On Thursday, the Olympia School District board of directors adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 1, which would add .01% to the Olympia city sales tax.
In supporting the ballot measure, also known by the name of the committee behind it, Inspire Olympia!, the school district board stated that it believes that arts improve students' academic performance. “Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, college-going rates, and lower drop-out rates.”
“Students across all socio-economic strata reap these educational benefits. Yet the Department of Education reports that access to arts education for students of color is significantly lower than for their white peers. 91% of Americans believe that arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education,” stated the resolution.
Inspire Olympia! is a referendum its supporters say would increase access to arts, culture, heritage and science experiences throughout Olympia. It aims to reduce access barriers and expand offerings for all people in the region, especially youth.
Olympia is holding a special election now, with ballots due next Tuesday, April 26, to get voter approval to increase the sales tax by .01 percent, or a penny on $10.00, to create funds designated to support arts and culture programs.
The school district board also believes the initiative would fund field trips for Olympia schools and help transport and pay for the cost of tickets for students who cannot afford to attend or get to cultural arts programming.
“The goal for program funding will catalyze a wide array of experiences designed with, by, and for people of color, people with disabilities, low-income families, the LGBTQIA community, and anyone who has historically lacked access to resources and/or opportunities. A critically needed focus to make Olympia a more tolerant, inclusive, and resilient community for everyone,” it added in the resolution.
According to data provided by the district to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as of October 1, 2021, the district had 9,784 students enrolled. Of these, 63.2% were identified as white, 11.4% are two or more races, 13.6% are "Hispanic/Latino of any race(s)," 7.4% Asian, 3.2% Black/African American, .6% Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander, .5% American Indian/Alaskan Native.
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wolfmanner
No more taxes for these people.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Report this
Cobbnaustic
@ wolfmanner, I totally agree, to many taxes.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Report this
JW
Of course the gaping black hole for tax money known as the school district supports fleecing the taxpayers more.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Report this