Wapato School District

Funding for education in the Washington State is complicated and can lead to questions about how schools receive the money needed to operate. The state is required to supply school districts with state funding for “basic education” which is based on what is known as a “prototypical funding model”.  The prototypical model represents the State Legislature’s assumption of what resources are required to provide the “basic education”.

Unfortunately, when the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual costs to operate a school district, districts often utilize local funding through levies and bonds to bridge the gap. This local funding allows school districts to provide the programs, staff and facilities communities rely on, which allows students to grow and thrive.

The Difference Between a Levy and Bond

Levies are for Learning                                                                                                                                            

A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of “basic education.”

Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1)

Bonds are for Building

A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years.

Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%)