Submitted by the San Juan Island School District

The San Juan Island School District will be asking for voter support this coming Feb. 11 in a special election for reauthorization of the capital and technology levy for the years 2021-2024. The capital and technology levy provides funding for capital improvements, major facility repairs and technology equipment, implementation and support.

The basic education funding provided by the state of Washington does not provide any funds for school district capital facility improvements or technology. The district’s general fund, which is supported by state basic education dollars and the local educational programs and operations levy, pays for the daily operating expenses and minor repairs of our facilities.

Capital and technology funds are necessary to handle major repairs, system replacements, and improvement of facilities as well as educational and support systems provided through technology. For the current levy, voters approved $0.46 per $1,000 assessed value.

The district is asking voters to approve a four-year levy of $0.39 per $1,000 assessed value, an approximate annual cost of $195.99 for a home assessed at $500,000. The new proposed rate is less than the current levy rate.

Approval of this levy provides for the continuing excellence of our school facilities and sustains the delivery of a first-rate education supported by a strategic replacement schedule for technology systems and devices.

Further, this capital and technology levy continues to ensure that a greater portion of the general fund is directed to sustaining high-quality instruction and reasonable class sizes.

The full list of district capital and technology needs can be found at www.sjisd.wednet.edu.

If you have questions, please call Superintendent Kari McVeigh at the district office at 360-378-4133.