We are in the final days of this year's state legislative session where they are currently considering the state budget.  Right now there is a bill in the Senate that will directly reduce funding to our school districts statewide to the tune of $68 million.  ISD will directly be impacted at a rate of $1.55 million if the Senate version of the bill passes which includes an adjustment from 4% to %1 of the per pupil inflator (PPI)  factor used to calculate the school district levy base.  PPI is not an adjustment for inflation.  PPI simply addresses the increased cost for school districts of doing business (health care costs, unemployment costs, insurance costs, etc) and is an essential tool to help maintain levy base stability.  The levy base is derived from a combination of state and federal revenues.  The dramatic cuts in state funding in 2009-10 will over time decimate school levy bases.  If PPI is reduced to 1%, the levy base statewide will be lower in 2011 than in 2010!   Many districts built their multi-year school levies – and received voter approval – in reliance on the 4% PPI in the 2009-11 budget.  The Senate budget will dramatically cut those levies but the House version of the bill maintains a current level of funding relative to the per pupil inflator.

 Please call or email your State representatives TODAY and let them know you do not want any further cuts to education and that you want the House version of the bill to stand.  Your voice matters!  Make it personal if possible.  You can use the link below to find out who your representatives are.

 http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/

 Please take action...we ALL have to voice our opinions to protect our children's right to the best education possible. Please let your representatives know they need to restore the PPI to 4% so that districts can collect the funding that voters throughout the State have authorized. 

You can register to vote online at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.aspx

Have you moved?  Let the County know where to send your ballot by going to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.asp

Levy News Contact:  Carol Stamper, carol.stamper@comcast.net

Legislative News:
Contact Jennifer Edson with questions.