Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Levies are for learning and day-to-day operations and help cover the difference between state and federal funding and what it actually costs to run the district. Most school districts in Washington have levies. The current levy will expire in 2026, so the district is running a replacement levy in February.

School levies are funded through property taxes, but the levy on the April ballot is a replacement levy, not a new tax. Replacement levies simply renew an existing local funding source that voters have previously approved.

In Washington State, school funding is built on a state + local levy model. The state provides funding for what it defines as “basic education.” However, that funding does not fully cover the actual cost of operating schools.

Because of this, school districts across Washington are expected to run local levies. It is part of how the state funding system is structured.

What’s Changed Over Time?

In 2019–21, K–12 education made up about 51.6% of the state budget. In the current proposed budgets, that percentage has dropped to approximately 42%. While enrollment, staffing needs, student supports, and operating costs have continued, the share of state funding going to education has declined.

At the same time:

• Utility costs have increased

• Insurance premiums have risen

• Transportation costs have grown

• Fuel prices fluctuate

• Technology costs continue to climb

• Special education costs exceed state allocations

• Mental health and safety needs have increased

Just like families and businesses, school districts are experiencing inflation and rising operational expenses.

What Do Levies Pay For?

Local levy funding supports staffing and operations across the entire district, including:

• Classroom teachers and instructional staff 
• School nurses and health aides 
• Paraeducators 
• School counselors and student support personnel 
• Library aides and library services 
• Office and front office support staff 
• Transportation services, including bus drivers and aides 
• Substitute teachers 
• Athletic coaches and intramural activities 
• Music and theatre programs 
• Clubs, advisors, and extracurricular opportunities 
• School Resource Officers and security staff 
• Technology and instructional supports 
• Custodial and maintenance staff  
• Operational and school leadership supporting daily operations 

As state funding has not kept pace with the actual cost of operating schools, levy dollars have become essential to sustaining both core services and student programs.

Simply put: when schools must reduce basic operations, enrichment opportunities are also affected — because both rely on the same overall funding system.

Are We Alone?

No. Across Washington State, nearly every district runs levies. In fact, in the most recent election cycle, approximately 95% of school levies statewide passed. This reflects that communities understand levies are part of the expected funding structure in our state.

The Bottom Line

Washington’s funding model requires districts to rely on local levies to maintain staffing levels and student programs. Without local levy support, districts would not be able to sustain the level of services families expect.

This is not about adding something new — it is about maintaining programs, staff, and services that students rely on every day in a system where local funding is built into the model.

A common misunderstanding is that levies are based on a percentage of an individual home’s value. In reality, voters approve a maximum dollar amount the district can collect each year. The property tax rate (the amount per $1,000 of assessed value) is then calculated by dividing that total amount across the district’s entire property tax base.

As Pasco grows and the total assessed value of property increases—through both rising home values and new construction—the tax base becomes larger. When that happens, the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value can decrease while still collecting the voter-approved amount. In other words, the district does not automatically receive significantly more revenue simply because property values increase.

The district’s proposed replacement levy rates were also projected using conservative growth assumptions to help stabilize the tax burden on property owners. As an example, the levy projections used earlier estimates of assessed value growth, and once the County Assessor released updated property values, the projected levy rate decreased by approximately $0.09 per $1,000 of assessed value.

A large portion of state and federal funding is legally restricted and must be spent on specific programs or specific groups of students. For example, funding for Bilingual/Multilingual programs, Special Education (SPED), Learning Assistance Program (LAP), LAP High Poverty, Career & Technical Education (CTE), and other state or federal grants can only be used for those designated services. Those dollars cannot be redirected to pay for athletics, clubs, music, theatre, or general staffing and operations.

Because of these restrictions, while the levy represents about 10% of our total budget, it makes up a much larger portion of the flexible funding that supports everyday school operations. In practical terms, losing levy funding would impact closer to 25–30% of the district’s general operating dollars — the funds that support programs and staff across all schools.

That’s why levy funding plays such a significant role in maintaining the services and opportunities students rely on each day.

The total amount collected will not increase beyond what voters approve, even if home values rise.

Estimated rates are based on every $1,000 of assessed property value. 

The levy funds about 10% of the district’s total budget — local dollars that directly support essential staff, student programs, and daily operations that are not fully funded or not funded at all under the state’s basic education allocation.

These local funds help pay for staff beyond state formulas, including additional classroom teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians, and support personnel. They also support athletics and extracurricular activities, music and arts programs, clubs and co-curricular opportunities, School Resource Officers and additional safety staff, substitute teachers, transportation, technology, and operational support such as custodial and office staff.

In short, the levy helps bridge the gap between what the state provides for basic education and what it actually takes to operate Pasco schools and provide well-rounded opportunities for students.

The replacement levy is an estimated $2.08 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Local levy funding, combined with Local Effort Assistance (LEA), represents approximately 13% of the district’s overall budget.

This is not a new tax — it is a renewal of the existing levy that community members are already paying. If approved, it would continue that funding at a slightly lower rate.

For a home assessed at $400,000, the proposed rate equals approximately $832 per year, or about $69 per month.

If approved, this renewal levy would replace the current levy on tax bills at the reduced rate.

Local levy funding and Local Effort Assistance make up approximately 10% of Pasco School District’s annual budget and supports programs and staff that are not fully funded — or not funded at all — by the state.  

Without voter approval, the district would lose levy funding and levy equalization and would need to reduce approximately $50 million per year. Such a reduction would impact all areas of district operations, including classroom staff beyond state formulas; counselors, nurses, and other student support personnel; athletics and extracurricular activities; music, theatre, clubs, and co-curricular opportunities; School Resource Officers and additional safety staff; office and administrative support; custodial and maintenance services; technology and instructional supports; substitute teachers; and transportation services that ensure students get safely to and from school.

Under Washington state law, a school district may place a levy measure on the ballot no more than twice within a calendar year. The April 28, 2026, election represents the district’s second opportunity in 2026 for voters to consider renewal of this levy. 

Richland and Kennewick each run two separate levies — an Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy and a Capital/Technology levy. When you combine both of their levies, their total levy rates are higher than Pasco’s total rate.

Pasco currently runs a single EP&O levy. We do not have a separate Capital/Technology levy layered on top like those districts do and we collect the least amount out of all three districts.

Property tax statements often show three separate lines related to school funding, which can sometimes be confusing. Two of these taxes are state property taxes, and one is the local school levy approved by voters in the community.

Local School refers to Pasco School District’s Educational Programs & Operations Levy (and bonds, if applicable). This funding stays in Pasco and supports local schools, including staffing, student programs, safety, transportation, athletics, music, and other services not fully funded by the state. Local voters approve this tax through elections.

State School PT 1 and State School PT 2 are statewide property taxes that support public education across Washington. These tax rates are set by the Washington State Legislature, and local voters do not vote on them. The funds are collected by counties and distributed through the state’s education budget, rather than going directly to Pasco School District.

In short, only the “Local School” tax is controlled by local voters and used directly by Pasco School District, while the State School PT 1 and PT 2 taxes support public education statewide.

For four-years. The proposed replacement levy would continue for four years, from 2027 through 2030.

The replacement EP&O Levy will appear on the April 28, 2026 ballot. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in mid-April.

Levies are for learning. Bonds are for building. 

A levy provides short-term, local funding for day-to-day school operations—things like teachers, classroom support, mental health staff, technology, athletics and basic maintenance. Levies must be renewed by voters every few years. 

A bond is used to fund large, long-term investments like building new schools, modernizing old buildings, or making major safety upgrades. Bond funds are borrowed and repaid over time, like a mortgage. 

Both require voter approval and are essential to maintaining safe, high-quality learning environments for students. 

You can vote by mail or dropping off your ballot at a local ballot drop location. 

• If you choose to vote by mail, officials strongly encourage voters to mail their completed ballots by April 20th at the very latest for the April 28th, election so there’s enough time for delivery and to avoid any risk of a late postmark. This helps make sure your ballot arrives in time and is included in the official count.
• If you choose to vote by drop box, here's a list of drop off locations in Franklin County.