Community Education

Get information on Peninsula Schools’ levies at meetings in January

Peninsula School District has set three meetings in January to inform the public about two levies that will be on the Feb. 14 ballot.

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District leaders will present information about the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Safety, Security and Technology Levy, and they’ll answer voters’ questions.

Times and dates

The meetings will take place on the following dates:

• 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Peninsula School District main office, 4015 62nd Ave NW in Gig Harbor and on Zoom. Register to receive a Zoom link at https://forms.gle/ek1zMkJmp7vWUoA3A;
• 6 p.m. Jan. 18 on Zoom. Register to receive a Zoom link at https://forms.gle/pwTqQXHA2v1eFoUH7;
• 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Evergreen Elementary School, 1632 Key Peninsula Highway SW in Lakebay.

Levy background

The three-year Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (Proposition 1) will replace the current levy, which expires at the end of 2023. It will provide continued funding to supplement state spending on staffing and programs. This levy accounts for about 18 percent of the district’s overall budget.

The operations levy helps fund costs for staff such as nurses, counselors and educators. It also supplements funding for activities like athletics, arts, music and clubs, and operations costs like transportation and preventative maintenance projects.

The six-year Safety, Security and Technology Levy (Proposition 2) will provide enhanced safety, security systems and technology improvements across the district. “It will create a dedicated funding source to better protect, serve and prepare students for the future,” the district states.

This levy includes secure building access controls, emergency communications systems, security cameras and cyber security services. It will also support student and staff devices and classroom instructional equipment.

What it’ll cost

The levy rates are estimated to be $1.13 per $1,000 of assessed value for the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy and $0.25 for the Safety, Security and Technology Levy.

The total local school tax rate, including both levies and the existing bond, is estimated to be $1.82 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2024. This is lower than the total current rate of $2.01 based on 2022 assessed values.

“PSD will continue to be fiscally responsible, making essential investments in our students while maintaining the second-lowest overall school tax rate in Pierce County,” the district states.

For more information, visit psd401.net/levy.