If you like mysteries, the interest of the Bend-La Pine Schools in a local option levy to provide more money for schools was not much of a mystery.

The clues were there. It was clear the district’s leadership was interested. It was clear the school board was interested. It was a matter of when.

The answer came Tuesday night: The school board gave official approval to put a local option levy on the May 21 ballot.

It would be for $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, which as most of you know is different from a property’s real market value. The median assessed value for homes in the district is about $239,000. A home with that value would pay $239 a year.

The levy would raise an estimated $21 million for the 2024-2025 school year. It would be in place for 5 years, if it passes. The amount it raises would rise to just under $24 million in the fifth year.

Board members did have questions. For instance, after an article in The Bulletin this week about declining school enrollment, board member Shirley Olson said the community might ask: You are losing kids, why are you asking for more money?

Superintendent Steve Cook emphasized the district is not asking for more money to make up for lost enrollment. The levy request is about continuing and expanding opportunities for students.

The district’s polling shows voters may be willing to support investments in career and technical pathways; protecting class size; retaining and recruiting staff; more advanced academic offerings; more supports for students who are struggling; and more electives in music, art, technology, business and languages.

And so, that is what the district says it will do with the money.

Passage of the levy could further tilt the district’s offerings toward excellence. And if that is not what voters want for Bend’s students and are willing to support, that would be a shame.