Mount Pleasant School District to try for levy

The Mount Pleasant School District will be putting a levy before voters for the first time ever.

Currently, the district uses federal forest funds allocated to Skamania County in place of a levy. However, these funds will expire in January, giving the district enough money to continue through June 2013 only.

Without the two-year levy or forest funds, the district will have to dissolve and merge with the Washougal School District.

If approved, the two-year, $200,000 levy would result in a property tax increase of $2.30 for every $1,000 of assessed value, or $460 per year in additional property taxes on a $200,000 home.

The district has three full-time teaching positions, an annual budget of $600,000 and 52 students who attend the kindergarten through sixth-grade school.

The levy will be decided on Aug. 16. Ballots will be mailed out to registered voters on Friday, July 29. Currently, there are approximately 150 registered voters in the district.

The School Board decided to ask voters to approve a levy after much consideration, according to Superintendent Teresa Baldwin.

“The Mount Pleasant Board of Directors has reviewed many options in its due diligence study before reaching the decision to present a tax levy,” she said.

Specifically, funds will be used for transportation and bus maintenance, utilities, insurance. salaries, classroom materials and supplies, technology and custodial supplies.