February 13, 2024

2024-2026 Educational Programs & Operations Replacement Levy

What The Levy Funds

• 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. 

 Why is it listed as a replacement levy?

• 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.

Levy Rates

• The maximum levy rate for Washington State is $2.50 per $1000 of assessed value. The current levy rate for Concrete School District is $1.42 for 2023, well below the maximum rate. 

What is the estimated rate per $1,000

• 2024: $1.65
• 2025: $1.69

What is the tax impact?

• The replacement educational and operational levy totals an average of $1.79 million annually for the two years. Based on current assessed home values, the approximate rate per $1,000 is $1.65. The district will collect the levy amount, and the rate per $1,000 will be adjusted based on property values.

What is the levy amount collected by the district?

• 2024: $1,749,709
• 2025: $1,838,771

Doesn’t the district already get more levy money because of more students?

• 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 two levies, taxpayers have paid less than the advertised rate. However, that could change depending on our assessed property values.

• Doesn’t the district already get more levy money because of increased property values?

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

Is anyone exempt from having to pay the levy?

• 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.

Didn’t we just pass a school levy?

• The last levy election was in February of 2021 and lasted for two years.

Is this levy in addition to our current levy?

• No. It replaces the current levy, which expires at the end of 2024. The new levy would start in January 2025.

What will the new levy pay for?

• This is not a new levy. It’s a replacement of the current levy that expires at the end of the 2024 calendar year. It will continue to support the same programs and services in Concrete School District.

What is basic education?

• Basic education is the minimum educational program that the state funds. 
• The state legislature defines basic education and is required by the constitution to fund it. Basic education is the minimum that districts are required to provide students and all that is funded. Districts may offer additional programming and services with local funds.
• Currently, the state’s basic education program funds a minimum number of school days and hours including a minimum number of staff, part of the costs of special education, English language support, some services for students below or above standard academically, about 70% of transportation costs, and a certain amount of funds for supplies and equipment. Anything above the minimum falls on local districts to cover.

Why do we have a levy?

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

Programs and Services

• The levy for Concrete School District helps pay for all of the programs and services the state does not consider “basic education” and helps bridge the gap for many underfunded programs.  
• The local levy is 12.5% ($1,500,000) of the district budget.
• Here is a list of some of the other things the current levy (2021-2024) pays for: 

Support services staff

• Unfunded and underfunded staff are needed for district operations, including health services, school psychologists, mental health counselors, student assistant professionals, special education service providers, paraeducators, custodial, maintenance, grounds, technology, and other staff  

Extracurricular Programs

• Sustain and support the music program, Career & Technical Education clubs, middle school athletics, high school sports, and the community education program

Operations and Facilities

• Deferred maintenance and underfunded monthly operations expenses

Curriculum and Staff Development

• Curriculum and instructional materials replacement and updates and professional development for all staff

Transportation

• Supplement underfunded transportation department expenses

Food Service

• Replace and upgrade kitchen equipment and support the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program

Technology

• Replace and upgrade equipment, software and licensing, media resources, maintenance agreements, network connectivity, and repairs