The Riverview School District put a maintenance and operations levy on the August ballot this year.

The levy will pay for teacher salaries and for renewing text books. Thisis the fourth levy the district has proposed in the past seven months. The other three were put on the February ballot and all passed by nearly 60 percent. The current levy is also passing but by the much smaller margin of just 51 percent, or about 100 votes.

The River Current News discussed the issue with Conrad Robertson, Superintendent of the Riverview School District.

“The results don’t surprise me,” said Robertson, who went on to explain that the district was worried about economic and unemployment pressures having an impact on the measure.

“I am very thankful it passed,” he added, saying he appreciated that voters once again showed their support for schools.

The district will receive $520,000 less this year from the State than it did last year. Thisis in addition to the $1.1 million cutback from the year before.

According to the State Constitution, “It is the paramount duty of the State to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders…”

Robertson said that the State’s budget shortfall has caused the State to reduce education spending but that the district still needs funds to cover expenses. He also explained that our local state legislators are very supportive of education and are doing what they can to fund the district.

“We have been as practical as we could be and we are looking at what was realistic to ask for,” said Robertson. He stated that the district balanced only that which was absolutely necessary with the expectation that it was unlikely there would be any growth in assessed value in the district.

Theassessed value is the overall value of the homes in the district. The money the district receives is based on a percentage of the value of the homes in the area. If home prices decrease, the amount the district receives also diminishes. And if home prices increase, the district will get a little more.

Washington State will receive additional stimulus money this year but Robertson is unsure how much of those funds may end up in the district.

“The State will decide once the money comes in whether it will be split up equally among the districts or if it will go to districts with more students with a lower S.E.S. (Socio-Economic Status),” he said. “If the State decides to disburse the money based on the amount of students at the school then Riverview will do well; if they decide to disburse it based on S.E.S. then it will not be as good for us.”

Robertson was pleased with all the district has been able to accomplish with the funds they have been given so far. There are currently four major construction/remodeling projects going on in the district. He is looking forward to the start of the school year, saying, “It is going to be a great year for our kids.”