Voters will decide on March 13 the fate of a $140 million, four-year Highline School District educational programs and operations levy.

The ballot measure would replace a levy that expires in December.

It would fund 18 to 20 percent of the district's operating budget.

According to district officials, about 71 percent of the revenue would pay salaries and benefits for 95 teachers and 170 support staff.

Twelve percent would go for special education, 11 percent for instructional materials and 6 percent for bus transportation.

These budget categories include funding for textbooks, classroom supplies, security, building maintenance, athletics, music instruction and the district's outdoor education program at Camp Waskowitz.

The levy does not pay for new school construction. Voters passed a bond in 2006 to replace some schools.

Lois Schipper, chairwoman of Highline Citizens for Schools, said the greatest impact of a levy failure would be in the reduction of teachers and staff.

"Think about a 20 percent budget cut," Schipper declared. "There would be fewer teachers in schools where classes are already overcrowded."

The Citizens group runs the pro-levy campaign.

Levy critics have said the state already funds basic education for education.

Counters Schipper, "The state's current definition of basic education does not cover the scope of what is needed in this day and age.

"We are trying to get the definition changed but it hasn't caught up yet."

Schipper says she agrees with those who say that education problems can't be cured by simply throwing money at them.

"The key is to find what strategies are most effective and fund those things," Schipper declared.

She noted that the proposed levy would fund current programs.

"It would not add things that we don't have," Schipper said. "It would continue the programs at the baseline."

Under the proposed levy, a taxpayer with a $300,000 home would pay about $96 more over four years than for the current levy.

Staffers estimate the tax rate in 2008 would be $2.56 for each $1,000 of assessed value, going up to $2.72 in 2011. The current levy rate is $2.40.

Seniors and disabled persons whose income is under a certain level may be exempt from part or all of local school taxes. The King County Assessor's Office provides information on the exemptions.

Schipper emphasized, "Strong schools do build strong communities. The levy is important to the entire community."

Levy supporters have received endorsements from the city councils of Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines and SeaTac, as well as the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

The White Center Chamber of Commerce, Discover Burien and Seattle-King County Association of Realtors have also backed the levy.

The levy needs a 60 percent supermajority to pass.

If it fails, the district could resubmit it to voters in May.

However, the district must notify teachers of possible layoffs by May 15.

In February 2003, the levy failed by 1 percent but was passed two months later.

Three Highline levies have been resubmitted to voters for a second time before being approved since 1996.

Schipper said the district would have to pay King County $200,000 to run a second election.

A front-page article in the Feb. 28 Times/News understated its cost.