Now we can all look forward to good news for CK property owners! After three special sessions, the legislature finally passed a budget that included $10.2 million additional funding for the CK School District. That SHOULD transfer to a lower levy request in 2016.

All but $1.2 million is designated for teacher salaries, class size reduction and all-day kindergarten; but those things were already in CK’s budget, so the additional State funding alleviates the need for local levy support of those items.

In fact, the purpose of the McCleary case was to require the State to meet its “paramount duty” to amply fund K-12 schools and stop depending on levies. So, there is an expectation by the court and the legislature that levies will be much smaller. Tax relief for property owners benefits everyone, including teachers. Even renters pay this tax indirectly. Lower tax stimulates the local economy and relieves pressure on low income and fixed income senior citizens who prefer to remain in the homes they built and enjoy.

Yes, we need to hold the legislature’s feet to the fire to meet the goals set by the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision to fully fund basic education in K-12 schools. With stabilized funding, local school districts can concentrate on educating students, not planning the next levy request. Thanks to the State Supreme Court we should all see a reduced levy in the future.

Carrie Riplinger,

Seabeck.