Levy is for Learning

1. What does the levy cover?
The levy covers 15 percent of the district's budget. It pays for textbooks, computers, classroom teachers, teaching assistants, arts programs, athletics, transportation, special education programs, before and after-school tutoring and more.

2. How much does the levy cost taxpayers?
The levy will not exceed $3.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value - the same rate as passed by voters in 2002. It replaces - not adds to - the previous levy. It is based on an estimated growth rate of 5 percent, a conservative estimate. If the growth rate is higher than 5 percent, the tax rate will be less than $3.53. In the last 15 years, the district's average annual growth rate has been more than 10 percent.

3. How does the levy help student learning?
State and federal governments provide only 80 to 85 percent of district money. The levy fills the gap. Bethel depends on local money to improve student learning. Since the last levy, district test scores have increased more than any other district its size.

4. How else has student achievement improved?
The number of students in Advanced Placement classes has gone up five-fold since 2002, the district won a national technology award in 2005, and students and staff earned the top arts awards in Pierce County in 2004 and 2005.

5. Does levy money buy textbooks?
The district has spent about $2.4 million on textbooks since 2003. New textbooks include math, English, and foreign languages. The district relies heavily on levy funds to buy textbooks. Math, social studies and science textbooks are scheduled to be purchased with funds from the 2006 levy.

6. How does the levy help teachers improve?
Teacher training is an important part of levy funds. Bethel offers offer dozens of classes for teachers to improve their skills. Turnout is at an all-time high. Recently the district's professional development program won a top award, recognizing it as one of the best in the state.

7. How is class size affected by the levy?
Keeping class sizes down is a priority. The district uses levy dollars to hire teachers and teacher aides. Without the levy, the district would be forced to cut classroom personnel - a move that would lead to larger classes and fewer program offerings.

8. When was the last levy election?
In April 2002, 67 percent of district voters supported the four-year levy. The 2006 levy replaces the expiring one. Without it, the district will lose 15 percent of its operating budget.

2002 Levy Track Record

• Washington's most improved school district for its size (15,000 to 20,000 students) based on WASL scores
• Graduation rate improved and is 8% above state average
• Winner of the prestigious "President's technology Award" in 2005 - the only district in the Northwest to receive it
• Five-fold increase in the number of students taking Advanced Placement tests
• Expanded and improved transportation (197 buses; 818 routes)
• Improved maintenance and cleanliness of buildings
• More than $2 million in new textbooks for English, math and foreign languages
• Expanded support to arts, music, physical education, sports
• Won top Pierce County arts award in 2004 and 2005
• Won state basketball title in 2005
• Added professional-technical classes like nursing and firefighting
• Added Navy Junior ROTC at Spanaway Lake High and Army Junior ROTC at Graham-Kapowsin High
• Significantly increased the number of staff members participating in professional staff development