The annual cost to the local taxpayer for a school levy dollar varies greatly across the state. School districts with high levels of property wealth have a distinct advantage in passing school levies because the larger property tax base, usually including significant commercial and industrial property, lowers the tax burden for the local homeowner and business owner.
When the cost is high, low-property wealth communities are unable to support higher value school levies, which results in less funding and loss of educational opportunities for the children in these districts. The quality of a child's education should not be dependent on where they live!
Note: The district's operating levies includes any revenue from the discretionary $300 board-approved levy and voter-approved referendum. Discretionary board-approved local option revenue up to $424 is also included as all this revenue is from local property taxes dedicated to the district's general operating fund.
