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Bonds & Levies
How do schools receive the money they need to provide an education for all students?
Washington is required to fully fund “basic education” based on a funding distribution formula referred to as the “prototypical model.” This model represents the Legislature’s assumptions about the costs associated with providing a “basic education” to student seedlings. Sadly, the money provided by the state for schools does not cover the actual cost of operating, constructing, and maintaining a school district. Local community funding measures, called levies and bonds, fill the gap between state funds and the real cost of providing the structures and services that help students grow and thrive.
Why are quality schools important?
A quality education provides the foundation upon which one can build a productive and successful life. Through education, students obtain a magnitude of knowledge and learn fundamental skills for critical thinking, future learning, employment, independence, and the confidence to accomplish their dreams.
A quality education provides opportunities to learn about the world and opens doors to determining and fulfilling dreams and ambitions, enabling individuals to establish themselves and contribute to society.
For our students, a higher level of education leads to:
- Higher likelihood of employment
- Higher wages when employed
- Improved physical & mental health
- Increased civic participation (active & productive citizens)
Quality Schools:
- Promote curiosity, creativity, innovation, and a growth-mindset
- Provide safe and secure learning environments that foster optimal development of children and families.
For our community, quality schools are a wise investment! Quality schools:
- Provide resources and support for children and their families
- Impact business recruitment
- Increase property values
- Are an important part of economic development
- Provide for a larger tax base
- Lead to lower rates of poverty and unemployment.
School Funding Sources
2022-2023 School Year
- 366+ Staff
- 2,641 Students
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The majority of the district's revenue—80%—comes from state funding, which is divided into two main types: general purpose funds, called "state apportionment," and special purpose funds, known as "categorical program funding." Most special purpose funds are allocated for specific programs and cannot be used for other expenses.
The amount of funding each district receives is based on the average number of students enrolled throughout the year and state-established formulas. These formulas consider factors like base salaries, employee benefits, supplies, materials, and operational expenses. Special purpose funds help support programs such as special education, student transportation, bilingual education, and learning assistance.
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Local revenues contribute 15% of the general fund and are essential for providing a well-rounded education. Most of this funding comes from local property taxes, with additional income from non-tax sources like fees, fines, rental payments, interest earnings, and donations. Compared to other funding sources, local levy funds offer the most flexibility in how they can be used. Levies are the second largest funding source for Pullman Public Schools.
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Federal funding is strictly limited to specific programs and accounts for up to 5% of the district’s revenue. These funds support targeted initiatives, including school improvement (Title II), aid for disadvantaged students (Title I), and assistance for students with limited English proficiency (Title III). Additionally, federal funds help offset the cost of free and reduced-price meal programs and provide extra support for special education services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, but the amount of funding that each district receives varies greatly based on a number of factors.
For example: Enrollment, regional cost of living differences, poverty rates, and the number of special needs or non-English speaking students all factor into the amount of state funding a district may receive. Many school districts receive some federal funding, which is mostly determined by indicators such as levels of poverty and special needs populations within a district. -
No! Washington is only legally required to fully fund what they define to be “basic education” based on a funding distribution formula referred to as the “prototypical model.” This model represents the Legislature’s assumptions about the costs associated with providing a “basic education” to students. Because the funding comes by way of a formula, it often supports only part of the staffing or other services required in a school. For example, in a local school district with 10,000 students, the state formula only provides funding for 1.5 school nurses. The district may actually need 4 nurses, which would have to be paid for out of local levy funds and not state funds. Another example is safety and security staff. For every 430 students, the prototypical model funds 1 safety and security staff member.
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Levy for Learning
A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of “basic education.”
Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% 1)
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Bond for Building
A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years.
Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%)
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Levy for Learning:
- For enrichment, maintenance and operations, technology, additonal staffing, and programs to supplement state funding
- Paid for in 2-4 years
- The money is collected annually for the life of the levy once approved by voters
- Requires 50% plus 1 voter approval
- Voters pay for levy based on assessed value of property owned
Bond for Building:
- For construction of school facilities
- Typically paid over 20 years
- The school district receives all money upfront to pay for construction/facility improvement costs once approved by voters
- Requires 60% plus voter approval
- Voters pay for bond based on assessed value of property owned
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Funding for education in the state of Washington is complicated. The state does provide some funding to school districts, but there is still a gap between what the state provides and what it costs to provide the services and programs Pullman students need.