Royal SD voters to decide on educational programs and operations levy in February

ROYAL CITY — Royal School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a two-year educational programs and operations levy request in a special election Feb. 10.  If it’s approved, it would replace the district’s existing levy approved by voters in 2024.  Royal Superintendent Roger Trail said the levy rate would remain unchanged. 

“We want to be consistent with our (levy) rate,” Trail said. “It’s not a new tax, so we’re trying to keep the rate stable.” 

If the levy is approved, property owners would pay $1.63 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A landowner with property valued at $250,000 would pay $407.50 per year in taxes. A person with property valued at $300,000 would pay $489 per year in taxes. If it passes, the levy would be collected in 2026 and 2027.  

While the levy rate remains the same, the amount collected may change as property values change, Trail said. It’s projected to raise about $2.01 million in 2026 and about $2.11 million in 2027.  

Royal will also be eligible for levy assistance if the levy passes. That’s money allocated by the state to districts that pass a levy but have relatively lower property values. The district would receive an estimated $5.16 million in levy assistance funding over the two years if it passes.  

Most school funding, whether federal or state, is allocated to specific uses, and can only be spent in approved ways. Royal allocates levy money to specific uses, extracurricular activities being one example, but it’s up to the district to decide how that money is spent. That means it can be used to pay for programs and activities the state doesn’t pay for, or allows districts to supplement programs where state and federal funding falls short.  

“It fills the gaps between what the state funds and what it actually takes to run great schools,” Trail said. “You can also look at it as making a difference between a bare-bones education and the full experience that our students deserve.” 

Royal School District contracts with the Royal City Police Department for a school resource officer; the SRO is on campus throughout the school day. That is paid for through the levy, Trail said.  

The state does provide funding for school counselors, but not enough for all the counselors district officials think are needed. Levy funds are used to make up the difference. The money also pays for substitute teachers over and above the state allocation, additional technology and building maintenance.  

The levy pays for all RSD extracurricular activities, which include high school and middle school sports, and a lot else besides. It provides supplemental funds for the band and choral programs and pays for elementary and middle school activities, including robotics. The district’s Amazing Shake competition for middle school is also completely funded through the levy. Amazing Shake is designed to teach children skills that will help them in life, from answering interview questions to adapting to unexpected situations.  

Ballots will be mailed in late January.  

    Jacob Resendez chooses a question during Amazing Shake competition in February. Royal School District’s Amazing Shake program is funded through the educational programs and operations levy.