School board approves running levies and bond in February election
The Arlington Public Schools Board of Directors approved at its Oct. 23, 2023 meeting running an Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy, a Capital Levy to support the modernization and remodeling of school facilities, and a bond to replace Post Middle School and improve traffic flow onto the Post/Eagle Creek/Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center campus. Community members will vote on the levies and bond during the Feb. 13, 2024 election.

The four-year EP&O Levy is a renewal of the existing four-year EP&O Levy, which expires at the end of 2024. The EP&O Levy pays for staffing, educational programs and operations expenses not funded by the state. These include instructional services and support, facility maintenance, technology, special education and extracurricular activities, and other educational programs and operations expenses.

Estimated EP&O Levy
	Rate/$1,000
Collection Year	Assessed Value	Levy Amount
2025	$1.65	$13,460,000
2026	$1.64	$13,796,000
2027	$1.63	$14,141,000
2028	$1.62	$14,500,000

The four-year Capital Levy pays for districtwide health, safety, infrastructure and facility improvements, including, but not limited to replacing, repairing, upgrading, modernizing and/or improving roofing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, mechanical and electrical systems and equipment, windows, technology infrastructure (e.g., fiber and telecommunications), kitchen equipment, plumbing, and paving and parking; and making other health, safety, infrastructure and facility improvements at district facilities.

Estimated Capital Levy
	Rate/$1,000
Collection Year	Assessed Value	Levy Amount
2025	$.77	$6,334,000
2026	$.77	$6,492,000
2027	$.77	$6,654,000
2028	$.76	$6,821,000

The Post Middle School Bond provides for replacement of the deteriorating, existing Post Middle School. The new school would correct the safety and security concerns of the existing Post Middle School. The new school would be earthquake resistant, have interior hallways for security, have larger classrooms to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education, and be protected from fire with a fire sprinkler system. The cost of the bond is $95 million.

“It’s important for Arlington students to learn and thrive in a safe and comfortable learning environment,” said Arlington School Board President, Mary Levesque. “The EP&O Levy, Capital Levy, and bond to replace Post Middle School and improve traffic flow onto the Post/Eagle Creek/Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center campus will further ensure all students will have the best possible educational experience for years to come.”

K-12 Funding

Did you know K-12 education is not fully funded by the state of Washington? That is why districts like ours rely on local funding measures to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what we need to support our students, staff, and school buildings.

 



Bonds & Levies
Bonds are for building. The state does not provide any funding for the construction, maintenance, repair, or replacement of our school buildings. That is why districts like ours rely on bonds to complete these projects. Bonds help fund modern learning spaces that support the growth of our students.

Our Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) was convened in 2016 to review safety and security needs in our schools and have helped recommend capital projects for past capital levies and bonds. The FAC is working this year on developing recommendations for a potential 2024 bond.

Local levies. Levies provide funding for the critical day-to-day operations of the district. They fund staffing positions like nurses, counselors, paraeducators, and teachers. They also fund extracurricular activities, technology, and safety and security updates.

In 2020, our community approved a four-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy and a Capital levy renewal. Learn how these measures are making a difference for our students here. Both levies are up for renewal in 2024.

Learn the difference between school bonds and levies and property values

Bonds and Levies...What's the Difference?