ROSEBURG, Ore. (KMTR) -- The Roseburg School District started talking about a local option of a levy last spring, but decided there wasn't enough time to get it on the November ballot. Now, school board members are hoping to get it on the ballot in May.
Between 2008 and 2012, the district's funds were cut by about $10 million. The levy aims to raise $8 million over the next five years. It would mean a slight increase in taxes, but the school board is trying to keep costs down.
"Well, I believe at 55-cents a thousand, the average cost per month for a family would be $9," says David Hanson, Assistant Superintendent for the Roseburg School District. "It's an increase, but we're really trying to keep it affordable for our community members."
The levy would help the district with maintenance repairs and update technology and curriculum. They say they're about five to seven years behind replacing things like old computers and outdated textbooks. A local option levy may be their only means to keep up with state testing standards.
As of now there's no official plan for the levy to go on the ballot in May. The board plans to discuss it further in their next work session coming up in November.
