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.

The levy represents about 10% of the district’s total budget — local dollars that directly support essential staff, student programs, and operations.

The replacement levy is proposed at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

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. 

District staff would recommend to the Board that the levy be run again in April. If the levy fails twice in the same calendar year, District funding would be reduced by the levy amount of $35.5 million and $14.1 million in state levy equalization revenue, resulting in budget cuts. 

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

The replacement EP&O Levy will appear on the February 10, 2026 ballot. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in late January.

Property taxes vary depending on a property’s assessed value. It’s possible for property taxes to go up or down if the property has been recently assessed or if new higher valued property is added to the county’s tax base. ​