PASCO, Wash. – The Pasco School Board is revisiting its strategy after the district’s renewal levy failed in this month’s special election. This marks the first time in 26 years that a tax of this kind has failed in Pasco, missing approval by 59 votes.
The board has decided to rerun the levy in April. The renewal is not a new tax but maintains funding at the current rate of $2.08 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a $400,000 home, this amounts to $832 per year. The levy, along with matching funds from the state, totals approximately $50 million, which constitutes 15% of the district’s budget. This funding supports staffing, athletics, school safety and other operations.
During a recent meeting, the board compared this rate to a lower rate of $1.99, which would necessitate $2 million in cuts annually. Student representatives expressed support for maintaining the $2.08 rate.
“Our district’s mission is to fully equip all 19,000+ learners for success regardless of their background or where they come from. And that is so hard to do without having the support of our community. I’ve seen how hard our district staff work to make sure that mission is accomplished,” Noe Lima Ponce, a student board representative, said.
Vicky Alvarez Molina, another student board representative emphasized the importance of the levy.
“Supporting the students of Pasco is supporting the future of Pasco. The more we prepare the students for the future, the better Pasco will be,” Molina said.
Despite the levy, the district has already planned $4 million in budget reductions to save money. Pasco voters will decide on the renewal levy on April 28.
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