RICHLAND, Wash. – The Richland School District’s four-year Educational Programs & Operations and Capital Projects Technology Levies are up for a vote on Feb. 10 with significant implications for the district’s funding.
Voters approved these taxes in 2022, but they are set to expire at the end of this year. They are renewals, not new taxes. The district emphasizes that the levies fund programs, services and daily school operations not covered by the state.
The Educational Programs & Operations levy, which taxes $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, supports staffing, athletics, before and after-school programs, student support services and more. The Capital Projects Technology levy, taxing 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, funds digital curriculum, Chromebooks, classroom technology, and cybersecurity.
For an average home valued at $500,000, total taxes, including another current bond and levy, would exceed $2,200 annually. The district said these levy dollars are essential to cover funding gaps due to insufficient state funding for basic K-12 education, serving 13,000 students across 21 schools.
Since the 2019-2020 school year, the district has faced funding shortfalls for materials, supplies, and operating costs, totaling over $46 million. Substitute teachers have cost nearly $14 million, and special education expenses have reached $13 million.
If the levies do not pass, the district would need to cut approximately $30 million from areas directly impacting students, such as clubs, athletics, hands-on learning materials, and staffing.
The levies are on the special election ballot, due February 10.
