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Dear North Franklin Parents, Students and Patron
A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, Air Traffic Control asked, "What was your last known position?" Student: "When I was number one for takeoff". Time has been flying and trying to recall our last known position might be difficult, however the good news is that we definitely know where we are going. There are a lot of great things happening in our classrooms due to our dedicated staff, and the efforts of our students.
January is Board Member Recognition Month, and I didn’t want to miss my opportunity to thank our 5 board members Remie DeRuwe, Roger Bailie, Kara Booker, Tim Taylor and Diana Crowther. They do an outstanding job of keeping the district on track and doing what is best for our students. Thank you so much for your time and hard work!!
As far as a construction update on Connell Elementary, the building site plan and design are almost complete. We currently are in the process of finalizing the details and acquiring the permits needed to proceed. The project will be ready for bid in April. We are still hoping to break ground in April or May. In addition to the construction project we are also running a levy in order to maintain the current academic programs and maintenance of our schools. We have done everything we can to streamline our budgets and provide our patrons with a conservative rate for their taxes. Our four communities have been so supportive in helping our school district meet the needs of our students and go above and beyond in helping us improve and maintain our facilities. As I travel to other school districts to observe competitions or academic events I am so appreciative of our school facilities and how they are taken care of. In order to make sure we are communicating our message I have attached some additional information below.
Answers To February 9th Levy Questions
Q. Why does the North Franklin School District need an operations levy?
A. The levy allows the District to continue basic educational programs and services which are not fully funded by the state. Levy money makes up 16 percent of the District’s operating budget.
Q. Didn’t we pass the levy two years ago?
A. Yes. The current levy expires at the end of 2010. Every two years, we ask voters to renew the levy.
Q. How is levy money used?
A. Levy money is used to fund basic programs including bus transportation, textbooks, technology, library materials, athletics/activities and utilities expenses.
Q. What is levy equalization money?
A. If the levy is approved, the district will receive an additional $1.1 million in state levy equalization money in 2011 and $1.1 million in 2012 (assuming that the state legislature continues funding of this program). The state provides this money to school districts which have relatively low property values so students in less affluent or smaller districts receive a comparable education to students in wealthier districts.
Q. As the total assessed valuation of all property in the North Franklin School District goes up, does the District collect more money?
A. No. The District can only collect the fixed amount of money approved by the voters - $1.7 million in 2011 and $1.75 million in 2012. The District’s levy tax rate has dropped $1.27 cents in the last six years. In 2004, property owners paid $3.83 per $1000 of assessed valuation. In 2010, they are paying an estimated $2.56 per $1000. As total assessed valuation goes up, the District’s tax rate goes down.
Q. Are there levy exemptions for senior citizens?
A. Yes. Seniors with a household income of $35,000 or less may qualify for an exemption from levies. Call the county assessor at (509)545-3506 if you have questions or want more information.
Q. How do our rates compare to surrounding districts?
A. North Franklin $2.56
Othello $2.62
Clarkston $3.48
Kennewick $3.24
Kiona-Benton $4.64
Prosser $3.27
Richland $2.95
Pasco $4.55
Q. What does the levy fund?
A. The levy is about 22% Sports, 47% Academics and about 31% Maintenance and Operations
· All High School and Junior High Sports
· Math Teams (4-12)
· Knowledge Bowl (9-12)
· Field Trips (every grade level K-6 will have a field trip provided by levy funds)
· 7 Teachers (AP Courses, Electives, Smaller Class Sizes)
· Choir Program – 7-8 Choir Class, CHS Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Ensemble Choir
· 7-8 Drama Class, CHS Drama Club
· Band and Choir Competitions
· Teacher Professional Development
· Curriculum Purchases
· Technology (all of NFSD technology is provided by the levy)
· Capital Projects (repair, flooring, roofs, irrigation, HVAC)
· District Nurse
· Utilities, Insurance, Classroom Teacher Supplies, Copy Machines
If you have any further questions please feel free to call me at 234-2021 or email me at
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. We also have levy and construction information posted on our website at www.nfsd.org. Again thank you for your support and anything that we can do to improve our schools and help prepare our students better, please call or write me.
Sincerely,
Gregg Taylor
Superintendent
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