How is public education funded in the state of Washington?
Education funding in the state of Washington is supported by three primary sources:
State funding for basic education
Bonds
Levies
While state funding forms the foundation, it does not fully cover the operational costs of a school district. Voter-approved bonds and levies are essential, providing the necessary funds to maintain facilities and offer enrichment programs, along with various 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.
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 and $1.63 in 2030. For more information check out By the Numbers.
Bonds are utilized to finance the construction of school facilities.
Levies provide funding for educational and logistical needs, as the State does not classify the following items and programs as part of a basic education:
Staff supporting the Special Education (SPED) program and student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Extracurricular activities, including sports, band, theater, and clubs
School librarians
School nurses
Instructional technology
Transportation (buses)
School security
Building maintenance, including upkeep, daily cleaning, and safety not covered by state or federal funding
These items may face reductions or elimination if the levy is not approved.