Board Puts Levy on may Ballot

 At its Jan. 24 meeting, the WCSD Board of Education voted unanimously to put a Permanent Improvement Levy on the May 2 ballot.

 According to the WCSD Treasurer Bonnie West the levy has a five year term limit and will raise $1,050,000 annually.

 West went on to say the district is seeking the levy because the 25-year bond levy that paid for the construction of WHS will be expiring.

 For the owner of a property worth $100,000, “The cost of the expiring bond levy is $162.30, compared to the  proposed new Five Year Permanent improvement levy, which is estimated to cost $61.25, for a net savings to the homeowner of approximately  $101 per year,” West said in an email.

 Board of Education member and board property liaison, Bill Gantz, also stressed that voting for the levy would actually lower taxes.

 Gantz explained the money raised by the levy will be put toward building maintenance.

 Over the next five years, the duration of the levy, these maintenance projects will include roof and some heating equipment at the high school, Kean, Melrose and Parkview Elementaries.

 Funding will also go toward finishes in the Edgewood gym and the razing of the Cornerstone Annex.

 Gantz urged voters to approve the measure.