Education in Oak Harbor is at a crossroads as the school district asks voters to approve two levies that, combined, will improve the educational opportunities afforded our children.
If Levy 1 is approved, the owner of a $300,000 house would see his or her taxes increase from $153 annually to $225. If Levy 2 also passes, that same homeowner would pay $294 annually.
However, the combined levies would still keep Oak Harbor school levy taxes comparatively low. The average levy rate statewide is $1.90 per thousand of assessed value. Oak Harbor’s rate is presently 51 cents, which will increase to 98 cents if both levies pass. In other words, Oak Harbor’s levy rate would still be just over half the state average.
What voters have to consider is whether they want to maintain the quality of education in Oak Harbor, or let it deteriorate. Impressive progress has been made this decade, as a once bare-bones school district now offers a broad range of AP high school classes for college-bound students, art and physical education teachers at the elementary level, hot lunches and other improvements.
The school board has managed to maintain these improvements in the face of dwindling resources over the past two years. Too many jobs have already been lost, to the detriment of maintenance and operation, but core educational services have been maintained. Levy 1, which increases taxes from 51 cents to 75 cents per thousand, would reinstate some of these lost jobs and put the district on a sound financial footing for the next four years. Hard economic times make it even more important to get a good education because competition for jobs and college admissions is tougher than ever.
Levy 2 is not quite as vital, and is aimed specifically at improving math scores which have lagged throughout the state, including in Oak Harbor. Specialists would be hired to teach math and help teachers teach math more effectively. If it passes, it will be a true testament to the importance of education to Oak Harbor voters.
Levy 1, however, is vital. Without it, all the progress made in Oak Harbor in recent years will be lost. Times are indeed tough, but education is paramount. Vote yes for kids in Oak Harbor, and remember to mail in those ballots no later that March 10.
