MATTAWA - According to  Superintendent Aaron Chavez, the Wahluke School District will seek to maintain the current rate of property taxation in its operation and maintenance levy election on Feb. 14.

"After several months of discussion, the school board has decided to maintain the same rate of $2.91," he said recently.

Chavez said the board is expecting a significant loss in state funding. It believes the community will support $2.91 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would mean a yearly tax of $291 on a property valued at $100,000.

Over the next several weeks, Chavez plans speak to community groups about the replacement levy. Persons who would like to visit the school may email Chavez at achavez@wsd73.wednet.edu or call 932-4565.

Chavez noted he recently met with state representatives about upcoming cuts to education. The state is dealing with a $1.4 billion dollar budget deficit, and education is preparing to take hits.

"I am encouraging staff and community members to contact (their) state legislators at www.leg.wa.gov to communicate (their) feelings,"  he said.

There is a possibility of levy equalization cuts ($2 million for Wahluke) or cuts to full day kindergarten ($500,000 for Wahluke).

"If they make cuts, they should be fair and equal across the state ... not just the poorest districts taking the biggest cuts," Chavez said.

In other district news, Chavez said the new emphasis on English learning is working. He said students are learning at faster rates.

"Part of these gains can be attributed to the K-5 Academy and their intentional focus on intense English instruction, as well as reading and math vocabulary," Chavez said.

Chavez recently visited one of the elementary schools and had the opportunity to speak with one of the kindergarten teachers.

"She was very excited, saying that at the beginning of the year she had several all-Spanish-speaking students in her classroom and now, several months into school, her students were speaking in English," Chavez said.