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Skamania board approves three-year levy step to boost local funding
Summary
The Skamania School District board approved a three-year levy step increase—$22,500 added each year—to support expenses not covered by state funding; board heard levy projection showing a 2026 maximum of $446,006 and an estimated rate of $1.07 per $1,000 assessed value.
The Skamania School District Board of Directors voted Oct. 15 to approve a three-year levy step that increases levy collections by $22,500 each year to support district expenses beyond state and federal funding.
Presenter Charles Hole described the levy mechanics and projections, saying "the district’s 2026 levy maximum is $446,006, with an approved levy amount of $280,000, resulting in an estimated rate of $1.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation." He told the board that levy uses commonly cover teacher and administrative salaries beyond state apportionment, food service, inter-district payments and maintenance and operations costs. He also outlined the board’s obligations for adopting a levy resolution, including declaring need, setting the election date, defining amount and duration, and preparing a ballot title.
Board member Donald Collins moved to approve the $22,500 annual step increase for the next three years; Jeremy Silver seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board discussed variables that could affect future levy capacity, including enrollment trends, CPI adjustments, assessed valuation growth and possible legislative changes to per-pupil funding.
The vote completed the formal action needed to place the levy planning amount into board policy and preparation for the ballot process; the board did not set an election date in the Oct. 15 action. The district will follow OSPI guidance and county election requirements as it prepares levy materials and the voters’ pamphlet.
