FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
QUESTION: Shall the District levy $1.07 per $1,000 assessed value for each year of five years beginning 2011-2012 for operations? This measure renews current local option tax rate.
SUMMARY: This measure authorizes Riverdale School District No. 51J, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, Oregon, to levy a property tax in the amount of $1.07 per $1000 of assessed value each year for five years. The taxes would be used to help finance District operations. Without additional revenue, the district would have to reduce staff and services.
An estimate of the total amount to be raised each fiscal year is: $544,000 in 2011-2012; $555,000 in 2012-2013; $566,000 in 2013-2014; $577,000 in 2014-2015; and $589,000 in 2015-2016.
The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of estimate.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
What is the Local Option measure?
- This measure renews the existing levy approved by voters in both 2000 and 2005 and does not raise tax rates.
- The 5-year property tax levy will provide continued education funding. ALL funds raised by the levy will flow directly to Riverdale schools to serve our community's children.
Why does the Riverdale School District need Local Option revenues?
- State funding levels are declining and are not sufficient to maintain Riverdale's academic program, which ranks among the best in the state.
- The Local Option partially offsets Riverdale's loss of state funding.
- Riverdale received just $5,786 per student in state funding in 2009-2010, compared to $6,110 in 2007-08.
- The state announced a $577 million dollar shortfall in May 2010 resulting in a $200,000 cut in funds for Riverdale School District. On August 26th an additional $337.5 million shortfall was announced. Additional shortfalls are predicted to occur throughout this biennium. These shortfalls will result in further cuts to the Riverdale School District budget.
- Operating costs have continued to rise with the cost of living.
What will the renewal of this measure do?
- It renews the existing Local Option levy that was approved by Riverdale School District voters in 2000 and again in 2005.
- It retains the existing levy rate, which generates $530,000 per year, or roughly 9% of our District's annual operating funds.
How will Local Option dollars be used?
- Local Option resources become part of Riverdale's operating school budget and are used to:
- Retain classroom teachers
- Maintain low student-to-staff ratio. (Maintain class size)
- Support current programs
- Purchase instructional supplies
- Resources are NOT used to support construction or capital projects.
What would happen if the levy fails?
- Loss of roughly 9% of the District's annual operating funds.
- Deep programmatic cuts will be necessary in District educational programs. ($530,000 loss equates to seven teachers.)
How will continuation of the levy affect my taxes?
- Passage of the levy will not change your current tax rate; this is continuation of an existing tax rate.
- The exact amount varies from property to property, based on Ballot Measure 5 limitations. For a home assessed at $750,000 and taxed at the maximum Local Option tax rate of $1.07 per $1,000 of assessed value, the total annual cost would be approximately $803.
Submitted by:
Dr. Brook MacNamara
Superintendent
School Board, Riverdale School District 51J
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
Exceptional school systems don't just happen. It takes great teachers, a challenging curriculum, committed families, and unwavering community support. Riverdale School District has all of these. The District is renowned for providing an exceptional program of academic studies at both the elementary and high school level, maintaining its reputation of excellence, even as state support continues to decline.
Riverdale's success continues to attract families to Dunthorpe, making it one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Oregon. The District's outstanding academic reputation contributes to a substantial elevation in the resale value of neighborhood homes.
This is not a new tax. This is not a tax increase. To maintain high quality educational programs, Riverdale simply seeks to renew the Local Option approved by Riverdale School District voters in 2000 and again in 2005. The levy rate of $1.07 per $1000 of Assessed Value remains unchanged.
Your support for the Local Option levy will help to generate approximately $530,000, per year for the next five years—with 100 percent of the funds going to Riverdale to maintain the level of educational services our neighborhood expects. This form of reliable funding is critical – 9% of the district's annual operating budget -- in the face of dwindling state support.
Exceptional schools are essential not only for the kids who attend them, but also for the community they serve. Exceptional schools lead to a vibrant community and attractive property values.
We believe that a strong Riverdale School District benefits us all.
Please support your community: Keep Riverdale Schools Exceptional.
Please vote YES for the Riverdale School District 51J Local Option.
Bill/Tina Brown Steven/Elisa Klein
Bill/Holly Coit Gerry/Kim Langeler
Ben/Sara Conte Steve/Jenni Leasia
Jim/Debbie Coonan Pat/Carol Lewallen
Andy/Laura Ford Chris/Sarah Remy
Sylvia Breed Gates Matt Semler/Ashley Campion
Dean/Kirsten Griffith Pat Terrell
Brent/Chrys Hutchings Marybeth Van Buren
Roy Hemmingway Lincoln/Pam Ware
Doug Key Bob/Kathy Wiggins
(This information furnished by Leslie Goss, Committee For Riverdale Schools)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.