February 10, 2026 Election

Teachers, Books & Basics 

• Funds classroom teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, paraeducators, custodians and coaches in every neighborhood school  
• Funds the equivalent of nearly 500 teachers & staff  
• Up-to-date textbooks and classroom learning materials 
• Reading and math programs to keep students at grade level 

Educational Programs for Every Child in Every Neighborhood 

• Programs to keep students on track for graduation 
• Career & Technical Education for post-secondary success: 
  • Maritime Skills Center, healthcare, culinary, skilled trades, robotics, technology and agricultural sciences  
• Improved access for students/staff with physical disabilities 
• Programs for high-achieving students 
• College entry exams for all students 
• Pre-school and after-school programs 
• Arts, music, athletics and extra-curricular activities  

Maintain Safe Schools for Cost Savings in the Long-term 

• Maintain best environments for teaching and learning 
• Repair aged and deteriorating roofs, mechanical systems, and extend life of buildings for cost-savings in the long-term 
• Improvements to school safety and security, fire alarm systems,  
• 911 communications and earthquake safety 
• Up-to-date plumbing, heating and ventilation systems to maintain clean air and safe water 

Up-to-date Learning for Every Student 

• Maintain computer and device access for all K-12 students, teachers and staff 
• Help desk for students. Maintain and repair devices 
• Upgrade and improve classroom learning technology
• Digital displays and audio/visual enhancements
• Digital textbooks and electronic instructional materials
• Online tracking of student progress – homework, attendance, grades, and credits toward high school graduation 

Update Safety, Security and Privacy 

• Firewall, data and privacy systems for students and staff 
• Needed software upgrades and staff training 
• Electronic security systems and radio infrastructure
• Network, phone and intercom systems

Props. 1 and 2 are both 4-year replacement measures that cover the basic day-to-day operations, maintenance and technology needs for every neighborhood school. The existing levies will expire in 2026. 

If Prop. 1 passes, the anticipated cost would be $2.23/$1,000 of assessed value (averaged over 4 years). If Prop. 2 passes the cost would be $0.79/$1,000 of assessed value (averaged over 4 years). 

The renewal cost to the average Tacoma homeowner is projected to be about $36 more per month for K-12 Educational Programs and Operations and about $11 more per month for Technology Improvements and Upgrades. 

Average home value in Tacoma in 2025 was $517,526 (Pierce County Assessor, Sept. 2025.) 

School tax rates can change every year, and here’s why: 

• School districts collect a set amount of money: Unlike city taxes that are based on a fixed rate, schools are allowed to collect a specific dollar amount approved by voters. The tax rate is then adjusted each year depending on how much property in the district is worth overall. If property values go up, the rate goes down—and vice versa. 
   
• Your home value affects your bill: Even if the tax rate stays the same, the amount you pay can change if your home’s assessed value goes up or down. 
   
• There are three school-related taxes on your bill: 

1. EP&O Levy (Proposition 1) – This helps fund day-to-day operations like teachers and programs. 
2. Capital Levy (Proposition 2) – This pays for things like technology and building improvements. 
3. Debt Service – This covers payments on bonds that voters approved in the past to fund major construction projects. 

• State law changes can also affect taxes: Starting in 2025, the state legislature has allowed school districts to ask voters for more funding, which is incorporated in the figures we have presented but may also impact future tax rates. 

Local, voter-approved levies continue to provide critical funding for Tacoma Public 
Schools and all other school districts across the state. Proposition 1 alone will fund about 
17% of our district’s daily operations and maintenance, including about 500 staff 
members. 

Replacements of these two expiring levies will help the school district maintain quality 
operations and education for all students. Prop. 1 and Prop. 2 help bridge the gap 
between what the state funds and what TPS needs to ensure students have the high- 
quality education they deserve. 

No. Those reductions were made to balance the budget. Now that we have balanced the budget, Prop. 1 would maintain current educational programs, staff, day-to-day operations and maintenance of all neighborhood schools across Tacoma. However, we are regularly making modifications to support the ever-changing needs of the organization.   We may use levy funds to support programs differently in the future to align to changing environments.

Expenses have outpaced income everywhere, including schools. But the funding we received from the state for the 2025-26 school year remained almost flat.  
 
School districts are being asked to make up the difference to maintain what we have. Local levies have increased to keep pace with inflation and to maintain the current quality educational programs, teachers and staff, operations and maintenance of neighborhood schools so further cuts aren’t necessary. Additionally, the legislature increased the amount of levy authority a school district can access in the 2025 Legislature.

If Prop 1 passes, the measure could potentially fund an average of $134 million annually over the next 4 years if the legislature increases current levels as they have in the past. However, under current funding levels, if Prop. 1 passes, the school district would collect an average of $120 million annually over the next 4 years - for educational programs and day-to-day operations of neighborhood schools not covered by state funding.  

Whether you have kids in Tacoma Public Schools or not, our entire community benefits from children receiving the best education in the best and safest environment we can give them.

An easy way to remember the difference is that levies are for learning and bonds are for building. Bonds pay for capital projects, like new construction or modernization of older buildings. Bond financing lasts for a long time, often over 20 years. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid over time with interest. A levy is a property tax that collects an approved dollar amount over a much shorter span. Levies allow districts to provide more services than the state’s basic education funding allows.