Levy FAQs

Educational programs and operations replacement levy
The duration of a replacement levy is four years only and supports students programs, staffing, teacher compensation and maintenance and operation of buildings.

Basics in every classroom so every child can succeed
This levy provides 22.4 percent of the district's operations budget and pays for basic day-to-day operations such as eductaional programs, teachers, nurses, librarians, textbooks, classroom materials, athletics, arts, music, safety and security programs.

Not a new tax: replaces expiring operations levy
A four-year replacement operations levy provides nearly one-quarter of every neighborhood school’s day-to-day budget, paying for basic classroom needs. The measure replaces the previous operations levy passed in 2006 and is due to expire in 2010.

Helps keep class sizes small
The replacement operations levy helps keep class sizes small and pays for teachers, librarians and instructional aides in every neighborhood school.

School facility and technology improvements levy
The duration of a school projects levy varies in length with a maximum of six years and may be used for construction or technology purposes.

Student health and safety first
The six-year school projects levy would fund critical health and safety improvements, such as roofs, plumbing, energy-efficient heating and lighting systems, playground and playfield upgrades.

Best tools for teaching, learning and technology improvements
The school projects levy would fund critical technology improvements to make sure students and teachers have greater access to the best tools for teaching and learning. The measure would also fund technology teaching instruction and provide parents with online ability to monitor student attendance, grades and academic progress.

Aged and deteriorating school buildings in serious need
The school projects levy would make improvements to some of the district’s oldest and most deteriorated school buildings that were built more than 50 years ago. They have not received improvements or major renovations in more than 30 years. The last capital improvement measure was passed nearly a decade ago.

What do federal monies and state dollars pay for?
The amount and program designation varies from district to district depending on the needs of the students. In Tacoma, federal dollars pay for 17.9 percent of vocational programs: Special Education, American Indian Education, disability programs, Head Start, Title I, food service programs and special grants. State dollars provide 56.4 percent of TPS funding. The local levy must provide 22.4 percent of the budget not covered by state and federal dollars.

Why are voters asked to approve an educational programs and operations replacement levy?
By law, replacement levies can only be for a maximum of four years. After the allotted number of years, the levy expires, similar to a magazine subscription. Districts must go back to their voters and ask for a continuation, or renewal, of levy dollar support.

Where do schools get their money?
Funding comes from the following sources: