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Renewal of Earned Income Tax Levy

 

Levy Graphic

 

 

Northwest Local Schools Earned Income Tax Renewal

November 5, 2019

1. This is a Renewal of an Existing Tax

  • 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
    Strong Schools Image
  • 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