Some of Black Diamond deciding Enumclaw levy

Black Diamond residents who live within the Enumclaw School District will help other voters in the district decide in next week’s election if millions in property taxes will be collected for a capital facilities and instructional technology levy.

Black Diamond residents who live within the Enumclaw School District will help other voters in the district decide in next week’s election if millions in property taxes will be collected for a capital facilities and instructional technology levy.

The $8.4 million measure is on the ballot in the all-mail election. Voters must return their ballots by the Feb. 3 election day in order to be included in the results.

If approved, the four-year levy would buy Enumclaw Middle School a new roof and updated heating systems there and at Westwood Elementary School and Enumclaw High School. It would also provide new technology for classrooms districtwide, including document cameras, SmartBoards, computers and mobile laptop labs with wireless connections.

Starting in 2010, the levy would permit property tax revenue collections within the district of $2.9 million the first year at 87 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. By 2013, the revenue would be $1.2 million at a rate of 33 cents per $1,000, or $99 for the owner of a $300,000 home, district officials said.

The district has been using money for repairs and technology purchases from its general fund, and officials said that’s getting harder to do as the state continues cutting spending.

The levy has received campaign support from 4RKids Committee, a citizens’ group.

According to officials, the district is experiencing moderate growth. Its combined student enrollment of about 4,500 attends five elementary schools, including Black Diamond Elementary School, two middle schools, the high school, an alternative high school and Muckleshoot Tribal School.

More information on the levy is available at www.enumclaw.wednet.edu.