Voters will be asked this November to approve a $54 million mill levy override for the .
Ballot Issue 5A, if approved, would increase property taxes to raise money for the county’s public schools. The district would use the money to increase teacher salaries, expand educational programs and improve athletic facilities.
Other districts, such as and , are also asking voters to approve similar measures this November.
What would Ballot Issue 5A do if passed?
If approved, the measure would approve a $54 million mill levy override for the Douglas County School District.
A mill levy override allows K-12 districts to collect additional money from residents’ property taxes for ongoing expenses above what they otherwise would be allocated by the state government.
How would the district use the money raised?
The district plans to use $21.4 million of the money raised to give teachers and other staff 4% salary raises.
About $5.1 million would also go to programs for students with exceptional needs.
Just over $4 million would go to career-and-technical education programs, while $3.8 million would go to restore music lessons in elementary schools and develop financial literacy classes and other programs.
The district would use $3.3 million to invest in literacy and math curricula, $2 million for safety and security and $1.2 million for athletic programs.
What would it cost?
The measure, if approved, would cost property taxpayers an additional $33.70 per year for every $100,000 in their home value. That means for a home valued at $700,000, the increase would equal $236 per year, according to the district.
What do supporters say?
Douglas County School District officials say the mill levy override is needed, given the financial pressures K-12 districts are facing as state and federal budgets tighten. Supporters argue that the mill levy override is needed to help make sure the Douglas County School District remains one of the state’s highest-performing districts by retaining and recruiting teachers, and investing in career and technical programs that teach students skills they need after graduation.
What do opponents say?
No one opposing the ballot measure wrote comments against the override, according to .
