What Does It Cost?

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