This is not a new tax!
The Kent School District Renewal Educational Program & Operational Levy on the February 8, 2022 ballot supports teachers, nurses, safety staff, student learning, and programs across the district. Since 1984 Kent School District has operated with local levy support for education programs and operations.
When we pass school bonds and levies, we’re telling our school employees – principal and teachers, custodians and bus drivers, paraeducators and central office and education support staff – we care. Because schools are not fully funded by the state, and our yes votes make up the difference.
How well do you do in your job when you feel supported and cared for? Our children will reap the benefit of a better education when we send a message that we care. Investing in our schools is an investment in our children and in our future.
Your “Yes” vote will result in maintaining the current tax collection allowed by the district. The proposed levy is not a new tax. Instead, it renews an expiring tax that provides local funding for critical needs not covered by state and federal funding.
Your “Yes” vote approved the levy that makes up approximately 16 percent of the district’s current revenue. Our failure as citizens to approve the would mean significant reductions in staff, programs, and services for students across the district.
The renewal EP&O Levy will continue to pay for established educational programming. This includes paying for staff positions, including but not limited to:
- 130 basic education teachers not supported by state funding
- 17 nurses not supported by state funding. The state only funds 4 nurses for all 43 schools.
- arts programs, including performing arts centers that receive no state funding
- safety services staff, modernized school safety camera technology, and equipment are also levy-funded.
Tax Information
The proposed collection is $76,250,000 in 2023 and 2024. This is the same maximum amount authorized by voters in 2020. In 2023 this is approximately $1.88 per $1,000 assessed value; the combined tax rate for all school bonds and levies will remain constant at $3.83 with approval of this renewal.
In consideration of both the needs of Kent School District students and our citizen taxpayers, what is proposed for the February 8, 2022 election is a two-year “flat amount” levy. This means there would be no increase in the maximum voter-approved levy during calendar years 2023 and 2024.
The levy amounts listed below are fixed dollar amounts representing the maximum that may be raised through the levy, if approved. The approximate tax levy rate represents a good faith estimate of the actual tax rate voters will pay, based on future estimates of property values in the community, enrollment projections, and potential impacts of Washington State’s per pupil levy cap, which limits levy amounts based on student enrollment. As property values in our community rise or fall, the tax rate may increase or decrease commensurately. For a variety of reasons, it is possible the Kent School District will be unable to collect the full amount authorized during the levy period.
Collection Year Appx Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value Levy Amount 2023 $1.88 $76,250,000
2024 $1.86 $76,250,000
Renewing the Education Levy shows a commitment to our community’s kids.
Vote “Yes” on Prop. 1 – Renew the KSD Educational Program & Operations (EP&O) Levy on February 8, 2022
Questions?
If you have additional questions, more information is available on the Kent School District website.
Or you can contact the Citizens for Kent Schools Committee at voteyes@citizensforkentschools.org