makes up about 17 percent of the school district’s annual operating budget, which covers a variety of programs, as well as salaries for music and art teachers, school nurses, librarians and security personnel. Instructional materials, computer classes and athletics also are funded with local levy money. School officials always emphasize the school levy is not an additional tax, but a replacement.

Richland, like other school districts in the Tri-Cities, is eligible for levy equalization money from the state if it passes a levy. It’s a formula the state uses to try and ensure poorer school districts can provide the same quality education as more affluent schools.

But if a levy fails, that levy equalization money is also lost.

Benton County had a dismal showing at the polls in the last two elections, with 16.7 percent in the August primary (which was the lowest in the state) and 27.7 percent in November, which also was scraping bottom.

Richland voters should be well aware of the importance of every vote. Considering every community has a group of folks who vote “no” on every tax issue, it is crucial that those who want to support the schools don’t forget to return their ballots.

Every vote really does count — just ask the newest member of the Richland School Board.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Vote yes for the Richland schools levy."