Woodland schools will ask voters to approve two-year levy

The Woodland School District will ask voters in February to support a two-year maintenance and operations levy to help maintain school programs.

The Woodland School Board on Monday evening unanimously approved the resolution to place the levy on the Feb. 9 ballot. The board held a meeting last week to hear public input on the maintenance and operations levy. About 20 people attended the meeting and offered suggestions.

The proposed levy would bring in $2.95 million in 2011 and $3.1 million in 2012. Superintendent Michael Green said the modest increase of about 5 percent is necessary to maintain programs in the schools.

“Recognizing the tough economic times, the board really sought to be conservative and at the same time maintain our current programs as best we can,” Green said.

Maintenance and operations levies pay costs such as special education, transportation, textbooks and safety programs that are not covered by state education dollars. The levy pays for about 13 percent of the current educational program, according to the district.

The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire in 2010.

The board was considering asking voters to approve a three-year levy, but Green said the two-year replacement levy was chosen because it’s the most conservative approach.

Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.