Vote Yes for Longview Schools – Longview Citizens for Quality Schools

Thanks for visiting the Longview Citizens for Quality Schools website.

This website is produced by The Longview Citizens for Quality Schools citizen committee. Our role is to provide you with information to have you vote YES for the replacement Capital Projects and Technology Levy. Please visit Longview School District’s website for more information.

Longview’s kids and community need your support for the replacement levy.

In 2018, 61 percent of voters approved the Longview Schools Capital Projects and Technology Levy and we hope you vote “yes” on the replacement levy. The citizens in our community understand the importance of providing the school district with the funds it needs to maintain quality schools and provide up to date technology students and classrooms. Voting in favor of the Capital Projects and Technology Levy is not about paying, it is about supporting the students in our community so they can reach their academic goals.

The facility needs of the school district are significant and the passage of this replacement levy will help repair, replace and upgrade schools across the district. Supporting the levy means the district can continue its work in upgrading school security to keep our kids safe while they are in class and provide parents peace of mind. Voting in favor of the capital projects levy will help local businesses who will have the opportunity to complete the levy work like installing new school roofing, replacing worn out electrical systems and upgrading broken down plumbing.

Voting yes for the replacement levy is about supporting the students, but taxes are a consideration too. In this case, the district is asking for less in tax collections for the replacement levy than voters are currently paying. The district has been responsible in what they are asking for and we hope you join us in voting “yes” for the replacement levy on April 26.

Thanks for visiting the Longview Citizens for Quality Schools website.

Longview’s kids and community need your support for the replacement levy.

While the kids get practical benefits of the levy projects, the community is not without some real long-term benefits. Taxpayers should look at this in two ways. You have two choices. Don’t pay the taxes and it may look like you are saving money during the next four years- please read on. The error of line of thought is the costs for ‘kicking the can down the road’ will only grow and cost us more in the near future. The needs don’t go away = they just build on each other. The cost to recover for doing little to nothing only will cost the community more than if taken care of now.

Our community came within 2% of the super-majority (60%) needed to approve two bonds over the past few years. Passage of either would have taken care of many of the projects in this levy. Those bond failures is a hard pill to swallow as the minority set the stage we take action now. Many of the projects in this Capital Projects and Technology levy would have been addressed had the bonds passed.

What is a Capital Projects and Technology levy?

This is a replacement for the 2018 Capital Projects and Technology levy. That levy was a step in enabling the school district to address facility maintenance identified on a prioritized list of projects at every school. In also included improvements in safety and security. Unknown at the time was the need of laptops for learning for every student during the COVID 19 crisis – but the levy gave us a great head start.

There are still many unmet needs that need to be addressed on a continuing basis. While the budget each year has a sizable amount just for maintenance, it doesn’t come close to meeting the needs. A majority of our voters understand this an is one reason they have supported the Capital Projects and Technology levies for years. They run for two to four years and then need replacing.

Check out this video from the Longview School District

NOT a new tax

This is not a new tax. If approved, this levy will replace the one expiring levy that expires at the end of 2022

This replacement Capital Projects and Technology Replacement Levy will address many needs over the next four years without raising the tax rate. Funding $21.3 Million over a four-year period without any change on the tax rate of property. How can this be done? First and understanding on how levy money is collected. Levy dollars are a dollar amount and the rate is set to collect that amount. With the middle school bonds going off the tax rolls we can address just some of the needs that were in the last couple of bond attempts.

That addresses the tax question, but the more important reason to replace the current Capital Projects and Technology Levy is the needs are there. Contrary to some understandings, the state does not fund all needs of a school district.

What will it provide?

This Capital Projects and Technology levy has five major focuses – and every school will have needs addressed.

Classroom Environment – Improve instructional setting through update to flooring, lighting, HVAC system and window replacements

Extend Useful Asset Life – Repair, replace and upgrade facilities to extend both the usefulness and asset life of our schools

Safety and Security upgrades – Increase the safety of school buildings and grounds. Upgrade school facilities to support keeping students and employees safe.

Technology – Support academic achievement and learning environment through keep our technology tool current.

Memorial Stadium/Athletic & Activities – Improve the stadium complex asset life, increase safety for student athletes and the ability to use the complex for more events to benefit all sports and activities.