PROP 1 Educational Programs and Operations
We all benefit when our kids benefit!
8,000 students in our community need your support. Our schools are known for caring for each individual, exceptional graduation rates, stewarding resources wisely and keeping our promises with school renovations and building projects. We need your support on Proposition 1, which funds approximately 15% of our operating budget.
THe problem:
Public schools across Washington are not fully funded. Franklin Pierce Schools is known for caring for each individual, exceptional graduation rates, stewarding resources wisely and keeping our promises with school renovations and building projects, yet we lack funding to meet the needs of students. We need your support on Proposition 1, which funds approximately 15% of our operating budget.
The Franklin Pierce Schools budget is approximately $140,000,000. This budget supports 14 schools, nearly 8,000 students, and 1,100 staff. While most of the basic education funding is provided by the state and specified funding is provided by the federal government, the district relies on approximately 15% ($20,000,000) of its budget to come from local levies.
Washington state has a model for what the average school should look like. The model does not take into account the holistic needs of students, the fact that students learn better in smaller class sizes, and the many social, emotional and safety supports that students desperately need. Franklin Pierce Schools students would not get the support that they need if it was not for the generous support of the local community.
The fix:
Franklin Pierce Schools relies on the support of our local community to serve students. We are looking for ways to decrease the tax burden on local voters while continuing to provide quality supports for students and families. The fix is not the solution. The fix is a four-year commitment from the Franklin Pierce community to invest $2.50/$1,000 of assessed property value to go toward helping kids and families. The solution is working with legislators to fully fund public education throughout our state.
Prop 1 replaces an existing levy passed by voters in 2018 at $4.74/ $1,000 with a new levy set at $2.50/$1,000 from 2023-2026. This is not a tax rate increase and will allow schools to expand services for students.
The Educational Programs and Operations tax rate would remain at $2.50/$1,000 from 2023-2026. It is likely that the overall tax rate associated with local schools would go down as the 2016 construction bond rate decreases.
The result:
Prop 1 allows kids to access rich learning, life resources and caring adult relationships. Franklin Pierce Schools does so much more than teach reading and writing. Our schools provide meals, mental health resources, recreation and co-curricular opportunities, social, emotional and relational learning, career development, future planning supports, and so much more.
Prop 1 funds teachers, paraeducators, counselors, psychologists, nurses and safety personnel to support student’s academic, social, emotional and physical needs. These critical staff positions help students to learn, to prepare for their futures, and to contribute to our community.
8,000 reasons to vote YES!
