ILWACO, Wash. Ocean Beach School District supporters have begun a campaign for a levy Feb. 11.

The Ocean Beach School Board has unanimously decided to ask voters for $5.5 million to restore and reoccupy the high school overlooking Black Lake in Ilwaco. These funds will be collected in six installments of $916,666 a year starting in 2015, initially adding 58 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value about $5 a month on a home valued at $100,000. The levy rate gradually falls to 54 cents per $1,000 in its final year.

A state energy-efficiency grant for $500,000 is virtually assured, providing district voters approve the plan. But there wont be state matching funds available for the overall project that requires spending at least $80 per square foot, and this renovation budget is far below that.

Though not a total facelift, and far less a complete rebuild like that which happened at Ocean Park Elementary, the goal at Black Lake is to have a facility that is suitable, not embarrassing, functions well, Superintendent Mark Hottowe said at a recent board meeting.

If a majority of voters OK the levy plan, the board will borrow against this revenue stream so work can start immediately. High school students in grades 9 through 12 would move back into the Black Lake campus in the fall of 2014, while Hilltop School would be dedicated to educating grades 7 and 8, and probably 6.

Educators say this will alleviate serious crowding, particularly at Hilltop and Long Beach Elementary. It will physically separate younger and older adolescents. And it will keep students from routinely having to walk the two or three blocks between Hilltop and Black Lake to use athletic facilities and other resources that are only available there.

A number of citizens have spoken up in favor of moving back into the Black Lake campus. This is our opportunity to get it right this time, Holli Kemmer said about having separate schools for grades 9 to 12 and 6 to 8.

Kemmer, Mary Goelz, Monica Younger and others urged the board to make certain the Peninsula Boys and Girls Club continues to have a site within the district, if Black Lake is again fully occupied by classes.

Board members offered assurances they will do all they can.

Dave Glasson of the Ocean Beach Education Foundation will head the levy campaign. A simple majority of 50 percent plus one of votes cast is required. There is no minimum turnout rate for the election to be valid.

M&O and technology

In the same Feb. 11 election, Ocean Beach voters will be asked to renew the districts three-year Maintenance and Operations levy, as well as a smaller levy for technology computers, software and possibly internal school wiring.

District voters have approved all proposed M&Os for at least the past 25 years. Ocean Beach and all other districts in the state depend on these funds for basic operations. School leaders are cautiously optimistic that the need for this funding crutch may diminish in coming years, if the state Supreme Court continues leaning on the Legislature to provide all the school money mandated by the Washington Constitution and the courts landmark decision in McCleary v. Washington.

The M&O rate is set for $1.87 per $1,000 in 2015 and 2016, rising to about $2 in 2017. This would generate about $2.9 million in 2015 and 2016, and $3.2 million in 2017. The present 2013 rate is $1.63, bringing in total revenue of about $2.65 million.

The proposed technology levy rate is 25 cents per $1,000 for all three years, collecting about $400,000 a year.

Black Lake

A detailed analysis by the Educational Service District 112 found the 1970s-vintage campus at Black Lake is in good condition for its age. It was well built and has been appropriately maintained.

But there are still about 60 items on the districts to-do list that are necessary to bring Black Lake up to modern standards and make it fully functional for high schoolers. In addition, the school board and Superintendent Hottowe decided last week to ask voters for $1.275 million to replace the roof. There are no leaks at present in the single-ply 1992 roof, but it is nearing obsolescence and officials say they dont want to take a chance.

Aside from the roof, the largest single item on the list is $500,000 for furniture and equipment. These items were close to worn out when the campus was closed in the spring 2008. Replacing the intercom/clock/phone /data infrastructure will cost an estimated $419,000. Replacing obsolete electrical transformers will cost about $215,000.

Other substantial items include: $186,000 for fire-alarm system; $168,000 to replace lockers; $135,000 for plumbing fixtures; $62,500 for insulated doors and windows; $50,000 to repair ventilation systems; $60,000 to replace hot-water pipes in the ceiling. Smaller items include everything from $15,000 to replace damaged ceiling tiles to $30,000 for toilet partitions. One set of restrooms would be upgraded to meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.

The to-do list comes to about $2.825 million, or $4.1 million with the roof. To this is added a 10 percent contingency fund, and a 35 percent fund that pays for sales tax, permits and design fees.

Fall-back plan

Hottowe has said that the crowding issue must be dealt with in 2014. If voters reject the levy, he and the school board have decided not to purchase additional portable classrooms. Costing about $200,000 each, with the funds having to come out of the districts operational budget, portables are regarded as an inadequate substitute for long-lasting facilities.

So instead, the district would do minimal work to a suite of six classrooms in one wing of Black Lake at a cost of about $200,000 for wiring and painting. Teachers of subjects that dont require much infrastructure would be relocated there, and their students would have to walk between the campuses for classes.

This is viewed by the district as undesirable for several reasons, including exposing students to wet weather and consuming additional classroom time to make the walk. High school and middle school students would also continue to have to share some space at Hilltop.