By Daniel Nash

The Courier-Herald

The Sumner School District’s board of directors has authorized a ballot measure for the February 2010 special election. The tax levy would replace a current levy that was approved by voters in 2006.

The proposed levy would help fund educational programs, maintenance and operations for the school district’s campuses.

Levy dollars provide 20 percent of the district’s general fund budget and help pay for classroom teachers and paraeducators as well as support staff like bus drivers, custodians and secretaries.

Athletics, drama, music and other extracurricular programs are also funded through levies.

If approved by voters, the replacement levy will be in effect for four years, from 2011 to 2014.

The total levy authority for each year it would be in effect, in chronological order, is $17 million, $18 million, $19 million and $21 million.

In a press release issued by Communications Director Ann Cook, the estimated tax rate for the first year of the levy would be $2.93 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The estimated rate for subsequent years is $3.01, $3.09 and $3.32.

An owner of a $200,000 property would expect to pay $586 for the first year of the levy and $664 for the final year.

For more information, call Cook at 253-891-6070.