Levy information

What: A renewal maintenance and operations levy that comprises 16 percent of North Thurston Public Schools' $112 million budget.

Pays for: 255 teachers and staff members who aren't funded by the state, staff training, transportation, special education, athletics, electives and other programs

Rate per thousand: $2.18

Current rate: $1.83

Cost annually for a $300,000 home: $654

Length: Two years

2009 collection: $23.5 million

2010 collection: $25.4 million

What's next: The district will mail layoff notices by May 15. If the levy passes, the district will recall the notices as soon as election results are officially confirmed.

The school board approved proposed budgets Monday. A final budget will be approved in August.

Parade: The North Thurston Citizens for Schools levy committee is organizing a sidewalk parade Saturday in support of the levy. Participants are asked to gather at 12:30 p.m., and the parade will start at 1 p.m. at Capital Christian Center, 4431 Martin Way E. Marchers will walk up College Street, Pacific Avenue, Sleater-Kinney Road and Sixth Avenue, ending back at Capital Christian. Signs, banners and balloons will be provided. For information, call Gretchen Maliska at 360-250-9915 or go to www.winning4kids.com.

Two budget proposals

If the levy passes, $3.8 million will be cut, including:

• About 30 staff positions, mostly through attrition.

• Fees would increase for the community to use district pools, sports fields and facilities.

• Start times for some schools would change to reduce transportation costs; high schools would start a half hour earlier and middle schools would start at 9:20 a.m.

• The district would make cuts in administration, transportation, special education, career and technical education, and grant-supported safety and drug prevention programs.

• Lunch prices would increase by 10 cents.



If the levy fails, cuts also will include:

• 255 positions through layoffs or attrition, including 110 teachers.

• About 20 percent of cuts would be in administration and administrative support positions. About $1.2 million would be cut from district office administration — 21 positions.

• All elementary art, music and physical education teaching positions would be cut, as well as fifth- and sixth-grade band and orchestra programs.

• High school sports participation fees would increase, and some sports would be cut, such as swimming. Fees would be $200 to $250, compared with $75 now. Activities director and athletic trainer positions would be cut.

• Staff members would be cut from South Sound High School, and the school would serve fewer students, with a greater emphasis on online courses.

• 17 percent of the cuts would be in high school vocational programs and 50 percent in elective programs, such as sports and clubs.

• The district would eliminate Challenge Academy for gifted students and Nisqually Reach, an alternative education program for middle school students.

On the Web

The 2008-09 proposed budget scenarios are listed on the North Thurston Public Schools Web sit, www.nthurston.k12.wa.us.