What will the levy fund?
If approved, the levy will provide funding for:
- Student programs such as music, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
- Additional staff, including nurses, counselors, librarians, and paraeducators.
- Safety measures, transportation, and technology upgrades.
Why is a levy needed if the state funds education?
The state’s funding model does not fully cover the actual costs of operating schools. Levies bridge the gap by supporting programs, staffing, and services that would otherwise be reduced or eliminated.
How does this compare to the current levy?
This is not a new tax; this is a replacement levy with a similar rate.
Local School Tax Rates are projected to decline over the life of the replacement levy.
How long will this levy last?
The levy would be collected over 3 years, from 2027 through 2029.
How is the levy funding managed?
All levy funds are overseen by the elected school board, reviewed annually, and subject to state audits.
What happens if the levy is not approved?
If the levy does not pass, the district will need to reduce or eliminate programs, staff, and services currently funded by local levy dollars. Historically, the levy and LEA funds amount to about 12.5% of the district's budget. Failure to pass the levy not only reduces local control but also eliminates this additional state funding.
What is Local Efforts Assistance (LEA)?
Approving the replacement EP&O Levy obligates approximately an additional $3.9 million from Washington State, back to the Shelton School District, in Local Effort Assistance (LEA), but only if the levy passes. The EP&O levy and LEA funds from the state make up about 12.5% of the Shelton School District Budget.
