- 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播
- Frequently Asked Questions
2024 Levy Renewal FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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The district has sent out communications about the need for budget reductions because of declining enrollment and cuts to federal ESSER school funding. If we pass a levy, will that eliminate the need for reductions?
No. Even with the replacement of current funding through this levy, the district will need to make reductions to adjust for enrollment declines, rising costs, and the expiration of ESSER federal revenue. For more information see the Finance and Budget FAQ.
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I heard that the district did not ask for or incorporate feedback from the community after the failure of the April, 2023 Bond proposal and 2023 Levy proposal. I also heard the district just took the projects from the failed Bond and Levy and put them in this levy. Is that true?
No.? The projects are close to the same because those are still the highest priority needs based on professional assessments of 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 facilities. The pre-k programs space expansion has been removed from this levy after community input ranked it lower in priority. The failed 2023 Bond asked for $495,000,000 to fund capital projects. The 2024 Capital Projects and Technology Replacement Levy asks for $190,200,000 over three years.
Following the failure of the 2023 Bond, the district conducted a Community Feedback Survey.?Those results were shared publicly and with the Board of Directors at their June 28, 2023, meeting.?A full public discussion did take place, and each citizen can? and review the materials on the agenda in BoardDocs.?
The 2024 capital projects were identified as emergent needs of the district in the failed 2023 Bond by the Bond Planning Task Force. The Bond Planning Task Force analyzed data produced from thorough internal and third-party assessments of each facility to determine a list of capital projects. A combined assessment of each facility’s , , and reveals the district’s capital facility needs at each location. Through a facilitated process, the Task Force reviewed these assessments and developed recommendations that aligned location needs with district-wide initiatives based on core values and best practices for the future of learning environments in 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播. Through a series of seven meetings, the Task Force members reached a consensus on a singular recommendation to be presented for consideration to the school board and superintendent.
The Bond project list was further refined and prioritized, with input from the community, for the failed 2023 Capital and Technology Levy and revised again for the 2024 ballot measure.
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I heard that voting no on this levy will not impact school district programs until 2025. Is this correct?
If the April levy does not pass, the district would immediately start preparing a budget for the next school year assuming a funding loss of $60,900,000 in 2025. Loss in revenue starting in January 2025 impacts the entire 2024-2025 school year budget,?for that entire year,?including all employment contracts and staffing decisions.?
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When is the election?
The election is April 23, 2024.?
Ballots are mailed about three weeks prior to an election day?– this year April 3, 2024.
Ballots must be returned by Election Day, no stamp required.?
For information about your ballot or other general election information, you can reach King County Elections at (206) 296-8683 or view Voter Registration information on our website.?
- Apr. 3 Ballots/Voter’s pamphlet mailed
- Apr. 4 Ballot drop boxes open
- Apr. 15 Deadline for mail/online voter? registration
- Apr. 23 Election Day
- May 3 Election certification
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Can levy projects be changed without board notification?
The board is notified when levy projects are changed.
The difference in levy projects versus bond projects is primarily that levy projects are not funded through Bond Sales, and therefore don’t involve an Official Statement and a set of assurances to bond purchasers, and a public hearing process set out in RCW for any amendments to plans represented as part of the Bond Sale
The 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 remains committed to transparency and accountability in the utilization of all bond and levy funds. Regular updates are provided in the monthly publication, Foundations, to ensure the community is informed about the progress or completion of projects in previously approved bond and levy measures.
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What is happening with Mill Creek fields?
Executive Director Dave Bussard and Deputy Superintendent Wade Barringer continue to meet with the city of Kent to provide a solution of flooding impacts to the Mill Creek Middle School field. The City is working with several outside entities, including the Army Corp of Engineers, regarding the creek itself. They are optimistic about the partnership and conversations toward a solution to the current creek situation that will reduce, but not eliminate, incidents of flooding.
The City is optimistic that work on Mill Creek will begin sometime in 2025 or shortly thereafter. The timing is largely dependent on federal permit approval which is not within the control of the City. The City’s project in the creek may take several seasons to complete due to the regulatory complications of working in a salmonid stream, but they are committed to completing the work as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, we intend to move forward with design, a concept rendering and initial surveying for improvements to the Middle School field, improvements which are not dependent on the work that will be performed by the City in Mill Creek. All agreed information and updates would be shared moving forward. The completion of this project will be funded by the 2024 Capital Projects and Technology Levy if approved.
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How many 2016 Bond and 2018 Levy projects have been completed? Have any of the projects exceeded levy funding?
Of the budgets closed on the levy, there were 35 projects over budget, with the rest under. These projects have not “exceeded overall levy funding.
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What is the impact of these proposed levies on my taxes? Where can I get good information about the taxing amounts and rates resulting from this proposal?
The district has made an extra effort to post several transparent and detailed tax tables and charts which can be reviewed on the?2024 February School Board Levy Presentation.
You can also contact the district at 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播Levy@kent.k12.wa.us?if you have more detailed questions.?
At a high-level, this proposal essentially increases the school district taxing authority by the rate of inflation.
The district cannot make projections about an individual property owner’s tax bill or property assessment. However, total tax collections for 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 are projected to go up less than 3% in 2024 as a result of this levy. The average over the four years of the levy is approximately 3.5%.
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I heard that the district is eligible for federal emergency relief funding under the new Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act (ESSER). So why do you need levies?
Like most larger districts in Washington, Kent is a recipient of ESSER funding from the Federal government.? However, according to?, this funding is to support expenditures “intended to prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”? According to the same regulation, these funds are initially available for obligation only through the end of 2024 school year.??
While the ESSER funds are targeted to a specific purpose, the Capital Projects & Technology Replacement Levy would?provide the majority of funding over the next three years for health and safety, critical repairs and improvements, and technology education, including the continuation of 1:1 student and teacher laptops and tablets.
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What happens if property values increase?
Over time, as property values rise and fall in a community, the same tax rate may in fact yield different total tax dollar obligations for a homeowner.??
The district cannot collect more than the approved maximum, even if property values go much higher.? ??
For Proposition 1, on the April 23, 2024, ballot, 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 understands our community and voter sensitivity. A?tax collection for our community?that also addresses the educational needs of our students was a primary goal of planning the levy.???
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- Calculates the estimated cost of property tax measures for each piece of property within the taxing district proposing the tax measure.??
- Voters can look up the properties they own.?
- Includes a link to the King County Elections website where voters can review the language of the ballot measures.?
Therefore, regardless of what property values do during the life of the levies, we are only able to collect the set amount listed below.? - Levy year 2025, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $60,900,000?
- Levy year 2026, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $63,400,000?
- Levy year 2027, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $65,900,000?
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What's on the April 23 ballot?
Health & Safety
- Healthy air ventilation and cooling systems?(HVAC)
- Upgrade alarm systems, including intruder alarms and fire alarms; some current alarms are over 20 years old.
- Mill Creek Middle School synthetic field and track as well as high school synthetic fields.
- Accessible and inclusive playground equipment at elementary schools.
- School entrance?additions for access control to provide security.
Repairs & Improvements?
- Boiler replacements; some boilers are original to the school building, and some are over 20 years old.
- New flooring- replace old, outdated, and heavy traffic-area flooring. Some current flooring is over 20 years old.
- Transportation Fueling Center – this is for code compliance.
- Fridge/freezer emergency power at Central Kitchen.
Access to Technology
- District devices for all students and staff; includes 1:1 tablets/laptops for each student.
- Most student and teacher devices are refreshed after four years due to battery life issues and software updates. What happens to devices after four years?
- The lowest grade devices that are not damaged and not financially viable to repair are disposed of.?
- Devices that are incompatible with software upgrades are also disposed of.?
- Devices that are still able to be used for educational purposes are:?
- Used for Summer School or other programs while students’ primary devices are being reimaged over the summer.?
- Used as backups in case primary student devices are lost/stolen/broken.
- Given to schools for temporary technology projects or purposes (special state testing or other specific assessments)?
- Most student and teacher devices are refreshed after four years due to battery life issues and software updates. What happens to devices after four years?
- Document camera replacement – students and staff can project a document to the classroom display system; the current document camera system is over 10 years old.
- Classroom display refresh – staff and students have access to interactive panels and touch screen devices where they can draw and write directly on the computer or panel screen.
- Internet connectivity for students at home to complete homework.
Teaching & Learning Tools
- Complete Microsoft platform - includes Outlook (district email system), Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams – online meetings, video, chat, project management, Microsoft security suite.
- Skyward– student information system. Families can access grades, email a teacher, find their student’s report card, report an absence, and much more. This system is an integral part of how student information is managed.
- Devices that allow digital textbooks for students; this reduces backpack load, provides digital accessibility and learning tools, and the ability to shift from class to class quickly and seamlessly.
- Canvas– student learning management system; students turn in their assignments digitally, teachers give assignments daily; this tool is necessary to provide education to students.
Modernize Infrastructure
- Phone system updates.
- Classroom voice amplification system so that all students can hear the teacher.
- Intercom system - 50% of our schools’ intercom systems are either failing or components of the system are failing. The intercom system provides communication of information to students and staff in the school building, including safety situations.
- Updated disaster recovery system for ransomware protection.
- Updated infrastructure capable of connecting devices faster and more securely.
Teacher & Staff Professional Development
- Project-Based Learning Training: provide engagement with real-world applications.
- Innovative Leaders Cohort: extra service time for educators.
- AI Training: stay abreast of AI advancements and best practices.
- Digital & Media Literacy Training: equip educators for responsible digital navigation.
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What will happen if Proposition 1 does not pass?
The district would not collect the amount of money listed below and would need to fund the essential projects out of basic education funds. With ESSER funding ending in 2024, this would be an impact to the budget.
Our school board legally may choose to place the same levy two times before voters in the same calendar year.?
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Levy year 2025, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $60,900,000?
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Levy year 2026, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $63,400,000?
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Levy year 2027, rate per $1,000 is $1.36, levy amount is $65,900,000?
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How is 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 funded?
澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 receives money from four sources.?The state?provides?the largest?portion?of the district’s annual?budget.?Federal dollars pay for a percentage of programs including Vocational Education, Special Education, Native American Education, English Language Acquisition, Disability,?and Nutrition?as well as special grants.?
Local funding?provides approximately?15% of the?operating?budget. Local funding is generated through levies and bonds approved by the voters. Both are based upon local property valuations—property owners pay a set amount for each $1,000 of property value.?
Once approved, bond and levy amounts cannot increase with property values. When property values increase in a community, the amount paid per $1,000 decreases.?
Local non-tax resources such as student fees, grants, Kent Schools Foundation donations, and PTSA?provide for?less than 1% of the annual budget.?
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Isn’t it the State’s job to fully fund education? Why are local levies even needed?
State funding of local public school districts is a work in progress. In 2018, the state legislature passed new laws increasing state support for school districts, while simultaneously limiting what school districts could raise through local voter-approved levies. However, the legislature never intended to eliminate local levies altogether. Since the passage of this new law, local school district costs have continued to rise, and state funding has not kept pace with these demands. Among other things, the state funding formula does not pay for:?
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The true cost of wages and benefits for 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 teachers and staff. 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 pays $40,000,000 above state allocations.
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The cost to support all of 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播’s classroom teachers.?
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The cost of hiring school nurses, guidance counselors, and other staff providing support to students.?
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The total cost of providing individualized educational programs and services to our students with special needs.?
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The cost of many of 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播’s basic operating costs which include information technology and cybersecurity services, as well as the cost to maintain school grounds, provide security services for all 澳门六合彩开奖现场直播 buildings, and support operational costs like basic utilities and liability insurance.?
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Who can I speak with if I have more questions or want to request a community informational presentation?
If you have questions or need?additional?information, please contact our?Deputy Superintendent,?Dr. Wade Barringer,?Wade.Barringer@kent.k12.wa.us,? or (253)?373-7203.??
For information about your ballot or other general election information, you can reach King County Elections at (206) 296-8683.?
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What happens to district devices when they reach the end of their lifecycle?
- The lowest grade devices that are damaged and not financially viable to repair are disposed of.
- Devices that are incompatible with software upgrades are also disposed of.
- Devices that are still able to be used for educational purposes are:
- Used for summer school or other programs while students’ primary devices are being reimaged over the summer.
- Used as backups in case student devices are lost/stolen/broken.
- Given to schools for temporary technology projects or purposes (special state testing or other specific assessments)
- Full-time running start students are provided a device if needed.
Contact Us
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Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Wade Barringer
Wade.Barringer@kent.k12.wa.us
(253) 204-1253Communications & Public Affairs
Communications@kent.k12.wa.us
(253) 373-7524Superintendent's Office
(253) 373-7701
Kent School Board
Find contact information for your district director.
School Principals