Improvements dependent on passage of levy

REARDAN—Taxpayers in the Reardan-Edwall School District will vote on a five-year capital levy which will fund improvements to athletic facilities and the construction of a transportation cooperative facility Nov. 8.

This levy would charge taxpayers approximately $0.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The total levy collection will be $4,192,050.

A taxpayer with property values at $300,000 could expect their property taxes to increase by approximately $285.

Superintendent Eric Sobotta stated the State of Washington is required to provide all school districts with funding for basic education. The state’s funding did not pay for any construction and maintenance projects the district deems essential for student health and safety. This made it necessary to ask the taxpayers for assistance.

Sobotta said funds from the levy will be used to reimburse the district for football field lights that had to be replaced this fall after several blew out, endangering spectators and athletes. In addition, a fitness center will be built that will be open to district residents, tennis courts will be refurbished and a rubberized track installed. The transportation department, currently housed in a 1980 pole barn, is too small and its equipment inadequate. The State will fund up to a 90% match to build a transportation cooperative with the Great Northern School District, and possibly others.

Sobotta said because some of the district’s facilities are deficient, tennis players are bused to Medical Lake for practice and home track meets are held in Davenport.

“We have a national caliber track athlete, but no track,” he said.

Sobotta said unless the levy is passed the district will continue to incur expenses due to subpar facilities.

facilities.

“Are our taxpayers okay with us using tax dollars to bus our kids to other schools for events that should be held here?” Sobotta said.

District taxpayers passed a three-year levy which funded Replacement Educational Programs and Operations in Feb. 2021. It overwhelmingly passed in Reardan but failed in Spokane County.

Sobotta said that approximately two-thirds of the district’s 742 students reside in Spokane County, so “this is not just a Reardan issue.”

Sobotta said the district has disseminated enough information to help taxpayers make an informed decision, but further information can be found on the district’s website, reardan.net.

“As a homeowner and taxpayer, I understand this levy means I’m increasing my own property taxes,” Sobotta said. “But we must do what is best for the kids. Since they cannot vote, they must look to the taxpayers to look out for their best interests.”