2022 Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy

  • Levy GraphicWhen is Grandview’s levy election?

    The election is Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Ballots are mailed to school district voters on approximately April 8.

    What you need to know about the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy:

    • Tax rate drops to $1.64 (from $1.67) per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023.
    • Replaces the current Educational Programs and Operations Levy set to expire at the end of 2022. (The 2023-2026 levy is not a new tax.)
    • Supports programs and services not covered by state basic education funding.

    Levy funds bridge the gap between state and federal funding and what it actually costs to run a school district. For example, levy funds pay for the enhancement of:
         - Health & Safety: School resource officers, security officers and nurses.
         - Student Learning & Staffing: Advanced Placement, Highly Capable, professional development & training, substitute teachers, special education support, additional technology support, field trips to supplement student learning, breakfast and lunch support.
         - Instructional Support: Secretaries, para-educators & curriculum.
         - Athletics & activities: School athletics, coaches, advisors, extracurricular activities, competitions, fine arts and transportation.
         - Operations & Maintenance: Custodians, grounds & maintenance workers, building maintenance, equipment, supplies, utilities, fuel, vehicles & maintenance.

    Just remember, levies are for learning and bonds are for building.

    Why does GSD need an Educational Programs & Operations Levy?

    The State does not fully fund school district operations and programs, and local districts must make up the shortfall through school levies. It is important to remember that this is a REPLACEMENT levy, it is not a new tax.

    If Grandview’s four-year replacement levy passes, the school district would qualify for state matching dollars called Levy Equalization Assistance funds. Currently, Grandview receives approximately $2 in Levy Equalization Assistance funds from the state for each $1 that is raised locally.  Currently levy and Levy Equalization Assistance funds account for approximately 9% of the District’s annual operation budget. The levy must be approved before the school district receives state matching funds.

    Can senior citizens be exempt from all or part of levy taxes?

    Yes. Many senior citizens are exempt from all or part of levy and bond assessments. You may contact the Yakima County Assessor’s Office at (509) 574-1100 for more information.

     

    Current Levy Rate (2022)                                                            Proposed Levy Rate (2023-2026)

    $1.67 per $1,000 of assessed value                                             $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value

    Estimated annual cost on a $100,000 home                           Estimated annual cost on a $100,000 home
    is $167                                                                                              is $164

     

Announcements

  • We want to let our community know that we have levy news to share. First, we want to thank everyone who voted in the February Replacement Education Programs and Operations levy election. Unfortunately, the measure did not pass. What that means, is the district has just one more chance to put the measure to voters this year.

    On Feb. 22, our Grandview School Board voted to bring our Replacement Education Programs and Operations Levy back to voters on the April 26 ballot. And we want to work hard to share information about the levy with the community.

    We have created a replacement levy website. You can find information about the levy, answers to frequently asked questions and information on our brand-new Levy Stamp. You can find all of this at www.gsd200.org/levy.

    As you look through that information there a few important things to remember. First, is that we are not asking voters for a new tax. The Replacement Education Programs and Operations Levy is just that – a replacement. Our current levy is set to come off the books at the end of 2022 and this new levy would replace it and run from 2023-2026.

    Another important piece, is what levy funds cover. Money raised by the levy helps to support programs and service not entirely covered by state basic education funding. That includes things ranging from athletics and coaches to building and vehicle maintenance to things like the Advanced Placement and Highly Capable programs. It also helps support additional technology, field trips, extracurricular activities and our school resource officer.

    Another thing to note, is that the replacement levy proposition looks a little different this time around. We did listen and we made a major change. That change is in the levy rate.

    Originally, the district was asking for a proposed levy rate of $1.73 per $1,000 of assessed value, which would increase to $1.96 per $1,000 of assessed value by 2026. Our new proposition is asking for a levy rate of $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value every year of the four-year levy. That is less than the $1.67 per $1,000 of assessed value that being paid now.

    The money raised by the levy, including Levy Equalization Funds, make up more than nine percent of the district’s budget. Levy Equalization Funds are state matching dollars. Currently, Grandview receives approximately $2 in Levy Equalization Funds from the state for each $1 the levy raises locally. The levy must be approved before the district receives state matching funds.

    We are also excited to introduce our new Levy Stamp. We have created a graphic that we will be adding to our social media posts when we post about things that are levy supported. We want our community to see their dollars at work. Be sure to watch for the Levy Stamp throughout the year.
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