School Board begins discussion for new tax levy

At the Cascade School District (CSD) board meeting on September 28^th, discussion on policy review was light, but there were other important agenda items that took up most of the time.

An Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy presentation, given by Trevor Carlson, consultant with Piper Sandler & Co., and bond attorney Jim McNeill of Foster Garvey PC, was the first step for the board members as they plan to bring a levy resolution before voters in February 2021.

The EP&O levy, formerly known as the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) levy, renews funding for critical programs not covered by basic state money. The district relies on the levy to fund music, art, athletics, other electives, advanced classes, intervention specialists, counselors and helps supplement transportation, food services and special education.

Approval of the new EP&O levy and a separate Technology & Safety levy is not expected to affect homeowners’ taxes significantly from 2019. These two prospective levies are a continuation of support to CSD for essential budget items. The previous EP&O and Technology & Safety levies are expiring.

The board, superintendent Tracey Beckendorf-Edou and Dwight Remick, CSD Director of Finance and Operations, will determine the timeframe of the levy (whether two, three or four years), the amount needed and the subsequent millage rate (x dollars per $1000 assessed value). The resolution must be approved by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction before being filed in December to get on a February ballot.

In other news, the board approved a letter to the Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD), requesting to begin some in-person education at Peshastin Dryden Elementary, Beaver Valley Elementary (for K-2^nd grade) and Kodiak Cubs preschool. The reasoning for this timing is the prevalence rate of COVID-19 in the district is low, between 1 and 2 percent. This low rate has rigorous data behind it because of the increased sampling across all people thanks to the free local testing done by the National Guard.

Two days after this meeting, the CDHD approved the request. PD will open its doors on October 12^th. In each classroom, pods of 10 children or less will be taught on two sequential days, either Monday/Tuesday, or Thursday/Friday, with Wednesdays saved for sanitation. Beaver Valley Elementary and Kodiak Cubs will also follow adjusted formats. The rest of instruction will continue virtually.

At the high school level, student athletes have an opportunity for conditioning with their coaches this fall, thanks to planning by Dominique Coffin, CSD Athletic Director, and his colleagues in the region. From October to November, the weeks were divided evenly among the sport seasons, with spring sports going first, followed by fall sports, and then winter sports.

The teams can meet outdoors with a ratio of five athletes per coach. Health safety precautions include health safety checks every afternoon, masking when not exercising, social distancing and no contact or sharing of equipment. It might be restrictive, but it’s a step toward helping athletes fulfill their desired training and have some in-person contact with teammates and coaches.

Finally, Beckendorf-Edou shared good news for the community that, with sports carefully revving back up, the tennis courts at the Osborn property will also open. She welcomes residents to come and use the courts for tennis and pickleball in small groups, obeying health safety precautions.