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Othello board debates three-year, $1.50 levy amid budget shortfalls and timing pressure
Summary
School leaders recommended a three-year levy at about $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value and discussed whether to run in November or a February special election as the district projects deficits and a falling fund balance over the next four years.
The Othello School District Board discussed a staff recommendation to place a three-year local levy on the ballot — roughly $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value — to stabilize district finances in the face of projected shortfalls and potential federal grant losses. The recommendation, presented by district leadership, weighed timing (November vs. February), length (three years vs. four), and the amount needed to preserve services and fund balance.
Staff framed the vote as part of a broader fiscal plan: “If we keep it the same, we need 50%,” a member of administration said when describing the approval threshold and election mechanics. The recommendation was for a three-year levy timed to the February special-election calendar, allowing more time for informational outreach and coordination with associations; staff also presented a November option but cautioned that moving that…
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