On Tuesday, Feb. 9, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in the 2010 School Levy election.
As a military parent, your children likely attend a public school in the area that is partially funded by levy and bond dollars.
Active duty military and their dependents can register and vote as late as the day of the election - Feb. 9 - by going directly to the Auditor's Office.
Being registered to vote and becoming an informed voter are important in your decision-making process. If you are not active duty or a dependent, your voter registration form needed to be postmarked by Jan. 11, 2010. However, if you are not registered to vote in Washington, you have the option of delivering your registration form in person to the Pierce County Auditor's Office on or before Feb. 1, 2010.
In other words, you can still make a difference.
If you wish to request an e-mail ballot, go to the county's Web site at: www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/and/elections/uocava/voterguide.htm.
What follows is a summation of some local school levies.
Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1, Proposition No. 1: This is a replacement educational maintenance and operations levy that authorizes the district to levy excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, and to support the district's educational programs and daily operations.
Clover Park School District No. 400, Proposition No. 1: This is a school construction bond that allows the district to reconstruct Hudtloff Middle School, buy land and build a new elementary school, to consolidate Oakwood and Southgate elementary schools and to construct a new Harrison Preparatory Academy. The bond asks for $92 million in general obligation bonds, maturing within a maximum term of 25 years.
Puyallup School District No.3, Proposition No. 1: This replacement of expiring school programs and operations levy authorizes the district to levy excess taxes in place of an expiring levy for support of the district's general fund.
University Place School District No. 83, Proposition No. 1: A replacement educational maintenance and operations levy, an affirmative vote would allow the district to levy excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, and to support the district's educational mission.
Tacoma School District No. 10, Propositions No. 1 & 2: These ballot initiatives would allow the district to fund educational programs, allow for facility and technology upgrades, and authorize the levy of excess taxes.
Franklin Pierce School District No. 402, Propositions No. 1 & 2: Voters can decide to authorize the replacement of expiring school programs and operations levy and to continue the funding of technology upgrades.
Bethel School District No. 403, Proposition No. 1: This replacement of expiring school programs and operations levy authorizes the district to levy excess taxes, in place of an expiring levy, to support the district's school programs and operations.
The Auditor's Office is located at 2501 S. 35th St. Suite C, Tacoma. The telephone number is (253) 798-VOTE (8683).