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Ridgefield board unanimously backs two levies for Feb. 11 special election
Summary
The Ridgefield School District board voted unanimously to approve a resolution endorsing Proposition 12 (a three-year replacement EPO levy) and Proposition 13 (a three-year capital and technology levy) for the Feb. 11, 2025 special election, and directed staff to provide factual information to voters.
The Ridgefield School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2024 D225 D004 endorsing two levy measures that will appear on the Feb. 11, 2025 special-election ballot.
The resolution, moved and seconded during new business, expresses the board’s support for Proposition 12, a three-year replacement educational programs and operations (EPO) levy, and Proposition 13, a three-year capital projects and technology levy. The board’s action also directs the superintendent and district staff to provide accurate, factual information about the measures in compliance with applicable laws.
Superintendent Dr Rodriguez explained the measures to the audience and the board. According to the district’s presentation, Proposition 12 is a replacement EPO levy estimated to raise about $44 million over three years with an approximate tax rate of $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value (a roughly 25-cent increase over the district’s prior EPO estimate). Proposition 13 is framed as a three-year capital and technology levy, estimated to raise about $21 million over three years at roughly $0.84 per $1,000 assessed value. The superintendent said Proposition 13 would fund three things: construction of a planned third elementary, targeted deferred-maintenance projects (roofs and HVAC on older buildings) and restoring the district’s technology-replacement budget.
Board members emphasized the role levies play in funding coaches, performing arts, curriculum inservice days and technology replacement that the state does not fully cover. The resolution also encourages eligible voters to participate in the special election.
The board’s endorsement does not itself place the measures on the ballot; it records the district’s support and commits staff to distribute factual information about the propositions in accordance with state election law. The district posted a frequently asked questions document and design images for the proposed elementary on its website, and staff said they would flag what elements were removed from the original design to be clear to the public.
Next steps: the propositions will appear on the Feb. 11, 2025 ballot. The board’s resolution directs district staff to proceed with voter information efforts; no further board action on the resolution was required at the meeting.
