Highline voters probably will be asked to approve on March 13 a $140.4 million, four-year public school levy.

The levy would replace a four-year levy that expires in September.

District staffers presented the proposal to board members at an Oct. 18 study session.

Superintendent John Welch said his advisory council will review the proposal on Oct. 24. He plans to bring a resolution to the board for approval on Nov. 8.

Interim Business Services director Donn Fountain said the levy would fund about 18 percent of the district's budget. The levy pays for programs not funded by state and federal appropriations.

"Most of it is people," Fountain noted.

About 71 percent of this year's levy dollars pay salaries and benefits for additional teachers, additional classified staff, teacher and staff training, extracurricular activities including sports, and extra days and duties for staff.

Other funds go for special education, 12 percent; instructional materials, 11 percent and pupil transportation, 6 percent.

Staff and board members discussed whether to place the levy proposal on the ballot Feb. 7 or March 13.

The earlier date would allow for a second election before May 15-the deadline for sending out possible layoff notices to teachers. However, a February election would mean fundraising and campaigning would have to begin during the winter holidays.

A March 13 date would mean that if a second election were scheduled, should the levy proposal be rejected the first time it is submitted to voters, it also would fall on May 15.

But a March election would allow more time to campaign for the levy.

Welch estimated that up to 100 teachers could be laid off if the levy is not approved.

Denny Eliason, chairman of Highline Citizens for School, told board members, "I can't say strongly enough, the March date is best."

Eliason's group runs campaigns for school levies and bonds.

Successful campaign preparation during the Christmas and New Year's holidays would be "nearly impossible," Eliason said.

Board president Phyllis Byers noted teachers are the largest pro-levy volunteer group and during the school winter vacation, "they need a break."

Highline Education Association president Alan Sutliff urged district officials "to be very honest from the beginning what failure means."

The association is the local teachers' union.

Board vice president Matt Pina said the emphasis should be on "getting it right the first time" so a second election is not needed.

The district and citizens group is on an election roll with the most recent school-construction bond and levy having been approved on the first try.

The previous construction bond passed on its third attempt. Before that, the district had not passed a bond in 16 years,

"We have much history of stewardship (of successfully using bond and levy funds), which we didn't always have," Eliason added.

Fountain estimated that the replacement levy would cost property owners $2.56 per thousand dollars of assessed value in 2008, going up to $2.72 in 2011.

An owner of a $200,000 home would pay $512 per year for the levy in 2008, increasing to $544 per year in 2011, according to Fountain.

He calculated the homeowner with the $200,000 home would pay $64 more over four years.