Educational Programs & Operations Renewal Levy 2021
- Districts may choose to run a levy no more than twice per calendar year. Approval to run a levy comes from the Board of Directors. Our school board has not yet discussed future levies.
- The Board voted to maintain the current levy of $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value– it is not a new tax, rather a renewal of the current expiring tax.
- If the levy passes, the district receives matching funds from the state for three years. Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% +1)
- The first elementary school (Groff) has been completed with a Grand Opening on September 7, 2021.
- The second high school will be complete next year, to open Fall 2022.
- The second elementary school TBD.
- MLHS renovations also TBD.


Essential Staff Nurses, counselors, librarians, substitutes, behavior specialists, resources officers, security officers, technology support, Boys & Girls Club staffing, paraeducators, bus drivers, PE teachers, IT staff

Athletics & Programs Musical instruments, clubs, community swimming pool use, 5th grade swimming/water safety program, library, K–8 art and music, PE programs, on-time graduation, highly capable programs, school sports and athletics

Equipment & SuppliesTextbooks, technology, 1:1 Initiative program, transportation and buses, operational expenses, safety and security programs, ongoing maintenance of facilities, Boys & Girls Club school sites (five), Boys & Girls Club transportation
Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, levies bridge the gap in this funding and allow us to provide things like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds. If the levy fails....
- MLSD will need to make about $7 million in budget cuts from levy-supported staff and programs this year.
- MLSD will lose state matching funds resulting in about a $15 million budget reduction from levy-supported staff and programs for the next three years.
- Students lose opportunities for educational enrichment that contribute to their success in school and in life.
Examples of Funding Shortfalls:
If approved, the three-year $7-$8.1 million renewal levy will continue the current $1.50 rate per $1000 assessed property value that was previously approved by taxpayers. This is not a new tax, but a continuation of the current tax rate.
The levy amount increases 5-8% each year to account for property value increases, but the rate is projected to state the same at $1.50:
COLLECTION YEAR |
LEVY RATE PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUE
|
LEVY AMOUNT |
---|---|---|
2021 (current) | $1.50 | $6,952,565 |
2022 | $1.50 | $7,093,914 |
2023 | $1.50 | $7,661,427 |
2024 | $1.50 | $8,121,113 |
What is the difference between a LEVY and a BOND?
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%).
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- or simply the continuation of an existing tax.
Why is the proposed levy described as a "renewal levy"?
The Washington Constitution limits EP&O levies to a period not to exceed 4 years. Moses Lake's levy funds are collected over a three-year time period and must be renewed (similar to a magazine subscription). A Renewal Levy or Replacement Levy asks voters to replace an existing levy that is scheduled to expire.
The District’s proposed 3-year EP&O levy will replace the prior levy approved by the voters in 2018 and set to expire in 2021.
What is a levy rate?
If approved, the three-year $7–$8.1 million levy will continue the $1.50 rate per $1,000 assessed property value that was previously approved by taxpayers. The levy amount increases 3% each year to account for property value increases but the rate is projected to stay the same at $1.50.
See the following table:
COLLECTION YEAR |
LEVY RATE PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUE
|
LEVY AMOUNT |
---|---|---|
2021 (current) | $1.50 | $6,952,565 |
2022 | $1.50 | $7,093,914 |
2023 | $1.50 | $7,661,427 |
2024 | $1.50 | $8,121,113 |
"But we still don't have a new high school?"
Not all students were learning on campus this past year – so why do we need the levy?
How many votes are necessary to pass the renewal levy?
How do I vote?