Riverside School District Levies

Dear Editor and Elk, Chattaroy, and Riverside Community Members,

My name is Daniel, and I am a graduate of Riverside High School. I was enrolled in Riverside School District for thirteen years. Although I’ve moved twice since I graduated in 2013, Chattaroy is, and always will be, my home. Attending Riverside was an essential part of who I became and how I got where I wanted to be, second to my family. I’m sure most of you have already heard about the upcoming levy, and whether or not you’ve made up your mind about it, I hope you’ll come to understand why your vote is so important.

Last June, the Washington state legislature passed a budget measure meant to finally meet our state constitutional requirement to fully fund basic education. This measure increases state property taxes for schools (from $2.00 to $2.82 for area property holders), but caps school levies at $1.50 per $1000 of assessed property value. However, the state supreme court ruled in November that this budget still doesn’t meet the education funding requirement (google “McCleary school funding” to find out more). So although Riverside’s funding situation has improved, we are asking for two levies this year to fill in the gaps from the state. Levy 1 is for educational programs and operations (things like sports, arts, career training), and Levy 2 is for security, roof repair, and technology updates. The combined rate of the two levies will be $0.84 per $1000 less than the current levy rate, thanks to more money from property tax increases across the state.

If you still think of these levies as unnecessary, I don’t know how to explain to you that fixing a leaky roof is not a luxury. If it’s something you’d do for your neighbor, your friend, or your relative, then I don’t see why you wouldn’t do it for the students and staff at Riverside, who might just be your neighbors, friends, or relatives anyway. The same goes for everything else the levies pay for: athletics, band, choir, art, drama, languages, clubs, engineering classes, advanced school security, new computers. All these things that help students develop beyond the “basic” education that the state pays for are just as important as fixing the “basic” leaky roof over their heads, and the students depend on your vote to make those things happen.

I got an exceptional education at Riverside, an education that enabled me to graduate with a degree in Bioengineering with Honors at Stanford last year, and to start my PhD this year. I know it’s cliché, but at Riverside I learned just as much from sports as I did from calculus, just as much from band as I did from chemistry. Character building, career opportunities, college prep – these aren’t covered by state requirements, these are covered by teachers, coaches, and counselors who are dedicated to helping the students of this community. Riverside deserves your help in fully, holistically educating its students and preparing them for a changing world. Please vote yes on both levies on February 13th.

Daniel Hart

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Related Articles

WA Saves Could Cost Business Owners

Most Washington businesses without an employer-sponsored retirement plan must register for WA Saves, starting July 1, 2027, the state’s new retirement savings program. WA Saves aims to help employees build financial security by requiring businesses to offer payroll-deducted Roth IRAs managed through the state. While beneficial for workers, the program raises concerns for employers, particularly small businesses.

Read More »

Dr. Ernest W Kettel

Dr. Ernest Walther Kettel died in his home peacefully with Jo Ann, his wife of 73 years, at his side on February 7th, 2025 at the age of 96.
He was born on October 8, 1928 at home in Wild Rose, North Dakota to Carl William Kettel and Orla (Kolke) Kettel.

Read More »

Celebrate Your Community At The Annual Art Show

The SCLD Community Art Show is back, inviting artists of all ages to showcase their creativity and love for their community. Free miniature canvases will be available at Spokane County Libraries throughout February. This year’s theme, Celebrate Your Community, encourages participants to highlight what makes their hometown special.

Read More »

GreenHouse Food & Clothing Bank Change Of Hours

The GreenHouse Food and Clothing is once again adjusting its hours, this time reducing service availability and shifting to an earlier schedule. However, food bank representatives encourage those with scheduling conflicts to reach out for potential accommodations.

Read More »

Slideshow: WinterFest 2025

Deer Park’s WinterFest 2025 brought the community together with fun traditions like outhouse races, a bustling craft fair, and live music. Check out our online gallery.

Read More »

Miss Deer Park 2025: Scholarships & Opportunities Await

Sophomore and junior high school girls are invited to join the 2025 Miss Deer Park Scholarship Program. This annual event, which has awarded over $48,000 in scholarships over the past three years, offers opportunities to represent the community, build confidence, and help fund college.

Read More »

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Read more news.

Free “SUN” Meals and Snacks For Kids

As summer begins, Deer Park and Riverside School Districts launch SUN Meals, offering free meals to kids 18 and under with convenient to-go options to families. Returning to the Deer Park Middle School location for its community lunch, this program ensures no child goes hungry while school is out.

Read More »

Subscribe to our emails

Use the form below to sign up to receive news via email at no cost to you.

Read & Support The

Local news to keep you informed and entertained. The Deer Park Gazette is locally owned and operated. When you support the Deer Park Gazette, you support local writers and photographers.