Simply put Levies are for LEARNING and Bonds are for Building

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 levy that is about to expire. 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.

WSD will be asking voters to approve a renewal EP&O levy on February 11, 2025.

In contrast a bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years. Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%). 

Educational Programs and Services (EP&O) levies allow a school district to provide things like safety and security, facilities maintainence, teachers, classroom support staff, technology and supplies that the state only partially funds. Levies also fund athletics, musics, arts, enrichement and extra curricular programs.

Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, so levies bridge the gap in funding.

The state provides funding for most teachers, but the levy increases the number of staff in critical roles to ensure the needs of the 6,800 students in our district are being met. In some cases, the state provides no funding at all.

The Educational Programs and Operation Levy provides funds for the following.

Program Support

• Program support staff
• Equipment 
• Supplies
• Technology 

Program Support Funding:

• Music programs (K-12 music teachers, Mariachi, Band, Choir and Strings)
• Art and theater teachers and programs
• Elementary art and music specialists 
• Middle school and high school athletics 
• Extra-curricular programs and clubs
• Lowering class size 
• Instructional assistants and support 
• Student enrichment programs
• HiCap
• AVID - (Achievement Via Individual Determination)
• Avanced Placement (AP) courses
• Additional staffing above and beyond what the staff provides as basic education 
• Nurses
• Safety & security services, School resource officers
• Science Resource Center and STEM K-5 field experiences

Equipment and Supplies Funding:

• Classroom textbooks 
• School materials and supplies 
• District operational costs 
• Utilities
• Transportation services and fuel
• Capital equipment
• Building repairs and facilty maintainence 

Technology Funding:

• Technology devices
• Software 
• Training
• Cybersecurity 
• Technology staff
   

The Washington Constitution limits educational programs and operation (EP&O) levies to a period not to exceed 4 years. Wenatchee’s levy funds are collected over a four-year time period and must be renewed (similar to a Netfilix subscription). A replacement levy asks voters to replace an existing levy that is scheduled to expire.

The District’s proposed 4-year EP&O levy will replace the prior levy approved by the voters in 2021 and set to expire in December 2025.

Yes, but the funding does not cover the actual costs of operating a school district. The Washington State Supreme Court decision on the McCleary lawsuit resulted in public school districts seeing a net funding increase in 2018. Even though the state increased the amount of funding it was providing to school districts, it also capped the amount of funding school districts can raise from local levies. The Legislature also applied restrictions to how funding can be used. For local school districts, this means that levies have been significantly impacted, causing widespread confusion in communities across the state.

A levy rate is the amount of property tax per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund a voter approved levy amount. A levy rate of $1.00 means that for every $1,000 of property value, the owner of the property will have to pay $1.00 in taxes.

Example: If a homeowner has a home valued at $400,000 and the levy rate is $1.00 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, the homeowner will pay $400 annually in property taxes.

The school board has approved levy rate of $2.20 per $1000 of assessed property value. This is the rae that will be placed on the ballot in February 11, 2025. 

The Wenatchee School District is proposing a replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy with a rate of $2.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This represents a $0.10 increase from the rate approved by voters of $2.10 for the current levy, which expires in 2025. The reason for the increase is to keep up with inflationary costs of materials, supplies, operating and staffing costs. 

However, the district just refinanced bonds used for the construction of Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools. Taxpayers are already paying for the bond along with the levy. This refinancing will result in tax savings of $0.09 per $1,000 of assessed value, effectively offsetting the proposed levy rate increase.

Therefore, the net impact of the levy on people's taxes will be an increase of $0.01 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a homeowner with a $400,000 home, the annual increase would be $4. 

If voters do not approve the renewal of the EP&O levy, the district will be faced with reducing student programs and services over the next several years by the following amounts.

$11 million (levy + state matching funds) in 25-26

$20.2 million (levy + state matching funds) in 26-27

Yes. This maximum dollar amount is 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,” Levy rates for the District are capped at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

Restrictions on Maximum Collections
$2.50 per 1,000 of taxable assessed values (2019 was $1.50)
$1.50 per 1,000 required to receive maximum state equalization funding

Yes! If you are at least 61 years old on December 31 of the application year with an annual household disposable income of $43,588 or less, or unable towork because of a disability, or a veteran with an 80% disability rating for a service connected disability, youmay be eligible for the Washington State property tax exemption program (dor.wa.gov). For the most current information and to check your status, contact the office of the Chelan County Assessor at (509) 667-6364.

The levy renewal must be approved by voters with a yes vote of 50% + 1. 

Yes, in the spring of 2024 the district took action to refinance the bond that taxpayers are currently paying for that built Washington Elementary and modernized Lincoln Elementary. 
Saving taxpayers $0.09 per $1000 of assesed value and $6.6 million over the next 8 years. 

Yes, if you rent a home or appartment in the Wenatchee School District boundary and are a resitered voter in Chelan County you can vote on the levy. You do not need to own property to vote. 

February 3, 2025 - The last day to register to vote or update your current registration by any means (other than in person). The information must be received by an election official by this day.

Febryary 11, 2025 - You may register to vote or update your current registration in person up to 8:00 PM on Election Day at the Chelan County Auditors Office, voting center or any other designated location. 

Contact the Chelan County Auditor's office for voter registration details and questions:

Chelan Co. Auditor
 350 Orondo Ave. Wenatchee WA 98801
 elections@co.chelan.wa.us
 (509) 667-6808

Register to vote online

EP&O Renewal Levy 2021