The Sisters School District is asking residents for their continued support by voting to renew a five-year levy in the May 15 primary election.

The levy was originally approved in 2000, and has been previously renewed three times — 2004, 2009 and 2013. The amount of the levy is equal to about 9 percent of the school district’s budget, or about $1.2 million each year.

An owner of a home assessed at $350,000 would pay $21.88 per month or $262.50 per year.

Renewing that funding is critical for the school district to keep classes from growing too large and to keep a variety of elective classes and programs, according to Superintendent Curtiss Scholl.

“If we didn’t have it, we would have to make decisions about increased class size and keeping some electives,” Scholl said.

“That is really what it means for us — smaller class sizes, more personalized education and strong electives.”

For example, past levies supported elective classes in culinary arts, Spanish, Chinese, music, art, construction and flight science, Scholl said.

“There is a lot of things we are able to provide that we would have to make choices about,” Scholl said.

In addition, levy funding has kept class sizes down in the district, according to Scholl.

Sisters Elementary School has one teacher for every 20 students.

Sisters Middle School has one teacher for every 24 students, and Sisters High School has one teacher for every 26 students.

Scholl said the school district listens closely to the community, which has already supported the levy for nearly two decades.

Community members have made it clear they prioritize smaller class sizes and more elective options.

And those priorities continue to be the focus, Scholl said.

“The community has been very supportive,” Scholl said. “It really provides a ton of additional opportunities for our kids.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com