Two Days to Vote "YES!"

Just two more days to vote "YES" for our schools. Please scroll down to read our initial blog post, and use the tabs above if you are in need of additional information to make an informed decision.

We are very grateful as well to a few students from Liberty Bell High School who have put their own skills to task in a video call to action:

Thanks again to all for your support of our schools!

Vote Yes for our Schools!

Welcome to the website for Methow Valley Citizens for Schools. 

Who We Are:  We are a group of parents and community members who support our Methow Valley public schools.  Co-chaired by Winthrop residents Sarah and Erik Brooks, we are dedicated to helping our community understand the critical capital improvements needed for our school bus fleet, campus grounds, buildings, and athletic facilities.

What We Support:  Two levies will be on the April 2015 ballot for registered voters in Methow Valley School District 350.  We encourage you to vote YES on both levies:

• Transportation Vehicle Fund Levy:  This two-year levy will allow the District to purchase 6 new school buses.  Our current fleet of 15 buses serves one of the longest routes in the state with a fleet averaging more than 10 years-old.  Current bus repair expenditures are growing as our fleet ages and this takes money from the school's General Fund -- money that otherwise would be spent on teaching and learning.  This levy will increase property taxes by 31 cents per $1000 of assessed value in 2016 and 2017.  For a $250,000 property, this means about $6.50 per month for two years.  We believe this is a reasonable and prudent investment in the safety of our students.

• Capital Improvements Levy:  This six-year levy will provide necessary funds for maintenance and improvements to our school buildings, campus grounds, and athletic facilities.  You can access a full list of the projects that will be funded by the levy by clicking on the "tab" above called "Project List."  Our school buildings are at least 20 years-old and they need ongoing care to maintain safe and effective places for students to learn.  This list emerged from a comprehensive review of pressing needs by the school district's Facilities Task Force which formed last April.  This levy will increase property taxes by 58 cents per year in 2016 (and decrease slightly thereafter) per $1000 of assessed value.  For a $250,000 property, this means approximately $12 per month.  The items on this project list are not only important for student safety but also represent smart investments today to avoid more expensive crises later.  We believe that supporting these improvements is a wise use of caring for the school assets that are our collective responsibility.

Where & When:  Ballots will be mailed around April 8th and are due back in the mail by April 28th.  We urge everyone who cares about our students and our schools to vote YES on both levies.

To Learn More:  The "tabs" above provide further information about the levies and their impacts on our taxes.

• Project List Tab:  Provides a list of all the projects proposed under the levies.
• Tax Rate Comparables:  Shows how Methow Valley property owners' tax rates for local school related taxes compare to other neighboring districts and other districts with similar assessed values.  You'll see that right now we have some of the lowest tax rates for local school related programs and even with the passage of both levies, we will continue to have some of the lowest tax rates by either measure.
• Tax Example:  Provides a more detailed chart about the per month implications of passing both of these levies.
• FAQs:  Offers some of the frequently asked questions (and answers) about the levies.  

Contact Us:  If you have any questions, feel free to email us at mvcitizens4schools@gmail.com or call us at 509-996-4345.