MISD places two levy issues on special election ballot

The Mercer Island School District is placing two school funding measures on the ballot for the Feb. 9, 2016 special election.

Both measures are replacement levies, and will maintain the same tax rate that is currently paid by Mercer Island property owners for their purposes.

Proposition 1 is the six-year capital projects and technology levy to raise $38.4 million over six years to apply to capital and technology projects throughout the school district. It would raise an average of $6.4 million each year.

The capital projects and technology levy renewal will pay for repairs and safety-related upgrades to existing buildings and facilities, including changes that are presently scheduled within the schools’ maintenance plans. It will also raise funds for the school district’s technology program to ensure that the professional development, infrastructure and 1:1 devices, used for personalized learning, remain in place throughout the six-year period.

Under Proposition 1, Island property owners would pay an average of $0.55 per thousand dollars of assessed value each year for six years in property taxes. A resident with an assessed property value of $1 million, would pay about $550 per year, or approximately $46 per month. The present cost per thousand is $0.51.

Proposition 2 is the transportation levy, collected over one year for $750,000, to buy replacement buses over a six-year period.

The transportation levy will allow the school district to replace aging school buses with propane-fueled vehicles in an effort to keep the district’s bus fleet safe, modern and eco-friendly.

Under Proposition 2, taxpayers would pay an additional $0.07 per $1,000 of their assessed property value for one year. The owner of a Mercer Island home with an assessed value of $1 million would pay $70 for one year, or approximately $6 per month.

Elementary visitation days in 2016 set

Mercer Island School District’s three elementary schools will host visitation days twice in 2016, on Jan. 28 and May 13. The visitation days are primarily for out-of district families thinking about moving to Mercer Island, or residents considering enrolling their children in the school district. Visitation hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The district’s fourth elementary school, Northwood, will open by the start of the 2016-17 school year, but it will not be open for tours during the designated visitation days.

Kindergarten registration opening soon

Mercer Island School District will begin accepting kindergarten registrations on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. For parents seeking information about the district’s kindergarten program and registration process, kindergarten information sessions will be held for each elementary school on Tuesday, January 19. District staff will be present to answer questions, discuss educational programs available, and distribute registration packets.

Families who are unable to attend the information night may pick up a registration packet at one of the schools or district office or visit the district website at www.mercerislandschools.org/RegistrationInformation. Additionally, families uncertain about their home school attendance area can find more information by visiting the district website at www.mercerislandschools.org/elementaryboundaries or by calling Mary Newcomer at 206-230-6336.

Kindergarten Information Night:

7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016

Island Park Elementary: 5437 Island Crest Way, Multipurpose Room

Lakeridge Elementary: 8215 S.E. 78th St., Multipurpose Room

Northwood Elementary: PEAK (MI Boys and Girls Club) 4120 86th Ave. S.E., Multipurpose Room

West Mercer Elementary: 4141 81st Ave. S.E., Multipurpose Room.