Educational Programs & Operations Levy 2024
April 23, 2024 – Unfortunately, it appears the renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy fell short of the votes needed to pass.
The state does not fully fund K-12 education. School districts like Moses Lake rely on local voter-approved levies to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what our students need.
This levy would have continued funding for the safety and health of students and schools, including funding for school resource officers, nurses, counselors and librarians. The levy also would have continued funding for maintenance of school buildings and student opportunities, like arts, music, theater and athletics, which the state does not fund.
We will work with our staff to determine next steps in how to move forward with our budget, given the loss of these funds. We cannot re-run this levy until 2025.
A huge thank you to the staff, families and community who attended meetings, asked questions, took our survey and provided feedback on our levy request. We will continue to focus our efforts and dedication to the success and wellbeing of all our students.
- 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.
- The Board voted to replace the current levy with $2.00 per $1,000 assessed value.
- If the levy passes, the district receives matching funds from the state for two years. Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% +1)
If approved, the two-year levy will be a $2.00 rate per $1000 assessed property value. The total collection amount being proposed for the Levy is $34.7 million, which will be collected over a two-year period: $15,786,724 in 2025 and $18,944,069 in 2026. We cannot collect more than the total collection amount proposed.
Essential Staff for Safe Schools Nurses, counselors, librarians, substitutes, behavior specialists, resources officers, security officers, technology support, paraeducators, bus drivers, IT staff
Programs & Opportunities for Students and the Community Musical instruments, clubs, community swimming pool use, 5th grade swimming/water safety program, library, K–8 art and music, PE equipment, on-time graduation, highly capable programs, school sports, and athletics
Equipment & Maintenance for Safer Schools Textbooks, technology, 1:1 Initiative program (Chromebooks), transportation and buses, operational expenses, safety and security programs, ongoing maintenance of facilities
|
LEVY FUNDED JOBS in MLSD |
# Funded by State (23-24) |
# Employed by MLSD (23-24) |
SHORTFALL |
|
Security & SROs |
1.61 |
9.88 |
8.27 |
|
Nurses |
8.33 |
11 |
2.7 |
|
Counselors |
25.64 |
30.81 |
5.2 |
|
Tech Support |
4.82 |
16 |
11.2 |
|
Psychologists |
1.01 |
12.62 |
11.6 |
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). The 2021 three-year levy with a rate of $1.50 per $1000 assessed tax is set to expire in 2024. The 2024 two-year levy is proposed at $2.00 per $1,000 assessed tax.
What would I pay?
Where does Moses Lake School District receive funding from?
Our revenue comes from three main sources:
STATE Our primary source of revenue is from the state. The state allocates school funds based on the number of students we have and other considerations.
FEDERAL We also receive general fund revenue from the federal government. Most of those dollars can only be used for specific programs, such as special education or extra help for students from low-income families.
LOCAL We currently receive revenue from local property taxes in the form of a school levy. This levy plays a crucial role in providing our students with a comprehensive and high-quality education. It helps cover expenses that the state doesn't fully fund, including activities, athletics, arts, music, libraries, safety, and security.
Here are the revenue sources for the 2023–2024 school year:
Below are approximate visual graphics of the
How many votes are necessary to pass the proposed levy?
What if the levy doesn't pass?
When is the election?
Ballots must be postmarked by this date if mailed or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on election day.
Where do I register to vote or check my voter registration?
Start your online registration on Washington’s election website. You can also register to vote by mail or in person on Washington’s election website.
You can confirm your voter registration status on Washington’s election website.
If I don't want to mail in my ballot, where can I drop it off?
You can drop off your ballot at the following ballot drop box location in Moses Lake:
- 321 Balsam St., Moses Lake (drive through at the back just before city payment drop box)
When are voter registration deadlines?
- Online registration deadline: 8 days before Election Day
- Mail in registration deadline: Must be received 8 days before Election Day
- In-person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day
Who can register to vote?
To register to vote in Washington, you must be:
- A citizen of the United States
- A legal resident of Washington state for at least 30 days before election day
- At least 18 years old by election day
- Not disqualified from voting due to a court order
- Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction
- Not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction
To register online, you will need:
- A current Washington State driver license, or
- A current Washington State ID card
Can students register to vote?
16 and 17-year-olds can now pre-register to vote!
Registrants under 18 will have their registrations held until they become eligible to vote.
Beginning in 2022, 17-year-olds who are pre-registered to vote will be able to vote in the August Primary Election and Presidential Primaries as long as they turn 18 before the following November General Election. Reference RCW 29A.08.210
Can I receive a tax exemption?
Senior Citizen & People With Disabilities may qualify for an exemption from all or part of your property tax on your residence in Grant County if you meet specific requirements. For details, visit the Grant County Auditors website.
On Monday, March 25, Moses Lake School District hosted a community forum to share information and answer questions about the upcoming Educational Programs & Operations Levy on the April 23, 2024 special election ballot.
🎥 Watch a recording of the forum here.
LEVY FEEDBACK SURVEY – RESULTS
Below are the results from the community survey issued to staff, families and community members March 13–21, 2024