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La Center superintendent urges voters to approve replacement school levy; students testify to programs at risk
Summary
La Center School District Superintendent Peter Rosenkrantz told council the district is asking voters to approve a replacement levy at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to preserve class sizes, activities and career programs; students described how levy-funded activities affect their school experience.
La Center Superintendent Peter Rosenkrantz told the La Center City Council on Jan. 22 that the school district is asking voters to approve a replacement levy at a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain programs and staffing the district says state funding does not cover.
“The state does make a claim that they fund education completely, but they actually fund only about 85%. And the levy makes up about 10%,” Rosenkrantz said, adding the levy request is a replacement at the same rate and, if approved, collections would begin in 2026. Ballots, the superintendent said, will be mailed Jan. 24 and are due Feb. 11.
The levy, Rosenkrantz said, pays for a range of items including smaller class sizes, extracurriculars, technology and safety upgrades. He told council the district maintains a lean operating balance — “we have an ending fund balance … of $1,800,000” — and that without levy revenue the district would face cuts similar to ones made after a prior failed levy.
Several student leaders addressed council to describe how levy-funded programs have affected them. “Without the sports and activities that we have now at the La Center, I would probably spend a lot more time at home, on screens,” one student said. Another, Isabella, said levy-funded activities such as ASB, track and drama made her more engaged: “Without the levy funds, I would not be as nearly as involved and I wouldn't be as well rounded as an individual.”
Rosenkrantz said the district is asking only for “what we need” and noted the request accounts for community growth rather than an increase in rate. He also described the levy as a replacement measure that preserves the district’s current $1.50 rate while adjusting revenue within that rate for inflation and growth.
The presentation occupied council time during the meeting; council members praised the students’ participation and reiterated the legal restriction that council members may not use their positions to promote or oppose a ballot measure during the meeting.
The district provided a summary of programs funded by the levy, including K–3 class-size targets, advanced placement and CTE courses, SkillsUSA and athletics, and said cost increases have outpaced revenue by roughly 28 percent. The superintendent said the district has a history of stewardship and makes “tough choices” when funding is tight.
Council members did not take a formal action on the levy during the meeting. The superintendent and students asked the community to vote; council members reminded the public that elected officials must not use council time to campaign for or against ballot measures.
