Mail In Your Ballot for Clover Park School District Replacement Levy on Feb. 14

Lakewood residents must decide on a replacement levy on Feb. 14 to benefit the Clover Park School District's four-year current educational programs and operations. Ballots have been mailed out.

All that's left for Lakewood voters to do is fill out their ballot and mail it in.

Pierce County’s Feb. 14 Special Election Voters’ Pamphlet is available online by clicking here and will be mailed to voters on Jan. 19. More detailed information about educational programs and operations levy is available on the district’s website here or by calling the district’s financial services office at 253-583-5020.

Patch originally reported the District Board of Directors approved a resolution for a replacement levy in September. The levy is anticipated to be no more than $3.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rate could go down as housing values increase, according to a press release by the school district.

If approved by voters, the levy will generate:

• $20.1 million in 2013
• $20.7 million in 2014
• $21.1 million in 2015
• $21.1 million in 2016

Levy Funding

If the levy passes, the bulk of the funds are slated for classroom support, according to Superintendent Debbie LeBeau.

Classroom Support (80 percent)

Levy funds are expected to be used to maintain reduced class sizes, purchase textbooks and classroom instructional materials, support school libraries, provide student academic/career guidance counselors and health room assistance including nurses and health clerks, continue educational program improvements (gifted, ELL, special education and assessments) and district-wide teaching and learning activities, including training.

School Maintenance and Operations (12 percent)

The second most funded item as part of the revised levy will pay for school and building maintenance, ground maintenance, student transportation, food services and classroom furniture.

School Technology (7 percent)

Levy funds are used for technology in schools. This includes classroom computers, instructional software, upgraded wiring and Internet access costs.

Safety and Security (1 percent)

Levy funds are used for safety and security measures in schools including school resource officers, campus supervisors, fire alarms and facility/property security systems.

If the levy is approved, it will make the district eligible for local effort assistance, also known as levy equalization funding, from the state. This money is available to the district only if voters approve the levy proposal.