Othello board committee recommends $1.50 replacement levy to preserve state funding and support staffing

The Othello School District’s Future Ready committee recommended that the board place a replacement educational programs and operations levy on the February ballot at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for four years, covering 2027–2030.

Committee leaders told the board the $1.50 rate is a replacement rather than a new tax and is the minimum level that preserves the district’s eligibility for the state’s Local Effort Assistance. Presenters said the rate helps the district maximize state matching funds and stabilizes the district’s financial outlook while continuing current services.

Why it matters: committee members and finance staff said levies fill gaps left by the state funding formula and support staff compensation, counselors, athletics and arts programs. The presenters showed a spending breakdown that lists staff compensation and benefits as the largest single category, followed by activities and athletics.

The committee cited past impacts: district finance staff said changes in assessed value and levy-rate differentials resulted in about $3.2 million less state assistance over the current levy term than the district otherwise would have received. That shortfall was presented as a key reason to recommend maintaining the $1.50 rate.

Details and timeline: the committee recommended a four‑year replacement levy to reduce future election and planning costs and to align with neighboring districts that also pursue four‑year levies. The board was told staff plan to bring a replacement levy resolution for action at the Dec. 8 meeting so the district can meet county filing deadlines (Dec. 12) for a Feb. 10 election.

What the district told the board: presenters said a local dollar invested in the levy returns roughly $2.38 to the district when state assistance is included. They emphasized that anything below $1.50 would reduce the district’s Local Effort Assistance and materially affect the budget for counselors, security/SRO coverage, extracurriculars and staff positions.

Next steps: board members and staff invited more community members to participate as the committee turns next to capital and bond planning. The board did not take a levy action at the meeting; a formal resolution is expected for possible adoption at the Dec. 8 session.

Provenance: presentation and numbers cited by the Future Ready team and finance staff during the board meeting (see committee slides and finance remarks).