Local levies, bonds, and capital levies remain significant funding sources for public schools.

Seven school districts in Clark County will have school funding measures on the February 11, 2025, ballot. State and federal dollars do not fully fund the true cost of maintaining student programs, staffing levels, and school facilities. As a result, school districts propose funding measures to voters to maintain student programs and improve school facilities. Levies and bonds supplement school funding where state and federal funding falls short. In Washington state, 285 out of 295 school districts have enrichment levies. This is 96.6% of school districts in our state.

School Levies

There are two types of school levies on the February 11 ballot: EP&O levies and capital levies. School districts may place one or both on a ballot for voter consideration.

EP&O Levies

Education Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies fund school programs and services not fully covered by state or federal funding. EP&O levies support day-to-day school operations, including staffing (above the state allocation), extracurricular activities, special education programs, and basic maintenance of school facilities, among other things. EP&O levies fill the gap between state funding and the actual cost of running schools. EP&O levies require a 50% +1 simple majority to pass.

February EP&O Levies in Clark County
  • Battle Ground Public Schools: 4-year EP&O levy would fund programs that aren’t fully funded by the state, including security staff, instructional/support staff, curriculum, nursing, mental health support, special education, busing, sports (including middle school sports), and the arts.
  • Ridgefield School District: 3-year replacement EP&O levy would fund athletics, student clubs and activities, Cispus Outdoor School, the Family Resource Center, school supplies, Early Learning services, Special Education services, staff professional development, enhanced curriculum and courses, and more.
  • Evergreen Public Schools: 4-year replacement EP&O levy would continue to support teachers, principals, counselors, coaches, safety & security, school support staff including secretaries, paraeducators, extracurricular activities including athletics, orchestra, band, choir, theater, field trips, and more if approved. The EP&O levy would also continue support for special education teachers and paraeducators, multilingual learners, highly capable programs, smaller class sizes, curriculum, textbooks, and professional development.
  • Mt. Pleasant School: 3-year replacement EP&O Levy would continue funding for student enrichment programs, educational services, staff positions, and facility maintenance not funded, or underfunded by the state, including: art, music, drama, outdoor environmental education, and teacher training and professional development.
  • La Center School District: 3-year replacement levy to fund educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the State (including smaller class sizes, advanced courses, technology, rising maintenance costs, extracurricular activities, transportation, special education, and student safety

Capital Levies

Capital levies are used to fund smaller-scale facility projects and improvements that don’t require the long-term borrowing of a bond. These levies may fund technology upgrades, safety improvements, facility repairs, and deferred maintenance. Capital levies are typically approved by voters for a specific duration and purpose, allowing districts to address immediate or ongoing infrastructure needs. Sometimes, capital levies can fund a portion of school construction projects when pre-construction work has already been completed. Capital levies require a 50% +1 simple majority to pass.

  • Vancouver Public Schools: 6-year replacement capital levy would fund technology, safety, and capital projects.
  • Ridgefield School District: 3-year Capital Facilities/Technology levy, combined with the use of existing development impact fees and state matching funds, would construct a new elementary school, complete overdue deferred maintenance projects at South Ridge and Union Ridge elementary schools, and restore the district’s annual technology budget that was cut due to budget constraints.
  • Evergreen Public Schools: 4-year Replacement Safety, Security and Technology Capital (SSTC) levy would continue funding for student and staff devices, school audio-visual equipment, network infrastructure, technology staff, ParentSquare communication service, online curriculum, school communication systems, internet services, emergency response systems, cyber security, and internet safety software if approved.

School Bonds

Bonds fund major construction or facility improvement projects. Bonds can fund new school construction or major updates to existing schools. Similar to a mortgage, bonds are repaid over time through property taxes. Bonds are used for tangible projects that enhance the physical learning environment. Unlike levies, bonds require a 60% +1 supermajority to pass.

  • Hockinson School District: Bond measure would fund the building of a second elementary school in Hockinson to reduce overcrowding. At the existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School campus, funding would improve traffic flow, reduce the use of portable classrooms, and install automatic lockdown capabilities. If approved, the bond would also allow the district to update safety and security at all schools, create a high school career and technical education facility, and replace the high school track while improving outdoor facilities for student and community use.

For more general information on levies, capital levies, and bonds review: www.esd112.org/bond-levy/.