[Mjhsteam] Supplemental Levy Election November 13th 2007

[Margaret C. Jenkins]

Dear Parents,

 

Last Spring, the voters of Moscow voted to approve a supplemental levy for
our schools.  As you probably know, the vote was challenged in a law suit,
and the Moscow School District has been advised by the Court to re-run the
election.  A special School Board Meeting was held October 9, 2007, to
decide whether to rerun the election.  

 

At the meeting, MSD Superintendent Candis Donicht summarized the Court's
findings and instructions:

 

- Regarding the initial 1992 election to establish the permanent
supplemental levy, the judge found this to be a legal election. So this
stands.
- Regarding the subsequent supplemental levy increases in 1997 and 2002, the
judge stated that these levies were time-barred and cannot be challenged. So
those increases stand.
- Regarding whether or not the levies were legal in the first place, the
judge said yes.
- Regarding whether the ballot in 2007 was properly framed, the judge said
that the language is flawed. The ballot needs to have the total amount of
the levy (current amount plus increase  total levy) stated clearly.
- The judge found that there was no bad faith on the part of the district.

The School Board voted unanimously to run the supplemental levy increase
election again.  The election will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at
the Latah Fairgrounds Exhibit Building from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The
election will ask voters whether or not to approve an increase of $1,970,000
per year for a total of $7,616,000 per year for an indefinite number of
years to cover lawful expenses for maintaining and operating the schools in
the Moscow School District beginning the school year 2007-2008.  Voters
wishing to request absentee ballots may contact the MSD office; telephone
882-1120.

 

MSD Superintendent Candis Donicht will attend our next Parent Group Meeting
on November 6, 2007 to answer any questions you have about the Supplemental
Levy.  The meeting will be from 7:15 to 8:15 am in Room 216.  Superintendent
Donicht will speak at 7:30 am.

The Moscow School District has prepared an information packet about the
levy, which is available at
http://www.sd281.k12.id.us/Board_of_Trustees/VoterLevyInfoNov07.pdf.  

 

The levy provides additional revenue to maintain small class sizes and
valuable programming and services.  Team Teaching for seventh and eighth
graders is one very successful levy-funded programs at MJHS.   The program
had to be limited to seventh graders this year due to funding uncertainties
generated by the law suit.   If the levy campaign is successful eighth grade
team teaching can be restored, class sizes reduced, and extra-curricular
programs and activities protected. 

 

Many MJHS parents are involved in efforts to support the levy, and would
welcome your help and support.  If you would like to get involved (see
below), please reply to celebrezze at moscow.com with what you can do to help.


 

Will you host a yard sign? 
Will you write a letter to the editor? 
Will you help make phone calls? 
Can you campaign in your neighborhood? 
Can we use your name in pro-levy ads? 
Will you wear an election day sign? 
Can you provide a ride to the polls? 
Will you donate money for the campaign?  Donations can be made to "Support
Moscow Schools", and sent to PO Box 9922, Moscow, ID 83843.  Donations are
used to pay for yard signs, newspaper ads, flyers, etc.

Can you help with other odd jobs? 
Big Sign Makers -- create large signs (usually by painting on plywood) to be
put up around town.  We have been offered some prime locations in town.
Helpful to have access to plywood and desire to cut and paint. 
Person with a Pickup -- for sign delivery.  We're hoping for more rain so
it's easy to get those NON-COMPOSTING SIGNS in the ground. 
People to call People Who've Given Money Before -- Call these proven, past
supporters. 
Lemon Meringue Pie Maker -- We can use these as excitement generating thank
yous. 

It's feeling positively possible already.  Let's pass a levy! 

 

Peggy Jenkins

 

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