About the Levy

• This money will allow ISD 279 to cover some of the costs that exceed State Aids in the future

• If your house values around $200,000: taxes will increase $18 per month

• And if they value about $350,000: taxes will increase $31.60 per month

• The money from Question #3 of the levy will help advance technology for students
If Not Passed

• Tax costs will stay the same

• 2 elementary schools and 1 secondary school will likely close

• Class sizes will increase

• Boundary changes will require more than 4,000 students to change schools

• It will eliminate 500 or more jobs - 300 or more teachers - 180 support staff and 20 administrators

Most students at Park Center, and maybe even students from other schools in District 279, have no idea and/or details about the district levy. Many of us would like to know more about the levy and the affect it will have on our community and our school. I talked to a variety of students about their opinions on this levy and we, the students of Park Center, most definitely would not like the fact that class sizes will expand and the possibility of not having school sports next year. Trust me, you may think this levy won't affect you, but if this levy does not get passed, think of all the activities that will get cut... the many teachers that will get laid off... less free transportation that will be offered... the class sizes increasing drastically... less one-on-one help due to the enormous class sizes... maybe fewer elective classes will be available to students... Will this affect the students' learning ability? Just think about it. This levy is a big deal.

Lets ask the students

     President of the Senior class cabinet, Tenzin Jangchup, would like to say, "Park Center is a great place for kids to learn and to have fun. The levy that this school district is having will help us so much. Even though this is my last year here at Park Center, I want the other classes to have the same opportunity that I had while I was here.

    GO PIRATES, Keep up the school spirit!!"

         President of the Junior class cabinet class Allie Zeman understands that this levy is really important to this school and all the other schools in this district. She would like to inform others about the levy and bring it to their attention that we could lose a lot of important assets of this school. Allie feels that teachers, sports, or other after school activities are crucial. She worries about the loss of extra things such as help outside of the classroom that help students get a better understanding and be able to comprehend what they're learning. So to all the students out there, we would like this levy to pass in able to have a better future.

Its A Pirates Life for Me '09

       Fellow senior Pat Quinn said that, "It would be terrible to have our sports rise in price and/or not have any after school activities at all."

         These Juniors and sophomores would like to say that school is a place to have fun and learn new things along the way. They feel that this levy is important to them. "It impacts our futures, so we are all for it."

Sophomore Zach Jorgenson spoke his mind: "This levy? I think it's a big deal. What are the elementary school kids going to do if their school closes. Teachers getting cut, sports getting cut; it's not a good thing. For some kids, the after school activity is the only way kids stay fit. I think people will understand if taxes are raised for education. The students after us need it because they're the kids of the future. It's not like the money is going towards blowing up another country or something."

Shanay Taylor of the 11th Grade was asked if she wanted this levy to pass. "I want this levy to pass; education is more important. It would be nice if taxes didn't go up, but like I said, education is more important, period."

After telling Junior, Kemi Olarinde, about the effects on the district if the levy doesn't pass, her eyes widened, jaw dropped and she was utterly furious. "It NEEDS to pass! What if they decide to close down my school?! They can't close down my school and I need after school acivities!" she dramatically shouted. "I don't care if taxes raise. OH WELL."

Marissa Martinson definitely feels that this levy is important. "I think this levy is such a big deal. If it doesn't pass, it'll be harder to learn. Honestly, I think it will just be a complicated mess. If we don't have after school activities, kids will just be into video games and might even get involved in bad things like drugs and alcohol."

Senior TJ believes "it's necessary for the younger generations to thrive." He also said, "You can't have classroom sizes increase because there will be less focus on students."

-Ted Henrickson(PCHS Webteam)
-Michelle Pham(PCHS Webteam)