The Centralia City Council unanimously voted last week in favor of an ordinance supporting the Centralia School District levy on the April 27 ballot.
Passage of an ordinance declaring the city’s support of the levy was one of the goals laid out in the city’s strategic plan.
“Passage of a resolution of support was one of the activities the city will engage in to show its commitment to the Centralia School District,” City Manager Rob Hill said in a written statement to the council.
The district’s two previous attempts to pass a levy both failed, with a February 2020 proposal asking for $2.50 per $1,000 failing with 69 percent of voters opposed and an August 2020 proposal for $2 per $1,000 failing with 50.38 percent opposed.
This time around, the district is asking for $1.50 per $1,000. If passed, collection would begin in 2022. In total, the levy is estimated to raise $2.4 million in the 2021-2022 school year and $4.6 million in the 2022-2023 school year.
The district’s previous levy expired in December 2020.
If the current levy proposal passes, funds will go toward funding instructional facilitators, such as teacher’s aides; technology maintenance; support for special education students and highly-capable students; music programs; performing arts programs; athletic programs; and counseling and behavioral support programs.
The school district is hosting one more “coffee o’ clock” virtual meeting with superintendent Lisa Grant prior to the April 27 voting deadline to help answer voters’ questions. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20 and can be accessed at https://zoom.us/j/96829282118.
More information on the levy is available online at www.centralia.k12.wa.us/Page/4290.
