Update: As of Feb. 13, 2024, our levies were approved at nearly 64%. Thank you, voters! and the election will certify oN Feb. 23, 2024.
Click here to read an election night thank you message from Superintendent Greg Baker sent to staff, families and community.
Videos features: Areas of levy funding impact
Watch a series of short videos via the playlist above, or click on a caption topic directly highlighting , , , , , and in 番茄影视 Public Schools.听
Quick Facts about School Levies听
Like nearly every district in Washington, we rely on levies to provide essential funding for programs not fully funded by our state. We have an operations and technology levy on the upcoming special election ballot on Feb. 13, 2024. These levies would replace two voter-approved levies from 2020 that will expire soon. As a reminder to voters, we use the easy-to-remember adage 鈥渂onds are for building and levies are for learning.鈥 These replacement levies pay for nearly 25 percent of the cost of educational services that the state does not adequately fund.听
Operations Levy听
Our upcoming replacement operations levy supports teaching and learning:听
- Pays for teachers, counselors, nurses and other staff鈥听
- Lowers class size鈥听
- Funds other basic operations and programs such as safety, Special Education, Multilingual Learners and Highly Capable 听
- Provides arts, music, athletics and other programs for the whole child鈥听
- Supports food services/wellness
- Supports field trips and Project Free Education鈥听
- Pays for preventative maintenance in schools
Technology Levy听
The replacement technology levy pays for:听
- School modernization and safety enhancements: security cameras, door locking systems听
- School wired/wireless networks听听听
- Adaptive technologies and devices for children with special needs听
- Computers, software, and digital curriculum licensing听
- 1:1 (one-to-one) technology initiative to support learning and prepare students for the future听
- Staff who implement and integrate technology听
- Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) support鈥听
- Developing lessons about online safety, responsibility and digital citizenship听
What is the $ impact?听
If approved, the replacement operations and technology levies slightly increase each year by approximately 5%.
While the amount of the levy increases slightly, the total tax rate is estimated to decrease over the life of the four-year levy as shown below.听 These rates reflect the levies being proposed and bonds approved in past elections.听
Our district’s levies are for a fixed amount, so even if your assessed value increases, the amount the district receives does not increase
2021 Actual: $3.48
2022 Actual: $3.45
2023 Actual: $3.19
2024: $2.94
2025: $2.90
2026: $2.64
2027: $2.65
2028: $2.68听
*Estimated total school district combined bond and levy rate per $1,000 assessed value. The rates are estimates based upon data from the Whatcom County Assessor鈥檚 Office.听
How much we collect per year for replacement operations levy: (estimates)听
2025: $37 million听
2026: $39 million听
2027: $41 million听
2028: $43 million听
How much we collect per year for replacement technology levy: (estimates)听
2025: $19 million听
2026: $20 million听
2027: $21 million听
2028: $22 million听
How can I vote?听
Members of the public are encouraged to vote. In January 2024, voters will receive the ballot for the two school levies in the mail. The envelope should be returned and postmarked by Feb. 13, 2024, no stamp needed.听
Senior Citizens Exemption Information听
Qualifying senior citizens and persons with disabilities may be exempt from paying school levies. For more information, please call the County Assessor鈥檚 office at (360) 778-5050 or visit: 听