PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles School District is going to ask voters in February to approve a 5-year tax levy for Stevens Middle School construction and improvements.
Last year, voters rejected a 6-year school levy that would have taxed homeowners at a rate of $2.47 per $1,000 assessed value.
School Superintendent Marty Brewer told members at Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce meeting that next year he’ll be asking for $2.62 per thousand for 5 years, to be collected in the years 2021 through 2025.
Upgrading Stevens is just the first step of a long-term plan to fix what Brewer says is an aging infrastructure district wide. His plan calls for extending the levy with a 5-year bond at the same rate in 2025, and another 5 years after that.
“This is a tax increase. This is a performance-based plan and you know, we want to be able to not just pass the levy, but in ’25 we want to come back and ask for a bond. Same flat rate. In ’31, come back and ask for a bond. Because we have work to do in this community, and if we’re not fair, open, honest and transparent we won’t build the kind of credibility it’s going to take to execute this plan.”
Brewer says the plan is expand the capacity of Stevens Middle School and make it a three-year school, grades 6 through 8, which he says will free up space in the elementary schools for expected growth in population in the district.
His plan also calls for upgrades, repairs or replacement by the year 2043 of 4 other schools as well: Franklin, PA High School, Hamilton and Roosevelt, all but one of which are over 60 years old.
“This is a voter approved, long-term performance-based facility plan that will maximize state dollars, modernize and/or replace the five schools we’ve referenced, establish a K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 system that we don’t have today, incorporates modern safety features. At the end of the execution of this plan, you know, we will have facilities that have controlled access and protect our most valuable asset. We need to be able to do that. And finally, it encourages community involvement throughout the plan.”
Voters will consider the capital levy in a special election set for February 11. The 5-year property tax would raise a little under $53 million.
Photo: Marty Brewer (left) presents his plan with help from Maintenance and Facilities Director Nolan Duce.