2/14/08

Lakewood gets state funds for needed repairs

Lakewood School District was recently awarded a state grant of $47,774 in the Small Repair Grant program.

The funds will pay for replacement of the entire control, monitoring, and alarm system for the main sewer pump station and the replacement of several asphalt paths used by students. The removal of five trees that are endangering portables and lifting the asphalt will also be accomplished.

“Students must have a safe and healthy place to learn,” said Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction. “Many schools in our state haven’t been able to secure local funding and don’t have the money to address critical repairs, like fixing leaking roofs and repairing electrical systems. The Small Repair Grant program is a great first step at addressing some of the problems. But we also need to improve our funding structure to mitigate large inequities existing between districts.”

Forty-seven school districts in the state were chosen for the program out of more than 125 applicants, with more than $4 million awarded to provide immediate assistance for unforeseen health and safety risks, fire and building code deficiencies, insufficient access for disabled students and asbestos abatement and removal.

The Lakewood School District has placed two levy measures on the February 19 ballot, one of which is a replacement operations levy and the other a technology levy.

The operations levy, which covers approximately 20 percent of the district’s budget, provides $5 million per year for ongoing programs. The $3.8 million technology levy will fund infrastructure and technology upgrades.

Contact the County Assessor’s office at (425) 388-3433 for information about possible exemptions for seniors and disabled persons.