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Local Option Levy #34-193 - November 8, 2011

Levy Information Resources

Informational Flyer [SPANISH PDF Document]

Election Filing Information PDF Document

Community Mailer PDF Document

Calculator Tax Amount Calculator

Levy Calculation Examples Grid PDF Document

Why

The Beaverton School District Board is proposing a 5-year Local Option Levy that could provide the District with additional operating funds to offset teacher and educational program reductions. The Local Option Levy could raise approximately $14 million per year, generating an estimated $70 million over five years. 100% of levy proceeds would be spent in classrooms for teachers and educational programs.

The recession has caused the Oregon Legislature to reduce the State School Fund that provides operating funds for K-12 schools statewide. In the last four years, the Beaverton School District has reduced its budget by $105 million, raising class sizes, and cutting educational programs.

For the 2012-2013 school year, the District is projecting a funding shortfall of approximately $24-37 million, the equivalent of at least 300 teachers, or 24 school days. The Beaverton School District is anticipating that there will be several more years of state revenue shortfalls.

What
Funding for school in Oregon is primarily controlled by the state Legislature. In 1999, the Oregon Legislature signed into law the local option, a funding mechanism that allows communities to make some local funding decisions for their schools. All local option funds would stay in the Beaverton School District, none would go to Salem.

When
The local option tax measure will appear on the November 8, 2011 ballot. This a vote-by-mail election, and ballots will be mailed to all registered voters by the third week in October.

To be eligible to vote, you must be registered by October 18, 2011. Completed ballots must reach the county elections office by 8:00 p.m. November 8, 2011. Ballots postmarked Nov. 8 will not count. Contact the Washington County Elections Office to register, 503-846-5800.

How Much
The authorized levy would be $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value per year for five years. The actual property taxes collected would vary from property to property. To estimate your tax, please visit the Beaverton School District web site and click on Local Option Levy.

Taxpayer Oversight
An independent audit committee would review expenditures so funds are used as approved by voters.