Dieringer Budget Brochure

HIGH SCHOOL TUITION

(Dieringer is a K-8 district and our high school students attend in neighboring districts.) Under state law, the districts that receive our students are allowed to charge Dieringer their E P & O Levy amount per student for such attendance in their district (approximately $1,100). In 1998-99, those payments totaled $470,000, which amounts to 29% of Dieringer's E P & O Levy. State law also requires that Dieringer participate financially in any high school building project in the district where the majority of our high school students attend (93 % attend Auburn).

THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND

This fund is used for the construction or remodeling of school buildings, furnishings and equipment for buildings, including technology, and acquisition of property for schools and other district facilities.

Funds for capital projects come primarily from bond issues, short-term capital projects levies, state matching funds and mitigation fees. Proceeds of bond issues may only be used for capital improvements and cannot be transferred to other funds for any purpose.

Voters in the Dieringer School District passed a $9.9 million bond issue in March of 1997. The proceeds of this bond issue, together with interest earnings and mitigation fees, provided funding for the following projects:

Purchase of site for Dieringer Heights Elementary School (Completed)
Four classroom addition at North Tapps Middle School (Completed)
Dieringer Heights Elementary School (Completed September, 2000.)
Renovations at Lake Tapps Elementary School (Ongoing)
Technology equipment & networking etc. (60% complete w/five-year Technology Plan)

The Educational Programs & Operations Levy provides 24% of the Dieringer General Fund Budget. By law, school districts may run up to a four year levy election. While multiple year levies may be approved, the tax is levied each year, with the current year's amount replacing the previous year's amount. Dieringer voters approved a two-year E P& O Levy in 2000, and the next election to replace those levies will take place in the spring of 2002. E P & O Levy monies are used to fund major portions of the educational program. State funding provides for minimum program offerings and underfunds many programs important to students. In Dieringer, levy funds support: