Ballots coming Jan. 21 for Wahluke EP&O levy election

MATTAWA — Ballots will be mailed to Wahluke School District voters Jan. 21 for a special election to decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy. If it’s approved, the levy would replace the four-year levy approved by voters in 2022. The levy rate would remain unchanged. 

“It’s not a new tax. We're just renewing our previous levy,” said Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow.  

If the levy is approved, property owners would pay an estimated $2.50 per $1,0000 of assessed property value. If it’s approved, it will generate $3 million in 2027, $3.15 million in 2028, $3.3 million in 2029 and $3.47 million in 2030.  

People who own property valued at $200,000 would keep paying $500 per year in taxes. Property owners with land valued at $300,000 per year would pay $750 per year in taxes.   

Approval of the levy also makes WSD eligible for an estimated $3.1 million per year in additional funding from the state as part of the levy equalization program. Levy equalization provides additional funding for districts that pass a levy but have lower property values in relation to other districts. 

Most state and federal school funding is allocated to specific programs and must be spent for those purposes. The EP&O levy is money raised locally, and there are fewer restrictions on its use as a result. 

“It helps with a little bit of everything in the school,” said Nick Trejo, Wahluke School Board vice-chair.  

Districts, including Wahluke, use the money to pay for school programs that aren’t fully paid for through state or federal funding, or aren’t paid for at all. Sometimes the funding shortfalls are in unusual places. 

Harlow cited funding for sick leave for teachers. State regulations mandate that teachers receive at least 12 days of sick leave per school year. State funding pays WSD for three sick leave days. The other six, if teachers use them, must be paid for by the district. 

In an earlier interview, Harlow cited the district’s nursing program as an example of funding shortfalls. State funding pays about 80% of one nursing position, he said. The district must make up the rest. 

There’s discussion at both the federal and state levels in reducing education funding, Harlow said, and levy funds could help reduce the impact of the reductions. 

“(The levy) is even more important now than ever, as we continue to face state and federal budget cuts,” he said. 

Levy funds pay for all extracurricular activities, including Wahluke High School and Wahluke Junior High sports programs, clubs such as FBLA and FFA, WSD’s Amazing Shake program, music and drama competition and performance. Activities like elementary school robotics and field trips are also funded through the levy. 

Transportation for extracurricular activities also must be funded through the levy, Harlow said. While state funding is allocated for student transportation, those funds can’t be used for a field trip or an away game, he said. Paying the bus driver comes out of the levy. 

Ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 10. There is a ballot drop-off box in Mattawa, located at the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic, 210 Government Road.