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Pullman Public Schools

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Levy

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LEVIES BRING OUR SCHOOLS TO LIFE!

  • A group of four girls stand together, dressed for Multicultural Night
  • High schools students cheer in a crowd with their arms up, waving
  • Three students hold hands and stand in front of an art display
  • A student plays with blocks for STEAM Night
  • a group of middle schoolers wearing orange line up on a stage for Unity Day
  • Multiple students play the saxophone

Pullman School District voters were asked to vote on two (2) four-year replacement levies or both Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and for Technology on the Special Election ballot on February 13, 2024. 

  • The Replacement EP&O passed at 74.16%
  • The Replacement Technology Levy passed at 78.38%

LEVY for LEARNING

These replacement levies are not new taxes - they replace four-year levies that were approved by voters in 2020 and expire at the end of 2024. 

  • 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)

  • A replacement levy is the renewal of an existing enrichment levy that is about to expire. Much like a magazine subscription, levies must be renewed every few years. Typically, if a district is asking for a replacement levy to be approved by voters, it means that it is simply the continuation of an existing tax at the same rate.

  • Our schools rely on levies to bridge the gap between state funding and the actual cost of operating our schools.

    Replacement levies will allow our district to continue to maintain high educational standards and prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving world through access to staff, programs, technology, and course offerings.

    The renewal of these four-year levies would provide the district with a predictable and consistent source of revenue, allowing for better long-term planning and improved educational outcomes.

    Our schools rely on levies to bridge the gap between state funding and the actual cost of operating our schools. Your support will be a direct investment in the future of the community, as well as in the education and opportunities provided to our students!

Why Do We Have a Levy?

A levy helps bridge the gap in funding between what the state pays and the actual costs of operating our schools. While the state provides a baseline level of funding, it doesn’t cover everything our students need for a high-quality education. Levy dollars make up the difference by supporting:

Two people connect puzzle pieces labeled 'Quality Education' and a dollar sign on a wooden bridge.

  • Funding additional teachers to reduce class sizes and increase individual attention for students.

  • Covering costs beyond what the state allocates to ensure all students receive the support they need.

  • Paying for school nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other professionals who support student well-being.

  • Maintaining programs such as art, music, advanced courses, and STEM opportunities that enrich learning.

  • Supporting athletics, clubs, and after-school activities that build teamwork, leadership, and school spirit.

  • Providing up-to-date technology, software, and digital learning resources to keep students connected and prepared.

  • Ensuring students have safe and reliable transportation to and from school and activities.

  • Funding necessary repairs, utilities, and upkeep to keep schools safe, clean, and welcoming.

  • Helping attract and retain quality educators and staff through training and competitive compensation.

Without levy funding, many of these vital programs and services would be reduced or eliminated. Passing a levy ensures our schools can continue to offer the comprehensive, high-quality education our community expects and our students deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A levy is a local property tax passed by voters that generates revenue for the operations of school districts to ensure our students have access to staff, programs, and course offerings to be successful. Levies are used to fund programs and services beyond basic education funding provided by the state.

  • A replacement levy is the renewal of an existing enrichment levy that is about to expire. Much like a magazine subscription, levies must be renewed every few years. Typically, if a district is asking for a replacement levy to be approved by voters, it means that it is simply the continuation of an existing tax at the same rate.

    This allows our district to sustain funding for ongoing programs and services supported in the original levy, while maintaining the current funding level and purpose, which helps maintain continuity and stability in the district’s budget.

  • Levies provide local funding that bridges the gap between what the state provides districts to operate schools and the actual costs of operating a school district. Yet, in addition to supplementing day-to-day operational costs, the levy also provides funding for a number of valued programs and staff. Most of our district's athletics, activities, and performing arts and drama programs are funded largely (or even solely) by levy dollars.

  • A levy rate is the amount of property tax collected per $1,000 of assessed property value. The money collected is used to fund a voter-approved total levy collection amount over a series of years.

    Example: If a homeowner has a home valued at $200,000 and the levy rate is $1.00 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, the homeowner will pay $200 annually in property taxes.

  • Levies funds bring our schools to life! These funds help pay for student activities, athletics, performing arts & clubs, music, libraries, educational programs, school supports, professional development, school safety & security, social-emotional learning, teachers & staff, technology needs, small class sizes, technology, nursing & health services, student transportation, and insurance & utilities.

  • Washington is only legally required to fully fund what is defined as “basic education”, which is based on a funding distribution formula, called the “prototypical model”. This “prototypical model” represents our 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 operating costs to provide a quality education. Funding is based on factors such as enrollment counts, regional cost of living differences, poverty rates, and the number of special needs or non-English speaking students.

     
    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.

  • Voters in the Pullman School District pay for the levy based on the assessed value of property owned in the district. The levy rate is expressed in terms of dollars per $1,000 of assessed property value.

     
    The estimated levy renewal tax rate for Pullman Public Schools would be $2.33 per $1,000 of assessed valuation ($2.22 EP&O; $0.11 Technology), which is lower than 2021 and prior years. A levy rate is the amount of property tax collected per $1,000 of assessed property value. The money collected is used to fund a voter-approved total levy collection amount over a series of years.

  • If a levy renewal is not approved, the school district may face budget challenges, potentially leading to cuts in programs and services. It could impact areas such as extracurricular activities, technology upgrades, and facility maintenance.

    Any one cut could substantially hurt student education in our community.  The lack of a replacement levy would have a dire, severe and direct effect on student learning district-wide.

  • Depending on the type of levy (Enrichment or EP&O, Capital (including tech or transportation), voters can approve levies for one to six years. After the allotted number of years, the levy expires. Districts may then go back to their voters and ask for a renewal of the levy, often referred to as a replacement levy.

  • Voters can approve an Enrichment or EP&O levy for up to four years. After the allotted number of years, the levy expires. Much like a magazine subscription, the levy must be renewed. Districts may then go back to their voters and ask for a renewal of the levy, referred to as a replacement levy.

  • Yes. There is a maximum dollar amount per $1,000 of assessed property value that can be raised by a local community, known as the “Levy Lid.” As part of the changes the Legislature made to the way the state funds education in Washington, also known as the “McCleary decision,” a local community’s ability to approve a levy rate is capped at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value or no more than $2,500 per student maximum, (whichever is greater) a dollar threshold which is adjusted annually based on inflation.

  • Districts can have the same levy rate but raise very different total amounts of money for their school districts because the total property value within a district’s boundary varies greatly across the state. Districts with a larger tax base and higher property values will generate more money for the same tax rate when compared to a district with a smaller tax base with lower property values.