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Wapato School District

Preparing Students for Success in the Global Economy

2026 EP&O Levy Proposal

Thank You Voters!

LEVY ELECTION UPDATE: 2-20-26 at 8.25 a.m.

The Yakima County Auditors Office has certified the results of the February 10, 2026 Special Election.  The District’s Educational Programs & Operation (EP&O) Replacement Levy passed with a 57.49% YES vote. Thank you Wapato School District voters! We very much appreciate your continued support of Wapato students.

2026 Educational Programs & Operation (EP&O) Replacement Levy Proposal

Thank you for your interest in Wapato Public Schools 2026 Educational Programs & Operation (EP&O) Replacement Levy. 

 

On February 10, 2026 voters in the Wapato School District will be asked to approve the 4-year Educational Programs and Operation (EP&O) Replacement Levy seen below.  The proposed levy is not a new tax.  If approved it would simply renew and replace the existing EP&O Levy that voters approved in February 2022.  The existing levy expires on December 31, 2026.  The proposed replacement levy collection would start in January 2027 and remain in place through December 2030.

 

PROPOSAL

 

Collection Year EP&O Levy Amount Estimated Levy Rate Per $1,000 of Property Value
2027 $2.15-million $1.53 
2028 $2.30-million $1.53
2029 $2.40-million $1.52
2030 $2.55-million $1.54

 

Please note in the proposal outlined above, the rate per $1,000 of assessed value that property owners would pay is estimated to remain at an average of $1.53 each of the four collection years, even though the Levy Amount increases each year.  This is the result of projected increases in the total assessed value of all taxable properties within the Wapato School District boundaries.  

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EXAMPLE: Estimated Homeowner Cost Per Month

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At an average rate of $1.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value, here is an example of the estimated per month cost for a homeowner whose property is assessed at a value of $300,000.    

 

 Assessed Home Value $300,000
 Estimated Levy Rate per $1,000 $1.53
 Estimated Monthly Cost $38.25

 

Some senior and disabled homeowners may be eligible for a property tax exemption, based on income. For details call the Yakima County Assessor’s Office at (509) 574-1100 or visit the Yakima County Assessor’s Office webpage.

What the Replacement Levy Pays For:

The District relies on levy dollars to help pay for staff, programs and services the State does not fund or underfunds.  The list below gives an idea of how levy dollars in the District are spent. (not a comprehensive list)

  • Teachers & Other Staff
  • Safety & Security
  • Athletics, Clubs, Activities
  • Counselors
  • Nurses - Student Healthcare
  • Textbooks & Teaching Materials
  • Early Learning Activities
  • Playground Equipment
  • Transportation (buses, fuel, maintenance)
  • Technology for Classroom Instruction
  • Day-to Day Operations (custodians, maintenance, etc.)
  • Insurance Costs

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  • Safety & Security

    The District employs 6 full time security personnel at a cost of $385,000 a year. State funding only pays $31,000. Levy dollars cover the difference.

  • Teachers/Staff

    Levy dollars help fund essential staff, like teachers and other support staff, that the State's basic funding does not fully cover.

  • Student Healthcare

    The District's annual student healthcare services cost $454,000. The state only pays about $321,000. Levy dollars cover the remaining $132,000.

  • Athletics

    100% of the cost of athletics is paid for with local levy money. The state provides NO funding to pay for coaches, equipment or event expenses.

Voter Approved EP&O Replacement Levy = Additional State Funding

If voters approve the proposed EP&O Replacement Levy, Wapato Public Schools would qualify to receive more than 

$5-million in additional state funding each year of the levy (see graph below). 

 

The additional state funding is a program known as Local Effort Assistance (LEA). It is designed to help equalize the difference in levy revenue that can be collected by school districts with higher property values and those with lower property values, like Wapato.

 

Year Local EP&O Levy Amount State Local Effort Assistance – if levy is approved
2027 $2.15-million $5.48-million (estimated)
2028 $2.30-million $5.47-million (estimated)
2029 $2.40-million $5.49-million (estimated)
2030 $2.55-million $5.39-million (estimated)
Total $9.40-million $21.83-million (estimated)

 

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The District will host a series of Community Levy Information Forums prior to election day.  We encourage our community to join us to learn more about the EP&O Replacement Levy proposal.  The forums are also the place to get answers to any questions you may still have about the proposal.

 

Community Levy Information Forums

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Simcoe Elementary School

6:00 p.m.

 

 

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Simcoe Elementary School

6:00 p.m.

 

If you have levy questions send them to wsd-levy@wapatoschools.org or call 509-877-4181

 

The EP&O Replacement Levy proposal will appear on the February 10, 2026 ballot.