Educational Programs and Operations Levy for the February 13th Ballot

The Quillayute Valley School District (QVSD) Board of Directors held a special board work session on Tuesday, October 29, to discuss placing a replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) on the February 13, 2025, Special Election ballot.

During the special session, board members reviewed proposed items supported by levy funding and associated costs. Local EP&O Levy funding and matching Local Effort Assistant (LEA) make up approximately 7% of the district’s overall budget. QVSD’s EP&O levy fills the funding gap between what the state pays for and what it actually costs to offer a well-rounded education for students.

QVSD’s Replacement EP&O levy pays for:

· All extra-curricular activities (including costs associated with extra-curricular events, athletics, drama, art, music, field trips and cultural events)

· Education personnel and staffing outside of what is funded by the state (early childhood staff, four certificated teachers and approximately 35 classified staff employees)

· Updated technology, equipment, and curriculum for classroom instruction and district operation

· Levy funds also assist the district with the upkeep of facilities including but not limited to the following: minor and major roof repairs, heating systems, replacement of outdated maintenance and kitchen equipment, transportation tools, facility upgrades and site improvements (resurfacing of gym floors, stage light upgrades, security cameras, etc.).

“Local levy dollars are absolutely critical for Quillayute Valley Schools and students,” Superintendent Diana Reaume stated. “The ‘formula’ the state uses to allocate state funding for schools in Washington pays for only ‘basic education’ programs and operations, not the activities which keep students engaged in school, such as sports, drama, and performing arts, to name a few. State funding just does not add up to actual costs or needs.”

Two key discussion items during the special board work session were the length and collection rate for the replacement levy. Members of the board indicated the desire to propose a four-year levy, so the community taxpayers can anticipate costs. A lengthy discussion about increasing the total current collection amount of $714,304 to a level that would maximize state funding in the form of Local Effort Assistant (LEA) matching funds was another topic of discussion.

Considering Maximizing State Funding

Should the board vote to place a measure on the February ballot, QVSD may also be eligible for up to an additional $5 million in state matching funds through a program called Local Effort Assistance (LEA), but only if the district adjusts its levy rate per $1,000.

What is Local Effort Assistance (LEA)?

Local Effort Assistance is state funding that helps to level the playing field between school districts with high property values and those with lower property values (like in QVSD). Because school districts with higher property values are able to raise significantly more funding through local levies than school districts in areas with lower property values, LEA funding can be provided by the state to supplement the funds that can be raised locally. To qualify for the maximum amount of state LEA funding, a district must demonstrate it is doing all it can to raise local funding and increase collection rates to as close to the maximum collection amount of $1.50 per $1,000 as possible.

“Our school district qualifies for LEA, yet with our current collection rate of 81 cents per $1,000, we are missing out on $2.5 million per year of state funds set aside for Forks,” said Reaume. “Our board members must weigh whether we want to propose an increase in our local collection rate so we can maximize the state’s contribution and ultimately offer more for our students.”

Board Chair, Bill Rohde, said “We have been fortunate to not increase the levy amount over the past two decades. However, when looking at the costs associated with student programming and maintenance/facility upkeep, we will have to increase the overall collection amount to account for inflation.”

At the special meeting, board members also discussed the importance of local timber dollars collected in Forks’ Junior Taxing District through the Department of Natural Resource timber sales. They discussed how the overall sales during a year lowers the tax collection of the taxpayers. “Just as a levy is necessary to access state LEA funds, passing a local EP&O Levy is also required to access well-deserved timber dollars for our schools,” stated Reaume.

Board Vote

The Board of Directors was to discuss a proposed rate of collection and approve a resolution for the collection rate at the board meeting on Tuesday, November 12. This proposition would continue to support the District’s General Fund of non-basic educational programs, as well as maintenance and operation expenses.

An EP&O Levy requires a simple majority vote of 50% plus one, unlike a bond (for the construction of new school facilities) which requires a super-majority vote of 60% and validation of the last general election vote.