Warden School District levy request to go to voters

WARDEN — Warden School District voters will be asked to approve or reject a two-year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy during the general election Nov. 3.

The levy request is for $2 per $1,000 of assessed property value each year. The levy is projected to generate $1,082,316 in the first year and $1,168,901 in the second year.

If approved, the levy would replace the existing levy approved by voters in 2018. Because it’s a school EP&O levy, the proposal requires a bare majority, 50 percent plus one vote, to pass.

If the measure is approved, an owner of property worth $200,000 would pay $400 in property taxes each year toward the levy.

The EP&O levy was formerly called a maintenance and operations levy. In 2018, the Washington Legislature revised the programs that could be funded through the levy, which changed the name of the levy itself. If the levy is approved, Warden would be eligible for levy equalization funds from the state. Levy equalization is a program that provides extra state funding for districts that pass a levy but have relatively lower property values. District business manager Trisha Schock said Warden would qualify for about $660,000 in levy equalization each year.

District Superintendent Dave LaBounty said levy money pays for “things that the state doesn’t fund.” Warden uses levy money to supplement funding for counselors and the school nurse, Schock said, and to pay some health care costs.

The levy pays for all extracurricular activities, from high school sports to grade school field trips, LaBounty said. It also helps pay for the district’s College in the High School program, which allows qualifying juniors and seniors to take courses for college credit. College classes come with a fee, and Warden has received grants to pay most of the fee for kids who want to take the classes, but not all of it. Warden School Board members voted in 2019 to pay the rest of the fees.

The levy also pays for some maintenance costs that aren’t covered by state funds.

Ballots will be mailed about three weeks before the election date and must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Ballots dropped off at the post office on Election Day must be stamped at the window to ensure they are postmarked on the proper day.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.