Frequently Asked Questions - Levy

Levy Basics

What is an operations levy and why do school districts need them to support student education and every day operations?

School districts often face the challenge of rising costs without matching increases in funding. This results in a loss of purchasing power—meaning the same amount of money buys less than it used to.

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Time to Vote

Voting and registration information, dates, where to turn in your ballot and when, and how to apply for Tax Relief if you're on a fixed income.

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Our Levy in Action

A look at what programs the levy funding will be used for in HSD - and which ones will need to be cut if the levy doesn't pass.

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What's at stake?

Here’s what the Hockinson Schools stands to lose or have to cut if the levy renewal fails

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By the Numbers

How much? How long? Plus, a comparison of levy and tax rates over the years and across neighboring districts.

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Funding Facts

Didn't the McCleary Decision 'fix' our funding? Not quite. What about federal funding? Find out more here.

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Additional Resources that provide more clarity and support that just don't fit anywhere else!

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Want to ask a question that we haven't addressed? Enter it below and check back here when we post an answer. Thanks for your patience.

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Levy Basics

How is public education funded in the state of Washington?

Funding for education in the state of Washington comes from three main sources:

State funding for basic education
Bonds
levies.

State funding does not cover the actual costs required to operate a school district. Voter approved bonds and levies provide critical funding for the school district to maintain facilities, provide enrichment programs and other health and educational services.

Bonds fund Buildings / Levies fund Learning

Bonds provide funding for the construction of school buildings.

Levies provide funding for learning and logistics — the State does not consider the items and programs listed below to be part of a basic education:

Staff that support the SPED program and student IEPs
Extracurricular activities (sports, band, theater, clubs, etc.)
School librarians
School nurses
Instructional technology
Transportation (buses)
School security
Building maintenance (upkeep, daily cleaning, and safety not covered in state/federal funding)

Some or all of these items may be reduced or eliminated if this levy isn’t approved.

What does Washington State consider to be a 'Basic Education'?

That question is the source of much debate in the state of Washington…

To some, basic education is the educational experiences that support students’ learning of standards. To others it includes all services that support learning and safety such as nurses and security personnel. Some also consider basic education to include supplies, learning materials, support staff, and extracurricular activities.

Article IX, Sections 1 and 2 of the State Constitution declares that: (1) it is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provisions for the education of the state’s children; and (2) the Legislature is required to provide for a general and uniform system of public schools.

Click here to view the full definition of a 'basic education' as outlined by the State of Washington.

In response to this statute, the Legislature and the Court system continue to redefine Basic Education in effort to meet its paramount duty. As a result, the Legislature has increased the state’s funding of Basic Education. Despite increased funding, state funding for Basic Education continues to fall short of a district’s true costs. This funding gap creates a reliance on local levies and can lead to local inequities in per student funding.

Levies pay for certificated, support and special education staff that are necessary but not covered by the state. This includes teachers to keep class sizes low or provide specialty offerings, positions such as librarians, nurses, and security, and learning support personnel to meet special learning needs. It also funds important educational programming, athletics, fine arts and extracurricular activities not included in the state’s definition of basic education.

How much does Washington State provide to HSD to support Basic Education?

This is difficult to answer because a set amount of funding can be allocated to many different programs and purposes. However, state funding falls short of the full cost of providing basic education programs and services. Educational Programs & Operations levies help the district bridge the gap between what the state pays and what a Hockinson education costs, which is typically 10-15% of total costs. For more information, check out our By the Numbers.

Is this a replacement levy?

Yes. We are currently paying an Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O Levy) that voters approved in February 2022. This levy will expire at the end of 2026. When it was approved, the estimated rate was $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2022. However, due to rising property values, the actual levy rate has dropped below $1.89 each year since — and it has remained below that original rate throughout the current four-year levy cycle.

This replacement levy is just that a replacement and calculated at $1.89 per $1,000 assessed value and will decrease in the following years starting at $1.89 in 2027, $1.80 in 2028, $1.72 in 2029 amd $1.63 in 2030. For more information check out By the Numbers.

Our Levy in Action

What programs will this levy fund in our HSD schools in the upcoming year(s)?

Special Education

Student transportation

Building maintenance and cleaning

School safety, security and health services

Instructional technology

Athletics

Extracurricular programs such as band, theater, clubs and activities

What programs in HSD - specifically - will be cut if this levy is not approved?

This would fall under the “To Be Determined” category:

Ultimately, this would be a School Board decision, but these are the positions and services that could be reduced or eliminated:

HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY - Leads to the reduction

• Reduction of security staff

• Reduction of recess aides

• Reduction in nursing support

• Reduced facilities and field management—fewer custodians and grounds staff will mean a decline in cleanliness and maintenance

TEACHING & LEARNING

• Larger class sizes—fewer staff members • Loss of specialists and their expertise

• Fewer support staff—less assistance available for technology, school offices and more

• Cuts from general education to reallocate funds for state-mandated programs

• Special Education

• Transportation

• Falling behind with instructional technology, which impacts student learning today and makes replacement more expensive in the future.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

• Reduction in building cleanliness, routine maintenance and upkeep.

EXTRACURRICULARS

• Loss of music, theater and academic extracurricular funding—fewer opportunities for skill development and community-building for the hundreds of students who participate each year

• Loss of athletics funding—fewer opportunities for the hundreds of student-athletes who participate over the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Is there a chance that HSD will be absorbed into a neighboring school district if we continue to fail to meet budget requirements?

Yes. Like any home or business budget, a school district cannot continue to operate if its costs exceed its revenues. This scenario would also depend on other school districts’ interest in taking on HSD operations.

By the Numbers

What is the current levy amount/what is the new levy amount that we’re asking for?

CURRENT LEVY AMOUNT

The 2022 Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy Rate was $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value — the second-lowest among Clark County school districts.

Although Hockinson School District could have collected more under voter authorization, it chose to honor the $1.89 rate. As assessed values increased, the actual rate decreased to approximately $1.68 per $1,000.

In recent years, the District has made budget reductions to stay within available revenues. However, these cuts have led to unsustainable operating levels that make it difficult to fully meet the needs and expectations of Hockinson students and the broader community.

Local levies are a critical funding source, accounting for about 11% of Hockinson’s total budget. Levy dollars help bridge the gap between what the State of Washington provides and the actual cost of running schools, supporting essential staff, programs, and services not fully funded by the state.

PROPOSED REPLACEMENT LEVY

The proposed four-year EP&O Levy would have a regression rate starting at of $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value and decreasing to $1.63 in 2030.

If approved by voters, this levy would collect:

$6,100,000 in 2027

$6,400,000 in 2028

$6,700,000 in 2029

$7,000,000 in 2030

As in the prior Levey a four-year EP&O levy is designed to maintain a steady rate, not a fixed total collection amount.
Collection amounts rise in line with assessed value growth to keep pace with inflation and educational costs. If property values increase faster than expected, the rate may decrease. If property values grow slower than projected, the rate may adjust upward to meet but not exceed the voter approved collection.

When will this levy expire/what is the length of the term?

The current levy expires Dec. 31, 2026. The length of the replacement levy is a four-year term that would begin in 2027 and run through 2031. By not pursuing a longer term, it allows the district to re-evaluate its needs and operate as efficiently as possible.

Why can’t the district operate within its current budget and make the necessary adjustments to remain at the same rate as the previous levy?

The replacement levy has been calculated at $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rate was determined by the following process:

A district calculated amount needed to operate based on district wide assessed value.
That amount is calculated over the levy length in years with adjustment added and does not change until the next Levy vote.
The Clark County Assessor gave the Excess Value of all property within HSD’s boundaries. (Excess Value = Total value of all property less exemptions)
Once that information was received the rate was calculated based on needs.

From that...the district arrived at its levy rate per $1000 of home valuation.

If the Assessor’s excess value increases, the rate per $1000 gets smaller. Therefore the adverse is true, if the Assessor’s excess value decreases then the then the rate per $1000 will increase but can not exceed the levy approved amount.

DID YOU KNOW? Under current Washington law, school districts may levy up to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value (or an equivalent per-student cap) when voters approve an enrichment levy. Washington State Legislature Despite this maximum, the Hockinson School District has elected to remain significantly below the cap levying just $1.89 per $1,000. This decision reflects a conscious commitment to fiscal responsibility and needs-based funding, prioritizing only what is necessary to support students and core programs rather than maximizing revenue. Even as ESHB 2049 expands districts’ levy authority allowing larger per-pupil levy limits and gradually increasing levy caps to accommodate inflation and future needs Hockinson continues to demonstrate restraint.

In general, the amount requested by school districts increases from levy to levy because the cost of operating schools continues to rise. Labor, utilities, insurance, and materials have all become significantly more expensive in recent years — with insurance and materials costs increasing sharply over the past three years.

Despite these pressures, the Hockinson School District has worked to control spending and limit levy increases, making reductions in programs and staff for three consecutive years in order to balance the budget.

If voters do not approve this replacement levy, the district’s annual budget would decrease by more than 13%, resulting in further reductions to programs and staffing that directly impact students. See "What's at Stake" below for more clarity.

How much does HSD need to ‘bridge the gap’ between state funds and what we need to meet current operating costs? Will this levy bridge those gaps entirely?

The gap between Hockinson School District’s needs and state funding can be measured in several ways — including the annual reductions the district has made to balance its budget, as well as the deferred costs of programs and services that remain unfunded.

Understanding that the Hockinson community values both quality and fiscal responsibility, this replacement levy reflects a thoughtful balance between the two.

The proposed levy amount is designed to bridge the gap between what the state provides and what it actually costs to operate our schools — and nothing more.

Where can I find information regarding the district budget and finances?

The information below regarding the Hockinson School District budget and financial information can be found on the HSD website via the Departments tab, using the drop down menu and click on "Business Services.' Click here to view.

Financial Information

2019-2020 End of the Year Financial Report Presentation

2019-2020 Financial Statements

2024-2025 Budget Hearing Presentation June 10, 2024

2025-2026 Enrollment and Budget Plan Summary (F195F)

2025-2026 Hockinson School District F-195 Budget)

Prior years budget documents (F195) and financial statements (F196) can be found at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website, under Finance & iGrants/School Apportionment and Financial Services/Reports.

Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Report Hockinson School District No. 98

Purchasing Power

Why is purchasing power so important?

A school district can lose purchasing power when the money it has to spend doesn’t go as far as it used to.

This usually happens for a mix of reasons:

Inflation

When the costs of goods and services (supplies, fuel, utilities, construction, food, salaries) rise faster than the district’s revenue, each dollar buys less. Example: If the cost of student meals goes up 10%, but the district’s budget for food only increases 2%, they can buy fewer meals with the same money.

Flat or Slow-Growing Revenue

If funding sources like state allocations, federal aid, or local levy dollars don’t keep pace with inflation, the district’s budget stays the same while costs rise. Many school funding formulas lag behind actual cost-of-living increases.

Fixed Costs Growing Faster than Revenue

Salaries, healthcare, retirement contributions, and insurance often rise more quickly than new funding.Since staffing is the largest portion of school budgets, increases here can squeeze out spending power elsewhere.

Declining Enrollment

In many states, funding is tied to student headcount. Fewer students mean less revenue, even though many costs (buildings, utilities, buses, staff ratios) don’t decrease at the same rate.

Unfunded Mandates

States or the federal government sometimes require new programs, technology, or services without providing matching funding, forcing districts to stretch their dollars thinner.

Debt Service and Long-Term Obligations

Payments on bonds, loans, or pension obligations may rise over time, reducing the share of the budget available for daily operations.

In short: A district loses purchasing power when rising costs outpace revenue growth. Even if the budget looks stable “on paper,” it can afford fewer teachers, supplies, and services than before.

Whats at Stake

What's at Stake

What programs in HSD - specifically - will be at stake if this levy is not approved?

1. Major Budget Losses

13% of the district’s operating budget disappears immediately.
Loss of $2.2 million in Local Effort Assistance (LEA) from the state — ONLY given if the levy passes.
Forced cuts begin the day the levy fails, because budgets must be balanced by law.

3. Academic Programs Eliminated or Downsized

Advanced Placement (AP) offerings
Honors/accelerated classes
Elective choices in high school and middle school
Reduced access to intervention for struggling students.
Elimination of tutoring or after-school academic help.

5. Technology Losses

Levy funding covers all technology beyond the state's bare minimum.

Without it:

Device replacement cycles freeze → outdated Chromebooks.
Fewer tech support staff (already minimal).
Classroom technology stops being replaced.
Software subscriptions (learning tools, safety tools) eliminated.

Slower network upgrades such as Wi-Fi and learning systems.

7. School Safety & Security Not funded by "basic ed" — covered by the levy.

Losses include:

Fewer safety personnel.

Reduced emergency preparedness resources.

Cuts to communication systems and supervision coverage.

Delayed security upgrades (cameras, access control, radios).

9. District Communications & Parent Engagement Levy helps fund:

Communications staffing.
Website maintenance.
Rapid notification systems for emergencies.
Community outreach and translation services.
A failure reduces transparency and timely parent communication.

11. Decline in Student Opportunities and Experience Without levy support, students lose:

Small class sizes
Enrichment opportunities
Extracurricular engagement
College-readiness pathways
Middle school to high school continuity
Elementary specials (music, art, STEM, PE frequency)

This is what makes Hockinson more than a basic

ed district.

13. Cuts to Mental Health & Counseling Services

Levy dollars help fund:

Counselors
Social-emotional learning supports
Crisis-response systems

A failure means:

Fewer counselors → higher caseloads.
Reduced student check-ins.
Less support for trauma, anxiety, and behavior interventions.

2. Staff Reductions (Largest Area of Cuts) - Funding for 1 in 7 employees comes from the levy.

Programs most at risk include:

Reduction in teachers → larger class sizes, fewer individual supports.
Fewer paraeducators, including SPED support paras, impacting safety and learning.
Loss of reading and math intervention specialists.
School nurses eliminated or reduced to rotating coverage.
Counselors and mental-health supports cut — already stretched thin.
Safety and security staff reductions.
Communications/tech staffing cuts (district already operates bare-bones).

4. Arts, Music, & Performance Programs

These programs exist almost entirely because of levy funding:

Band program staffing reduced (Hockinson is known for its band strength).
Choir and music programs reduced.
Elementary music teacher reductions → fewer music days per week.
Art classes scaled back (especially elementary art).
Drama/theater productions reduced or eliminated.
For a small district like Hockinson, losing just one music, art, or performance teacher dramatically shrinks offerings.

6. Athletics & Extracurricular Activities

Levy dollars support all sports and clubs beyond what basic education covers.

The following are at risk of being reduced, pay-to-play increased, or program eliminated:

Middle school sports (often the first to go statewide).
High school athletics programs with low participation may be cut.
Coaching stipends reduced → fewer coaches → fewer teams.
Activity buses eliminated, making sports inaccessible for many.
Clubs and extracurriculars like:
- Robotics Esports DECA FBLA Knowledge Bowl
- Yearbook National Honor Society Outdoor school support

Athletics and activities are major community identity pieces — these are levy dependent.

8. Transportation Impacts

The state funds only basic to-and-from school transportation. The levy currently covers:

Activity buses (sports, clubs, competitions).
Field trip transportation.
Extra routes to manage overcrowding.
Replacement/repair of aging buses not covered by state formula.
If the levy fails:
No activity buses.
Fewer field trips.
Slower response to breakdowns.

Larger walking zones or combined routes → longer rides.

10. Support for Students With Disabilities (SPED)SPED is dramatically underfunded by the state. Levy dollars fill the gap.

Without the levy:

Fewer paraeducators.
Reduced behavioral support staffing.
Increased caseloads for special educators.
Longer waits for evaluations and services.
Greater safety concerns for high-needs students.
For families relying on SPED support, this is the largest direct impact.

12. Loss of Community Events, Traditions & Pride Without staffing and funding, major traditions are at risk:

Performing arts events
Parent engagement nights
Pep band participation
Athletic showcases
Veteran’s Day assemblies
Community volunteer events
Elementary family nights

The culture of Hockinson — tight-knit, highly engaged — weakens.

14. Negative Impacts on Property Values & Community Reputation

Strong schools → higher home values.

Underfunded schools → decreased demand.

Historically in WA districts:

Levy failures trigger immediate downturns in desirability.
Realtors actively warn buyers about failing levies.
Future levies and bonds become harder to pass after one failure.

For Hockinson — where families move because of the schools — this is huge.

Is there a chance that HSD will be absorbed into a neighboring school district if we continue to fail to meet budget requirements?

Yes — but only under extreme circumstances. Like any home or business, a school district cannot continue operating long-term if its costs exceed its revenues. If Hockinson were ever to become financially insolvent and unable to meet state-required education standards, the state could initiate a process to dissolve the district and annex our students and community into a neighboring school district.

If that happened:

Homeowners could face higher taxes if the receiving district’s levy rates are higher than Hockinson’s.

Our community would lose local representation — decisions about budgets, staffing, programs, and policies would be made by another district’s elected school board.

Local identity and priorities could be diluted, and traditions that make Hockinson unique may not be maintained within a larger district’s governance.

While the HSD is not here today, it becomes more possible if ongoing budget challenges are not addressed and bonds and levies conitnue to fail with no community and district support. Maintaining a stable, community-funded levy helps ensure Hockinson remains a strong, independent school district with local control and local values at the center of every decision.

Funding Facts

Ack! I just got my property assessment, this means the amount of money I pay for the levy is going to jump through the roof too! Right?

Not so fast! You need to understand how the levy actually works. The school district calculated a set dollar amount needed to keep our three schools running with proper staffing, technology, safety, transportation, and student activities — things the state does not include in its narrow definition of “basic education.”

The HSD board determined the district will need approximately $6.1 million in 2027, $6.4 million in 2028, $6.7 million in 2029, and $7.0 million in 2030 to continue operating at a level that fully supports our students. The amount each homeowner pays is based on the assessed value of their home, and from this, the replacement levy rate was calculated on a declining scale starting at $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Now, imagine it’s 2026 and your home’s assessed value skyrocketed. Sounds like you might pay more into the levy, right?

Wrong. The levy’s total dollar “ask” remains fixed over the four-year period. This means your rate per $1,000 of assessed value could actually go down, even if your home’s value rises, because the total levy amount the district collects doesn’t change. It’s still the same four-year total.

For context, the 2022 EP&O Levy rate was $1.89 per $1,000, the second-lowest in Clark County. Hockinson could have collected more, but chose to honor a lower rate.

Monthly Cost to Homeowners: (Assessed home value)÷ 1000 x 1.89 ÷ 12 = monthly cost in 2027

If the proposed levy is approved, the estimated local school tax cost for the owner of a $800,000 home in Hockinson is about $35 less per month in 2027 compared to 2025. This is because the payment on the Hockinson Middle School bonds step down in 2026.

The remaining bonds were refinanced at a lower rate this summer, saving taxpayers approx $1.3 million in interest payments over the bonds' final 10 years. Read more here.

Even at $1.89 per $1,000, Hockinson School District’s total school tax rate is the second lowest out of all nine K-12 school districts in Clark County

What percentage of the total HSD budget comes from the levy?

The levy accounts for approximately 13% of Hockinson's total budget. In 2020-21, it provided $2,685,783 for essential student programs and services. As a property-poor school district, the HSD also received $476,150 in levy equalization from the state.

What percentage of the total HSD budget comes from State funding?

In 2024-2025, State funding accounted for approximately 87% of the HSD annual budget.

Does the Hockinson School District receive federal funding?

Yes. But the amount the HSD receives is considerably less when compared to other local school districts as this funding is tied to such qualifying factors as Free & Reduced Lunch participation. In 2020-21, federal funding accounted for 8% of the HSD annual budget.

The McCleary Decision was supposed to 'fix' our funding, right?

The McCleary Decision required the state to increase funding for public schools to meet its constitutional obligation to fully fund basic education. While this resulted in additional state funding, it did not fully cover all school programs, such as Special Education, or the rising costs associated with operating schools. At the same time, school districts have faced significant increases in expenses—such as salaries, benefits, transportation, and technology—which have offset much of the additional funding provided by the state.

Does the money provided as part of this levy directly fund teacher salaries?

Levy dollars will fund the salaries of special education teachers.

Time to Vote

When will ballots be mailed out?

Ballots will be mailed out January 23, 2026

When do I need to submit my ballot?

All ballots need to be submitted by Monday February 10, 2026.

How can I cast my ballot?

BY MAIL: Washington State votes by mail. To receive a ballot based on the jurisdictions you reside in, your residence address and mailing address, if different than your residential address, must be current.

If you are temporarily away, such as serving in the military, attending college, or spending the winter in another state, but Clark County is your home of permanent residence, you can request that your ballot is mailed to where you currently reside. Please make your request at least 30 days before Election Day to allow the ballot to arrive at your mailing address on time.

Clark County Elections Office (1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver), available from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day.

VISIT A LOCAL BALLOT DROP BOX: Return your voted ballot to one of the 22 red permanent ballot drop boxes, available 24 hours a day starting 18 days before an election until 8 pm on Election Day.

There's a ballot drop box located in the parking lot of the Hockinson Community Center (old Hockinson Middle School). It's so simple to drive through and drop off!

Who can vote on these school levies?

Registered voters living within the boundaries of Hockinson School District may vote on the district’s 2026 levy.

What percentage of 'yes' votes is required for approval of the levy?

A 50 percent majority of “yes” votes plus one is required to approve the school district levy measure.

I'm on a fixed income. I want to support Hockinson students, but I can't afford another tax increase! What programs are offered for Tax Relief for senior citizens, disabled persons, etc.?

Some seniors and disabled homeowners may be eligible for a property tax exemption based on income. Please contact the Clark County Assessor’s Office at (360) 397-2391 or taxreduction@clark.wa.gov. Online: https://clark.wa.gov/assessor/property-tax-relief-programs.