This is a renewal levy that was initially passed in 2010 and renewed in 2014
This levy would be effective from January 2021 through December 2025 (5 years)
2. The Renewal Levy Maintains What We Have
Passing this renewal levy will keep the Northwest Local Schools out of debt, according to the five-year forecast
It would also allow the district to maintain its current operations and programs
3.Earned Income Tax Does Not Tax the following:
Interest
Dividends
Capital Gains
Pensions
Annuity Income
Rental Income
Lottery Winnings
Unemployment
Income from Estates
Social Security Benefits
Incorporated Businesses
4. Income Tax Generated Revenue Expenditures (2010 to date):
Fundations Phonic Program (K-3)
Implementation of Project Lead the Way at NW Middle School
Purchased new textbooks and on-line subscriptions for classroom use
Developed and implemented E-Learning classes
Developed and implemented a Sports Medicine Course
Implemented a strings program (grades 6-12)
Purchased chromebooks/carts for student use in each building
Purchased Bright Links Projectors for NW Primary classrooms and replaced existing projectors in buildings
Implemented new security and safety plans and equipment
Hired a second School Resource Officer
Extended the hours of the Building Social Worker at Northwest Primary
Brought two Intensive Needs classes back to our buildings
Undertook an HVAC project at Stinson Elementary and NW Middle School
Converted the campus electric metering to a single meter to save on electric costs
Stadium improvements to the home side retaining wall and track oval
Built a softball field
Updated equipment in the transportation garage in order to perform majority of repairs in-house
Brought our bus fleet up to date
Do you have a questions about the upcoming Income Tax Renewal on the November 5th ballot? Attend one of the following small group sessions to have your questions answered:
Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Speak Easy Coffee Shop from 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Tuedsay, October 22, 2019 at Peace, Love and Little Donuts from 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What has the school district done with the money collected from the income tax? The first issue addressed with the income tax proceeds was to become current with our bills. When the district was placed in Fiscal Caution by the Department of Education we worked with some vendors to schedule necessary payments over a longer period of time. We were able to do this with some amounts due without incurring any interest charges that may have added to our problem. Recently we have been able to purchase new curriculum and textbooks for our students, purchase chromebook computers for all grades, improve student and staff safety in the district, replace old busses that were beginning to be unreliable, and complete some needed building repairs and renovations.
How come you are asking for more money when students are going hungry because they cannot charge a lunch? The school district income tax is General Fund revenue, which means the tax collections are used for the operating of the school on a day to day basis. The day to day basis includes paying for utilities, transportation, textbooks and other instructional materials, salaries and benefits, basic building upkeep, technology needs, and other services provided to our students. The cafeteria operations are kept separate in its own fund as established under state law. Revenues from meal sales and federal and state reimbursements for Free/Reduced meals are the only recognized forms of income that we have. All food service costs are paid from these revenues. Per state law the cafeteria fund must have a positive cash balance at the end of the school year or we are in violation of the law.
I thought the school district tax was a temporary tax? There has never been any consideration of this tax being a temporary tax. When the Independent Finance Committee first proposed a school district tax be placed on the ballot there was a recommendation that the tax be a permanent tax. When the issue was placed on the ballot the decision was made for it to be for a five year period and ask for renewals as time went by. The school district has exercised financial responsibility in all cases to earn your support for its renewal.
Why is the tax still required? It been almost ten years since the school district income tax was first passed. In this time our school funding from the state has remained relatively stagnant while our operating costs have risen. The income tax provides a funding base that can change with the economic climate of our community and the student’s needs. Without the tax we would not have been able to stay current with our student’s present day requirements and opportunities
