Overview:

On the May 21, 2024 primary election ballot, Bend-La Pine Schools proposes a 5-year Local Option Levy that would allow the District to bridge the funding gap and dedicate resources to important programs and services.

Question

Shall District levy $1.00 per $1,000 assessed value for five years beginning 2024-25 to bridge funding gap, support priorities? This measure may cause property taxes to increase by more than three percent.

Summary

The Bend-La Pine School District is unable to fully fund student-focused programs and services with revenues received under the state funding model. This proposed 5-year local option levy would allow the District to bridge the funding gap and dedicate resources for the following:

• Protecting and maintaining class sizes
• Strengthening and adding CTE pathways
• Recruiting and retaining teachers and support staff
• Increasing advanced academic offerings for students
• Improving support systems for struggling students
• Enhancing elective offerings in music, art, technology, business, world language

Passage of the levy would help the District focus on strategies that prepare students for lifelong learning and career success. The district serves over 17,000 students in 33 schools.

If approved, the levy would establish a tax rate of $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The estimated cost for a home with a median assessed value of $238,750 is about $239 a year. The levy would provide the District approximately $21.2 million in the first year.

Click here to learn more about the levy and estimate your tax.