Bridgeport school board faces 2024 levy renewal

BRIDGEPORT – With the Bridgeport School District’s four-year Educational Programs and Operations levy that passed in 2020 up for renewal in February 2024, Superintendent Scott Sattler conducted a PowerPoint presentation at the regular monthly school board on Sept. 25 to refresh board members on the types of levies and bonds that finance school operations.

The background

In 2017, the district ran a $4.4 million bond to finance expansion and renovation of school facilities, relieve overcrowding, improve infrastructure and enhance security.

“We refinanced that bond so we could lower taxes and save the taxpayers 13 cents per thousand,” Sattler said. “We made our campus better, our facilities better, we rolled back some taxes and now here we are talking about another levy.”

In 2023, the state scoreboard for school levies showed 41 school levies running with an 88 percent approval rate. 

“Bridgeport has a long history of supporting bonds, levies, and capital levies,” Sattler said. “Our 2020 EP&O levy passed with 55.5 percent, the 2016 capital levy got 61 percent, and the 2017 bond received overwhelming community support.”

A plan forward

Sattler’s recommendation to the board is not to rock the taxpayers’ boat.

“It’s going to be the board’s decision on what type of levy we run,” said Sattler, looking ahead to next year. “I would encourage the board to think about a replacement levy which is keeping taxes flat; we don’t raise taxes; we keep them at the same level they are.”

Board member Kathy Corbin favors taking the low road.

“Seeking a replacement at a very minimal rate would be smarter because of the whole thing with the economy…the higher cost of gas, the higher cost of groceries,” Corbin said. “It is much more likely to pass if we keep it even.”

Board member Jean Hardie echoes Corbin’s concerns.

“(Voters) are looking into other levies that will impact our taxpayers such as the hospital,” Hardie said. “Certainly, our supporters have been good at at least what we’re asking in the past few years.”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483, michael@ward.media

Levy Types

• Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) formerly known as a Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy (1-4 years).

Sattler noted that for the past 12 years, Bridgeport has put forth the four-year EP&O, and that is the one that is up for renewal next February.  

• Capital Projects Levy (1-6 years)

“You may recall that in 2015 we had some severe needs in our elementary school with leaking roofs and some mold issues,” Sattler said. “We ran a capital projects levy to address those needs and that was paid off in two years.”

• Transportation Vehicle Levy (TVL) 1-2 years.

• Bonds (terms vary but 20 years are most common).

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483. michael@ward.media