Understanding Public School Funding
Overview
It's understandable to have questions about how schools in Washington receive the funding they need to operate. The state provides school districts with funding for "basic education" based on a "prototypical model", which is the Legislature's assumptions of what resources are needed for basic education.
However, this funding may not always cover the actual costs of operating and maintaining a school district. In these cases, school districts may turn to bonds and levies to make up the difference and ensure that students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Voter-approved capital levies can be an essential funding source for schools in Washington. These levies can help fund modern technology, enhanced building security, and renovation projects, which have an impact on the quality of education students receive. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years, providing school districts with reliable funding for these important projects.
While voter-approved bonds lay the foundation for physical growth and development within the district, levies serve as the lifeblood of educational sustainability. Understanding this fundamental contrast empowers stakeholders to navigate the intricacies of public-school funding with confidence and clarity, ensuring that every dollar allocated contributes meaningfully to the advancement of education.
Levy and Bond Basics
- What is a levy?
- What is the difference between a levy and a bond?
- What is a levy rate?
- What happens if property values increase?
- Why do different districts generate different amounts of levy dollars when they have the same estimated levy rate?
- What are “state match dollars”?
- What are school “impact fees”?
- What is a Capital Levy?
- Do all public schools receive state funding?
- Didn't Washington schools already receive money from the state because of the "McCleary" decision?