In 2006, Corvallis voters approved a Local Option Levy to help support local schools. This levy provided $8.6 million to the school budgets and allowed the school district to add the equivalent of 90 teaching positions while making up 10% of the operating budget.
In June of this year, this levy expires. Therefore, the Corvallis School Board has added Local Option Levy Measure 2-136 to the May 17 ballot, which would continue to support the schools to this level for another five years.
Levy funds would support:
- smaller class sizes
- continued instruction in music, PE, and art for elementary schools
- school counselors and social workers
- vocational / technical training
- instructional coaches and mentors
- extracurricular athletics
- other extracurricular activities
This levy would not increase tax bills, as the current levy taxation would simply continue at the same rate. That being said, if this levy passes, individual property taxes may not decrease – Oregon has a property tax limit based on the value of the property owned.
Local levies of this sort are used by communities as a means to supplement local school budgets. This levy does not affect the bond funds approved in 2018 which are currently being used to improve school facilities.
Please visit the Local Option Levy webpage for more information.
By Sally K Lehman
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