The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors approved three resolutions at last Wednesday’s meeting, giving the district the authority to place three levies on the February special election ballot.

The district is seeking help in the forms of a four-year maintenance and operations (M&O) levy, a six-year capital projects levy and a one-year transportation levy for a total of $80 million to the district over the next six years.

If all three levies are approved by voters, the district will begin receiving funds in 2011 and the capital projects levy will end in 2016.

Currently, voters pay $2.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. If the measures are approved, in 2011 the rate is projected at $2.49 per $1,000 and increases to $2.51 in 2012, $2.57 in 2013 and $2.68 in 2014.

The M&O levy, also referred to as the general fund levy, which was last put before the voters in 2006, helps fund educational and support programs for the district. According to the district, it pays for 23.6 percent of MISD programs. As outlined by the district, the first year of the M&O levy would provide $12.4 million to the district, and would increase over the following four years to $15.4 million.

The proposed capital levy, to be used largely to fund technology and other large projects, would increase the amount that voters approved in 2008 by $2.35 million in 2011 and $2.4 million in 2012. The remaining four years of the levy is a renewal of the levy approved in 2008.

If given the green light by voters, the funds from the capital levy will help pay for technology salaries in the district; increase the number of teachers on special assignments (TOSAs) from two to five by the end of the third year; help the district pay for a fiber upgrade, as well as other various technology needs.

A slightly smaller percentage of the funds will go to facility projects, such as replacing fencing at Lakeridge Elementary, which is at the end of its serviceable life, replacing the breezeway roof at West Mercer Elementary, replacing the boilers, circulation pumps and other maintenance items at Islander Middle School. At Mercer Island High School, the funds would add square footage to the music rooms, replace the track surface and, once the Boys & Girls Club PEAK facility is complete, the money will be used to remodel the wrestling room into classrooms, as the wrestling program will be moved to the PEAK facility. A full list of the district’s proposed capital levy projects can be seen on its Web site.

The third levy to make the ballot is a one-year transportation levy for $500,000. The funds will help the district replace existing buses as needed and purchase new ones if necessary. Due to the struggling economy, King County Metro, which has a contract with the district to transport students for a fee, has said it will increase fares, which could hike prices enough to the point where it costs the district more than providing the service itself. If that becomes the case, the district would need to purchase buses to handle the increase in students.

The election will be held on Feb. 9, 2010.

For more information on the levies, visit www.misd.k12.wa.us.