The Educational Programs and Operations Levy is a legal term describing a local tax to support the routine running of schools. The EP&O Levy is used to support instructional resources such as elementary music and PE, middle and high school band, lower class sizes, school nurses and counselors, athletics (all sports expenses), academic clubs (FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, ect.), transportation (for sports and activities) early learning services and other educational programming.

This is not a new tax. It renews an expiring local levy. This proposal renews the existing levy that is set to expire at the end of 2026.

Under state law, education and operations levy dollars may only be used to fund educational programs and operations not funded by the state’s basic education program funding.

State funding only covers what is defined as “basic education,” but does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district or provide enrichment opportunities for students. Levies bridge that gap in funding. The proposed levies would help fill the gap in state funding for the 2026-27 school year. 

This website, www.waschoolfunding.org, helps to put the scope of our state’s K-12 education challenges in context. This resource helps to clearly explain the issues creating financial pressure on K-12 school districts and the need for state funding allocations to reflect these increasing costs. 

No, the districts will not get more money if property values increase. The total levy dollar amount that voters are asked to approve, is a fixed amount. Property taxes adjust based on the assessed value of a piece of property each year. If property values increase, the district still is only able to collect the voter approved maximum – no matter how much assessed values increase. As more homes are built in the Ritzville and Lind School Districts boundaries, more property owners contribute to the total levy amount, which means that each property owner may pay less in levy taxes.

Levies and bonds are both voter-approved measures that can be used to pay for needs not covered by a school district's typical state funding.

• EP&O Levies can be used to enrich district programs and operations beyond state funding. This can include paying for staffing costs, equipment, and arts and athletics programs.
• Capital Project Levies may be used to pay for major repairs and renovations to facilities.
• Levies must be approved by a simple majority of voters. 
• Bonds may pay for construction of new schools and district facilities. They must be approved by a super majority (60 percent) of voters and are implemented for between 20 to 30 years.

YES. If you are a senior citizen or are disabled, Washington has two programs that may help you with your property taxes and/or special tax assessments, such as the school levy. Contact Adams County Assessor’s office for more information at 509-659-3200.