Local levy dollars support vital programs and services for students not covered under “basic education” or underfunded by the state. Despite a State Supreme Court order, even “basic education” is not fully funded. In Concrete School District, grant funds are also used to bridge this gap.

Local levy dollars impact how well the district can operate facilities and educational programs. These include special education, the arts, gifted learners, multilingual learners, safety and building maintenance, technology, curriculum, para-educators, athletics, clubs, transportation, and more.

• Click Here for a breakdown of Levy Funding

Replacement levies in Washington State generally include (1) approval of the ballot title by the county attorney, (2) a reasonably level estimated tax rate for voters, and (3) the ability to maintain the staffing, programs, and services in the prior levy.

Concrete School District’s proposed replacement levy meets all of these criteria. It is important to know that Washington State requires that its state-mandated cost of living adjustments and benefits apply to all staff, including levy-funded staff. To maintain the existing services, the dollars collected each year are adjusted to reflect increased property values, maintaining a level estimated tax rate and sustaining the promised services for students.

The maximum levy rate for Washington State is $2.50 per $1000 of assessed value. The current levy rate for Concrete School District is $1.4055 for 2025, well below the maximum rate.

What is the estimated rate per $1,000

• 2027: $1.38
• 2028: $1.38
• 2029: $1.38
• 2030: $1.38

The replacement educational and operational levy totals an average of $2.322 million annually for the four years. Based on current assessed home values, the approximate rate per $1,000 is $1.38. The district will collect the levy amount, and the rate per $1,000 will be adjusted based on property values. Example cost per home price are:

• A home assessed at $100,000 would pay $138 per year
• A home assessed at $300,000 would pay $414 per year
• A home assessed at $500,000 would pay $690 per year

To help provide budget context, Concrete School District’s annual operating budget is approximately $12 million, though the total budget can change from year to year based on enrollment, state funding, and other factors. The proposed replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy would generate local funding over four years as follows:

• 2027: $2,150,000
• 2028: $2,250,000
• 2029: $2,370,000
• 2030: $2.520,000

No. The levy is a flat dollar amount collected regardless of student enrollment. We slightly increase the levy amount each year for inflation. By doing this, it keeps our rate per $1,000 relatively flat. In fact, over the past three levies, taxpayers have paid less than the advertised rate. However, that could change depending on our assessed property values.

No. The levy is a flat dollar amount collected regardless of assessed property values.

Yes. There are some property tax exemptions for senior citizens, disabled individuals, and widows/widowers of veterans. There are also deferments available for other property owners. Details about how to qualify for these programs are available from the Department of Revenue.

The last levy election was in February of 2024 and lasted for two years.

No. It replaces the current levy, which expires at the end of 2026. The new levy would start in January 2027.

This is not a new levy. It’s a replacement of the current levy that expires at the end of the 2026 calendar year. It will continue to support the same programs and services in Concrete School District.

Basic education is the minimum educational program the State of Washington is constitutionally required to fund. The Legislature defines what is included in basic education, and the state provides funding only for that minimum level of services. Basic education funding covers:

• A minimum number of instructional days and hours
• A minimum level of staffing
• Part of the cost of special education services
• Part of the cost of English language (multilingual) learner services
• Limited services for students who are below or above academic standards
• Approximately 70% of student transportation costs
• A limited amount of funding for supplies and instructional materials

Anything beyond these minimum requirements—such as smaller class sizes, expanded student supports, full transportation costs, athletics, extracurricular activities, additional special education services, utilities, insurance, and many staff positions—is not fully funded by the state and must be supported by local funding, such as levies.

The levy for Concrete School District helps pay for all of the programs and services the state does not consider to be “basic education” and helps bridge the gap for many programs that are underfunded. 12.5% of the district budget comes from the levy.

The state underfunds services such as special education and support for health and safety. The levy supplements these services. Electives, activities & athletics, advanced programs, and more are not considered “basic education” and require levy funding.

You can now register online, by mail, or in-person to vote. More details are available at Vote.org

The Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy helps fund programs and services that are not fully funded—or not funded at all—by the state’s basic education program and helps bridge gaps where state funding does not cover actual costs. Based on current projections, levy funding is expected to provide approximately 18–21% of the district’s operating revenue, or about $2.15–$2.52 million per year, depending on the year and final adopted budget.

Levy funding supports staffing and student services not fully funded by the state, including health services, school psychologists, mental health counselors, special education service providers, paraeducators, and student support staff, as well as operational staff such as custodial, maintenance, grounds, and technology support.

Levy funds also support extracurricular and enrichment opportunities not considered basic education, including music, Career & Technical Education (CTE) clubs, middle school athletics, high school sports, and community education programs. In addition, levy funding helps cover transportation costs, facilities and deferred maintenance, curriculum and professional development, food service operations (including kitchen equipment and the Community Eligibility Provision meal program), and technology infrastructure such as devices, software, licensing, and network connectivity.

Dollar amounts and percentages may vary from year to year based on enrollment, state funding, and the final adopted district budget.