Skip to main content
“Pathways to Success”
Bond » Levy/Bond FAQs

Levy/Bond FAQs

School districts around the state rely on local, voter-approved measures to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what it costs to provide every student with the learning environments, supports and programs they need to be successful.
Levies provide local funding that bridges the gap between state and federal funding and the actual costs of operating a school district. Replacing the EP&O levy would continue funding for programs and services not fully funded by the state to support every student, staff member and school.
levy pie chart
The projects included in the bond were prioritized by the 51-member committee, a group made up of students, parents, consultants and community members who met for 15 months to address the district’s facility needs.
The estimated EP&O Levy tax rate is $2.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The estimated bond tax rate is $1.49 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
 
tax rate increase
 
 
The state pays a portion of teacher and other school district staff salaries, but not the total cost. Local levies help to bridge the gap between what the state funds and the actual cost of staff salaries. Many of our teaching and classified positions are supported in part by the local levy, which fills in the gaps not funded by the state so we can continue to recruit and maintain quality staff. The levy  provides over 14% of West Valley School District’s annual operating budget.
West Valley School District is on a three-year levy cycle. The EP&O levy has been in place since 1955 in our district. The last levy passed by voters was in 2021 to help fund district programs and operations through 2024. As the 2021 levy expires, a replacement levy must be approved by the community to continue funding those programs and services in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Both levies and bonds require voter approval. Levies require a simple majority to pass  (50% + 1). In Washington, bonds require a supermajority to pass (60% + 1).
The Centennial Middle School, West Valley City School and Spokane Valley High School buildings were not designed for the current educational environment. Renovations are costlier and would not address the safety issues or space for common areas.
The building lease for our Early Learning Center preschool program is set to expire in summer of 2025. Moving kindergarten students back to their neighborhood schools not only eases transitions for families, but it also allows our preschool program to expand as they will be moved to a bigger facility that is owned by the district (currently being utilized for kindergarteners.)
In addition to neighborhood schools, City School and Spokane Valley High School are available for students in our district and from all parts of Spokane to apply to join. In these two schools,  students learn by engaging in real-world, hands-on projects in an environment for students who learn better in non-traditional school settings. Daily schedules are more flexible than in our traditional schools, and students work collaboratively in groups or on independent projects throughout the day. Our district receives funding from the state for each student enrolled, even though outside our district, which allows us to provide these unique learning environments to students within WVSD boundaries and beyond.
City School and Spokane Valley High School will share one facility, including common spaces like a gym, but each school will retain its individual identity and be housed in separate parts of the building.
Senior citizens and people with disabilities may be eligible for tax relief and exemptions. For more information, click here or contact the Spokane County Assessor’s Office for more information.
Have a question that you don't see addressed?
Contact us at [email protected].