Ephrata seeks M&O levy

EPHRATA — Ephrata School District is asking voters to approve a two-year replacement levy to fund programs throughout the district.

A proposal to approve the replacement maintenance and operation levy (M&O) is on the special elections ballot mailed to voters last week. Ballots are due Feb. 3.

The estimated collection rate for 2010 and 2011 is $4.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The levy would amount to more than $3 million in 2010 and $3.2 million in 2011.

Programs funded by the levy include maintenance and operation, safety and security programs, buses, extracurricular athletics, paraprofessional and support staff, mortgage payments for Parkway School, portable classrooms, curriculum, assessments, technology, textbooks, libraries and food services.

Drama, music, summer school, academic teams and sports are among programs funded by the levy.

“Roofs were replaced using past levy funds,” noted the school district. “The 2010 (to) 2011 levy also includes some funds for repairing aging heating and ventilation systems, and replacing worn carpets, concrete and asphalt.”

If the levy is approved, the district will receive an additional $1.4 million each year from the state in levy equalization funds, the district noted.

Combined, the levy and equalization funds account for 19 percent of operating revenue for the district.