The levy allows the District to continue quality educational programs and services which are not fully funded by the State. Levy money makes up about 10.5% of the District's operating budget.

If the levy is approved, the District will receive an additional $13.1 million in State levy equalization funds in 2023 and similar amounts in 2024-2026. The state provides this money to school districts which have relatively low property values so students in less affluent or smaller districts receive a comparable education to students in wealthier districts.

In 2023, local property taxes are expected to increase from the estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $1.75 per $1,000.

Property taxes vary depending on whether your property was assessed recently at higher value. The amount depends on the increased assessed value. It is also possible for property taxes to go down if the property hasn’t been recently assessed or if new higher valued property is added to the county’s tax base.

The chart below shows the history of Pasco's combined bond and levy rates, starting in 2016. The estimated rates for 2023 thorugh 20226 show a consistent combined bond and levy tax rate for Pasco taxpayers. The combined rates are significantly down from prior years. 

No. The District can only collect the fixed amount of money approved by the voters.

District staff would recommend the Board run the levy again in April. If the levy fails twice, District funding would be reduced by $20.7 million resulting in significant budget cuts to staff and operations in the 2022-23 school year.

School levies require a simple majority or 50% plus one vote.

February 8, 2022.

No later than January 21, 2022.

After the McCleary decision, the state legislature limited the amount of levy funding district’s could ask for. In 2018 the limit was $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The limit has since been raised by the state to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. PSD is requesting a levy estimated at $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

PSD cannot support or oppose a ballot measure and does not provide yard signs.

The board has directed district staff to revise the Long Term Facilities Management Plan in anticipation of scheduling a future bond because PSD did not run a 2020 bond due to the financial impacts of COVID. Please check the PSD website for board agendas discussing this topic this spring.

Levy funds are used for maintenance and repair of facilities, so levy funds may be used to address issues like roof leaks. Usually bigger capital facilities projects, such as a whole-roof replacement, would be paid for on a bond measure.