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Election Day is February 10, 2026

In 2026, our district will have replacements of both our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy and our Technology Capital Levy on the ballot.

These are replacement levies ... not new taxes

Both the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and Technology Capital Levy are replacements of expiring measures. They are not new taxes.

  • Both levies are at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022.
  • The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
  • The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.
  • Our community has consistently supported these levies, the Tech Levy since 2014 and the EP&O for decades.
  • Election Day is February 10, 2026. Are you registered to vote?

Educational Programs and Operations Levy

Our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy was last renewed in 2022. It accounts for 15% of our district’s budget. Over 90% of our EP&O Levy goes towards people. This includes over 400 staff serving in positions the state underfunds, or doesn’t fund at all, including:

  • Teachers, librarians, paraeducators, counselors, social workers and nurses
  • School Resource Officers, campus safety officers, custodians, and bus drivers
  • Arts, orchestra, band, and choir programs, including teachers
  • Middle and high school athletic programs, including coaches. These programs serve more than 5,000 students each year.
  • Special education, multilingual, and early learning staff
  • JROTC Programs
  • Highly Capable programs
  • Community resources supporting our homeless students, 
  • Bethel Rec, which serves more than 6,000 students every year
  • After-school activity buses

The EP&O levy isn’t unique to Bethel. Levies are a normal form of school funding in Washington state. In fact, over 100 districts will have EP&O levies on the ballot for renewal next year. And even though we’re one of the top 15 largest school districts in Washington, there are 100 districts that actually collect more than we do for their EP&O levies!

Technology Capital Levy

For nearly a decade, every student in our district has had access to a personal iPad. Using the iPads in classrooms has improved our students' technological literacy, enhanced their opportunities for creativity, and leveled the playing field for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The devices are one of many useful tools in our teachers' toolboxes to help educate students and prepare them for a future where technology is a constant.

The Technology Capital Levy keeps classroom technology up to date, provides iPads for all students, cyber security and infrastructure. This levy funds:

  • Student iPads and other classroom devices
    • iPads are replaced every 3-4 years. We work with resellers to get the best value for the old devices, which puts millions of dollars back into our Tech Levy budget
  • Cybersecurity and data protection
  • Upgraded Wi-Fi and communication systems
  • Instructional software and digital curriculum
  • Pays for tech support staff

Local levies are an essential part of the school funding formula in Washington state

State funding is based on an outdated funding formula. All districts in Washington need to employ more teachers and staff than the formula pays for, which is why we need local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers.

Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. In 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%.

Passing our local levies allows Bethel to continue receiving Local Effort Assistance. That is more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the state that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. If local levies are not approved, not only do we lose the levy money, but we lose the LEA money as well.

Over 100 districts will have EP&O levies on the ballot for renewal next year.

Even though we’re one of the top 15 largest school districts in Washington, there are 100 districts that actually collect more than we do for their EP&O levies
 

EP&O Levy Videos

Levy supported Social Workers
Levy supported Counselors
Levy supported coaches: Football
Levy supported coaches: Bowling
Levy supported coaches: Unified Sports

Tech Levy Videos

Tech Levy: A decade of devices

Your levy dollars at work

Tech Levy dollars are keeping students safe online
Tech Levy dollars are keeping students safe online

With iPads in the classroom, research is instantly at students' fingertips, and they can work on increasingly creative, complex projects. But when students are using their devices, cybersecurity is increasingly important, and that's something else the Tech Levy pays for. 

Let’s talk about pie
Let’s talk about pie

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are very grateful for our communities' support over the years of our Educational Programs & Operations Levy and Technology Capital Levy.

Where'd you hear that?
Where'd you hear that?

In today's digital world, information travels faster than a kindergartener running to recess. Unfortunately, not all of the information you find online is accurate. Social media can be great for sharing photos, but it's not the best place to get accurate information.

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