The technology and safety replacement levy projected tax rate for each of the next four years depends on the final dollar amount of assessed value of property within the school district.
Based on current information, the estimated tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation would be:
- 2023: 92 cents
- 2024: 98 cents
- 2025: 90 cents
- 2026: 94 cents
The above estimated rates represent between a 1 and 18 cent increase per $1,000 of assessed valuation compared to the technology and safety levy approved by voters for 2019-22. While the tax rate associated with the new Technology and Safety Replacement Levy would be slightly higher, the combined estimated district tax rate from all voter-approved levies and bonds would be lower than historical rates.
The combined OSD voter-approved tax rate would decrease in each of the four years of the proposed replacement levy when compared with the current tax rate, For example, the 2021 combined tax rate is $4.94 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; the rate in 2023 is estimated at $4.47 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
For a detailed tax rate projection analysis across several years, please view a Tax Rate Projections presentation shared at the November 4, 2021 Olympia School Board meeting. The analysis includes a summary of the amount a homeowner would pay in taxes for this measure. It also provides a detailed historical summary of other voter-approved measures.
Cost Breakdown of Proposed Technology and Safety Initiatives
Below is a summary of items that are newly included in the District’s upcoming Technology and Safety Replacement Levy request. The new replacement levy request is $17 million more than the prior four-year levy.
| Proposed Technology and Safety Initiatives |
Increase Over Prior Levy (4-Year Total is Displayed Below) |
Alternative power initiative (solar panel and backup power at selected school sites where solar is efficient and/or backup power is needed to support a district system (e.g. radio repeater at Jefferson Middle School))
|
$2,750,000 |
Safety vestibules at 13 schools (forces entrants to go through school office)
|
$3,300,000
|
Improved safe walking and biking routes to schools and improved school zones
|
$1,980,000
|
Student computers (increased computer distribution to elementary school students)
|
$1,490,000
|
New technologies explorations for learning impacts in schools. (Successful pilots of new technologies to be included in the next technology levy)
|
$500,000
|
Additional cellular hotspots to ensure that l students/families in need have full-time access to learning tools
|
$207,000
|
School facility security camera replacement cycle (replace cameras on a lifecycle) and upgraded footage surveillance software
|
$1,705,000
|
District phone system replacement or upgrade
|
$860,000
|
Increased cost of staff computing, lab, paraeducator and library computers
|
$447,000
|
Network Security Systems (Cybersecurity appliances and services)
|
$400,000
|
Exterior safety alerts (e.g., silent visual signals that school is in lockdown) (all schools)
|
$60,000
|
Software to integrate bell, intercoms, fire alarms, safety alerts, phone and radios (across 19 schools each system varies depending on timing of last remodel, therefore, systems do not easily connect and coordinate)
|
$80,000
|
New sound and visual equipment to replace 20-year-old Olympia High School performing arts center equipment; new presentation equipment at high school and middle school gyms, common spaces
|
$500,000
|
Replacement of current Point of Sale and receipting system
|
$131,000
|
Increased cost of software and hardware licensing and maintenance agreements across 4 years ($400,000 each for four years)
|
$1,600,000
|
Warehouse staff to process computer equipment (salary and benefits $295,000 for 4 years)
|
$295,000
|
Network Cybersecurity Technician (salary and benefits $498,302 for 4 years)
|
$498,302
|
| Additional Database and Program Developer (salary and benefits $498,302 for 4 years) |
$498,302
|
| Subtotal of New Projects, Equipment, and Staffing |
$17,301,604
|