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@VancouverSD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2024
At their Nov. 12 meeting, Vancouver Public Schools’ board of directors approved a replacement Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy to appear on the Feb. 11, 2025 special election ballot.
The six-year replacement levy is designed to support Vancouver Public Schools’ long-term and future needs for technology, safety, and building functionality.
If passed by voters, the levy would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 and would replace the current technology-focused capital levy that expires Dec. 31, 2025 and expand its purpose to include:
- Technology: replace and maintain future-ready digital tools and infrastructure that prepare students for modern learning and career opportunities
- Safety improvements: secure entrances and updated safety systems
- Building system repairs: extending the life of existing facilities (like updating HVAC or roofs)
Capital Project Fund levies like this can only be used for facility, equipment, and technology needs, and this levy would allow the district to address emerging safety and infrastructure needs without increasing the total taxpayer burden.
The estimated levy rates will be:
- $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2026
- $0.36 per $1,000 in 2027
- $0.38 per $1,000 from 2028 through 2031.
Tax rates from previously approved bonds are expected to decrease in the future, meaning the total VPS tax rates are intended to remain consistent over time.
Local levy dollars make up about 12.5% of the district’s general fund budget.
More information is available on the VPS website.
Vancouver Public Schools welcomed approximately 200 community members, educators, and families Tuesday evening to celebrate the official dedication of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) Elementary School, the district's first entirely Spanish/English dual language school. Washington State Representative Monica Stonier and Dr. Michaela Miller, Deputy Superintendent at Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), were also in attendance and offered brief remarks.
The dedication ceremony and open house, held at the school's campus at 8408 NE 25th Ave., marked a significant milestone for Vancouver Public Schools' commitment to innovative education. The school, which began serving students in fall 2023, was constructed using funds from a 2017 voter-approved capital bond.
RBG Elementary currently serves students from Transition to Kindergarten through second grade, with plans to add one grade level annually until reaching fifth grade. The school's unique dual language program offers students the opportunity to become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural, preparing them for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
The school's design, developed by LSW Architects in collaboration with Corp Inc. Construction and landscape architects Shapiro Didway, incorporated extensive community input to create an environment that supports its dual-language mission.
Photos from the dedication ceremony are available for media use at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fFmjaEnNm55PMUgrHOPDPZG7MilyFaB_?usp=drive_link
B-roll footage from the dedication ceremony is available for media use at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dnqYHIBHX9gyVKl7A_INx2b5b3GU8rxb/view?usp=sharing
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For additional information, please contact:
Jessica Roberts
Executive Director of Communications
Vancouver Public Schools
jessica.roberts@vansd.org
On October 25, Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) students and staff unveiled a new Little Free Library at the Heights Campus in Vancouver, Washington. Scholastic and Little Free Library have partnered to donate these libraries to 50 school and community locations across all 50 states nationwide. The library will be accessible to the public in its permanent location, near the campus’s tennis courts.
The book-sharing box at Heights Campus is part of the Scholastic and Little Free Library “Power Up with Reading” initiative. “Dog Man” author and illustrator Dav Pilkey has generously contributed 1,000 books to stock the Heights Campus Little Free Library, offering students and local readers a variety of engaging materials to enjoy.
At the Little Free Library unveiling assembly, each Heights Campus student received a free hardcover copy of “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder” by Dav Pilkey.
“Our goal is to foster a love of reading and make sure that every family has easy access to books,” said Nadia Lutz, K-12 Learning Assistance Program (LAP) Specialist at the Heights Campus. “The entire Heights Campus family feels fortunate to have been selected to receive this donation.”
The Little Free Library at the Heights Campus is part of the Impact Library Program, which aims to provide book-sharing resources to underserved communities and promote reading accessibility.
"I like the new Little Free Library because I love the Dog Man series and I don’t have all of the books yet," said Quintin Smith, a third grade VPS student.
Heights Campus is home to nontraditional options in education for VPS students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The educational programs at this school provide a personalized approach led by highly qualified teachers for students who prefer a unique classroom setting and a flexible and independent learning environment.
The Little Free Library at Heights Campus will serve as a valuable resource for students and community members, providing free access to a wide selection of books. The Heights Campus now has a new way to inspire a love of reading and make books more accessible for all.
About Vancouver Public Schools: Vancouver Public Schools, located in Southwest Washington, is dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive education for all students. Through innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, VPS serves more than 23,000 students across its schools.
About Little Free Library: Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access through a global network of volunteer-led book-exchange boxes. Since 2009, the organization has helped millions of books find their way into the hands of readers of all ages.
About Scholastic: Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children's books.
Link to b-roll footage: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S4UkDxWCbqVsLnAmS5nM6KmNKNyiPkno?usp=drive_link