Ephrata schools seek approval for levy

EPHRATA - The Ephrata School District is seeking the community's approval of a four-year replacement levy.

The proposed levy would bring in $14.4 million for the school district by its end in 2015. 

"We're asking for just enough money to continue maintenance and operations and educational services that we provide to students," says Ephrata School District Superintendent Jerry Simon.

Simon says the levy rate would stay at $4.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the four-year duration of the levy.

The levy rate would stay the same over four years because the assessed value of the district went up more than expected, says Simon.

As of 2011, the Ephrata School District has an assessed value of $705 million.

School district administrators have divided the potential funds into different spending categories. Instruction costs such as textbooks and curriculum materials would use 42 percent of the levy funds. 

Curricular costs, which include student activities, clubs and field trips, would use 20 percent.

Facility maintenance, including building upgrades, would use 18 percent. 

Technology equipment and maintenance would require 8 percent.

Transportation and school support services such as food services would both use 5 percent while safety costs would use 2 percent of the total levy amount.

Only if the levy passes will the school district be eligible for a state levy equalization of $1.7 million.

Simon says the levy equalization amount is given to "property-poor" districts, such as Ephrata which don't have a large number of big businesses in the area.

"It helps ensure that students in every district, whether in a property-rich or property-poor district, get the same amount of support," says Simon. "If we didn't receive levy equalization, we'd have to ask for more money."

The levy provides the school district about 21 percent of its annual revenue because state and federal funding does not cover all of the operating costs, according to Simon.

Simon says the district has cut more than $1 million dollars from its budget during the past three years.

Kindergarten through fourth-grade classes used to receive money through the states "K-4 Enhancement," which helped keep classes small. Money from the I-728 fund allowed the school to hold day-long kindergarten, but cuts have put strain on the school's finances. 

"We're going to have to use levy funds conservatively to continue those programs," says Simon. "The levy is definitely necessary. We're extremely hopeful and our community is always extremely supportive of our school."

Mail-in ballots will be sent Jan. 21 and need to be completed and returned by Feb. 8.