Quincy school district seeks levy approval

QUINCY - The Quincy School Board seeks support from community

members in passing a four year levy.

During the Dec. 16 meeting, school board members decided to send

the vote to community members on passing a new levy to replace the

current three year levy, which expires in 2011.

QUINCY - The Quincy School Board seeks support from community members in passing a four year levy.

During the Dec. 16 meeting, school board members decided to send the vote to community members on passing a new levy to replace the current three year levy, which expires in 2011.

Quincy School District Superintendent Burton Dickerson says he is hopeful that the community will support the school district and pass the levy.

"It's so critically important," Dickerson says. "Folks in this community recognize that strong communities make strong schools."

Dickerson says the influx of new business is helping tremendously.

"What's happened typically here is that our tax base has been growing," Dickerson says. "It helps to share the burden for local taxes when other companies come in and take part of the responsibility for some of the property tax."

The levy rate proposed to voters is $2.95 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, the same as the 2008 levy.

Months ago, a citizens' advisory committee including 35 parents, community members and school employees formed to look at the role the levy plays and the needs of the district. The committee's function was to make recommendations to the school board.

"The board took those recommendations and made a decision," Dickerson said.

For each levy dollar collected, 15 cents will go toward extra-curricular activities, 28 cents will go toward maintenance, supplies and operating costs, 16 cents will go to under-funded programs and 41 cents will go to employee costs and benefits.

"But this is typical of any school in the state," Dickerson says. "The levy seeks to provide funds in addition to the state's. The state's funding isn't adequate; that's been demonstrated over and over again."

The proposed levy will raise $5.9 million.

Dickerson says the levy provides for basic operating costs such as textbooks, classroom supplies, utilities, insurance and maintenance.

The next area in which the levy provides help is inadequately funded programs such as special education, transportation and enrichment programs.

Providing for employee costs and benefits as well as student programs and athletics are also functions of the levy.

"Allocation may vary from year to year based on needs," Dickerson says.

Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters Jan. 21 and need to be postmarked by Feb. 8 to count in the special election.