WASD Plant Facility Levy (PFL)

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of West Ada School District is to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.

2022-23 School Year Theme: Choose Challenge

Website: https://www.westada.org/
Location: 1303 East Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JointSchoolDistrictNo2/

On May 16, residents of West Ada School District will vote on a Plant Facilities Levy (PFL). There is A LOT to understand to be an informed voter. To help, Superintendent Dr. Bub takes us on a tour of Lake Hazel Middle School to show the need and explain the details.

Listen, we get it, this video is long. To assist, below is a list of the topics that Dr. Bub covers and the time you can jump to in the video to learn more. You can also take a deeper dive into the data he references by visiting WestAda.org/PFL. Thank you in advance for being willing to educate yourself on the need facing our community and for exercising your civic opportunity to vote.

0:00 – The Scale of West Ada

0:45 – Why District Schools Need to be Improved

1:51 – You can literally HEAR the Need

2:48 – Testing and Per Pupil Funding – How West Ada Compares to Neighboring Districts

4:09 – What West Ada Voters Have Asked For and Need

4:57 – Why the Plant Facilities Levy Makes Economic Sense

6:21 – A Rundown of the Major Projects

7:44 – All 58 Schools will be Addressed

8:00 – What Happens when Ceilings Fall

8:26 – ADA Accessibility and Play Areas

8:47 – Addressing Growth

10:09 – How CTE Programs Impact Learning and Opportunity

11:57 – Tiny Homes and the Direct Benefits to our Community

12:27 – The Early Childhood Learning Center

12:48 – Comparing Our Tax Burden to Neighboring Districts

13:34 – The Tax Impact of the Plant Facilities Levy

14:57 – Maintaining Transparency for Voters

15:32 – Educate not Advocate

West Ada School District is recognized locally and nationally for high graduation rates and test scores, innovative approaches to education and being the largest school district in Idaho. The district prides itself on upholding it's mission, "Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Challenges" and is committed to providing an educational experience for each of the 40,000 children enrolled in our 58 schools where each learner has the opportunity to reach their unique potential.

As we work to fulfill our mission, we must evaluate our facility needs to ensure the long-term success of our schools and the students and families they serve. This means enhancing safety and addressing maintenance needs. One way the district fosters a positive and collaborative learning community is through our physical structures. Every school site and building in West Ada should be a safe and engaging environment for learning. As we aim to meet this goal, aging buildings need updates to meet today’s learning standards.

The Treasure Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. West Ada operates public schools in Meridian, Boise, Star and Eagle encompassing almost 400 square miles of the Treasure Valley. West Ada School District has seen a steady pace in growth as well with more and more students attending and the need for more space to accommodate growth. In addition to growth throughout the valley, there is a need to maintain and renovate school sites and buildings throughout the district to provide an educationally sound learning environment for our students. To meet these needs and proactively prepare for the future, a plant facilities levy election will be on the May 16 ballot to invest in our children, education and the future of the community.

The passing of this plant facilities levy will allow West Ada School District to build a new elementary school in the south region, a new elementary school in the north region and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in addition to renovating almost every school site in some way (playground, parking lot, paint, etc.) as listed below. Under this plant facilities levy, the district will also make dozens of needed safety, maintenance, technology and mechanical upgrades to classrooms and buildings throughout the district. The PFL also provides the district the opportunity to continually reevaluate and address facility needs as growth in the community is monitored.

On Tuesday, May 16, residents of the West Ada School District will vote on a Plant Facilities Levy (PFL). If this measure receives at least 55% voter approval, the district would be able to move forward with a number of key facility improvement projects.

The Need: Address growth and repair and maintain existing infrastructure.

The Solution: $50 million Plant Facilities Levy (PFL) annually for 10 years.

The Results: West Ada will... Keep Improving District Schools (KIDS)

For more information on how to vote, to register to vote or to obtain an absentee ballot, please visit: https://voteidaho.gov/

It's NOT a bond, it's a Plant Facilities Levy (PFL). The PFL is used used to improve, maintain, and repair existing buildings, including roof repairs and replacements as well as new construction. The PFL saves taxpayers $255 million in interest that would come with doing a bond.

A Plant Facilities Levy (PFL) allows West Ada School District to collect property tax money to maintain their facilities. West Ada School District has utilized a plant facilities levy since 1972. The PFL is used to improve, maintain, and repair existing buildings, including roof repairs and replacements. Revenue from the PFL also includes furnishing and equipping buildings, safety, and security improvements, and updates to mechanical systems, appliances, technology, and heating, ventilation, and sanitation facilities. Plant facilities levies can only be used on facilities within the district and must be passed by at least a 55% voter approval. Plant facilities levies are ten-year levies. The PFL is a fiscally conservative approach to generating revenue for the district to provide money for all projects and keep maintenance progress steady.

The passing of the May 2023 Plant Facilities Levy will allow West Ada School District to build a new elementary school in the south region, a new elementary school in the north region and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in addition to renovating various sites and providing almost every school site in some way (playground, parking lot, paint, etc.) - see "School Project Recommendations" listed below. Under this plant facilities levy, the district will also make dozens of needed safety, maintenance, technology and mechanical upgrades to classrooms and buildings throughout the district.

For detailed information on major projects as well as school projects, please visit: https://www.westada.org/o/wasd/page/school-projects

Career & Technical Education (CTE) provides students with an opportunity to jump start their post-secondary education or acquire skills to enter the workforce right out of high school. West Ada CTE programs contain numerous pathways, all guided by curriculum that aligns with current industry standards, creating a competitive advantage for students. CTE classes include a combination of traditional classroom instruction and hands-on learning using state-of-the art equipment and machinery.

Many of these career pathways lead to industry certifications, post-secondary credits and/or an industry externship. In addition, each pathway is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This committee consists of members who are local employers and post-secondary college representatives, providing support for students and ensuring students receive a robust curriculum aligned to current industry practices.

A new CTE Center would be located adjacent to Owyhee High School and is estimated to cost $100 million and be completed in Fall 2025. The CTE Center would seat 1,000 high school students relieving capacity at our major high school campuses in the district allowing for additional classroom/learning space at each site. The new CTE Center is expected to include the following CTE pathways:

• Construction

• Cosmetology

• Digital Media

• Early Childhood & Learning Center (see below for additional information)

• Education Assistant

• HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical

• High School of Business

• Level 1 Auto/Diesel/Collision

• Welding

In addition to the pathways listed above, West Ada hopes to expand it's Early Childhood Education pathway by incorporating an Early Childhood Learning Center at a new CTE Center. This Early Childhood Learning Center would provide daycare to West Ada School District employees at a reduced cost to families for children 3-5 years of age. In addition, the center would provide hands-on experience for WASD students in running day-to-day childcare center.

If approved, the Plant Facilities Levy would have a property tax impact of no more than $89.45 per year or $7.45 per month for every $100,000 of taxable assessed value in our community.

The taxable assessed value of a property is its assessed value, minus the Idaho homeowners exemption of $125,000. For example, if your home’s total assessed value is $500,000, its taxable assessed value would be $375,000.

The district and board aim to keep property taxes as low as possible in our community. We have worked to balance the needs of our students and schools with those of our community members. We strive to make the most of every dollar community members invest in their local schools.

An important part of the 2023 plant facilities levy is the Advisory Committee, an independent community-based body to monitor the PFL program.

The Plant Facilities Levy Advisory Committee will actively monitor the West Ada School District PFL in the following ways:

• Ensure PFL revenues are used only for the purposes consistent with the May 2023 plant facilities levy measure and consistent with state law.

• Stay abreast of key information related to the plant facilities levy to ensure transparency to community stakeholders.

• Review plant facilities levy program financial reports; may inspect school facilities and grounds related to PFL activities accompanied by district staff.

Don't worry, we've got you covered! Please visit - https://msd2-my.sharepoint.com/.../ERBFOkm1dYRPk2DYlsnO... - to access Dr. Bub's presentation.

Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) site - https://www.westada.org/page/pfl OR submit an electronic question through our online portal by visiting: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx...

There are future meetings scheduled and we hope to see you there:

• April 11 from 5:30-6:30pm at Owyhee High School, Gym
• April 19 from 5:30-6:30pm at Rocky Mountain High School, Auditorium
• April 25 from from 5:30-6:30pm at Mountain View High School, Auditorium
• May 4 from 5:30-6:30pm at Centennial High School, Gym

The district may not use any school resources, time, or property, including employee working/contract time – to advocate for one particular side in the election.​

• Comments on all social media posts from the district and district schools will be turned OFF for PFL posts in an effort to maintain Idaho Statute section 74-605: Public Integrity in Elections Act

ONLY ENCOURAGE VOTING, NOT HOW TO VOTE!

Personal Time, Personal Social Media, etc.​

If you choose to post or communicate any type of message regarding voting “YES”…​ on your person social media, during personal time...

• Please do so only on your own time (outside of contract time), and only on your personal social media account(s)​

• Consider adding a disclaimer to posts on your personal social media accounts identifying that you are posting as a private individual, not as a district representative​ e.g. “Posted as a private citizen, not as a representative of West Ada School District.”​

This West Ada School District news update is brought to you by the District's communication team. For access to previous updates, please visit: https://www.westada.org/communication.