Budget and Finance:
How Your Schools Are Funded
The following information was written by the Snohomish County Schools Public Information Co-Op and is available as a brochure by calling 360-563-7263.
Where do schools get their money?
From three sources:
- About 78% from the state,
- About 16% from local school district taxpayers, and
- About 6% from the federal government.
How do schools get “local” money?
Through levies and bond issues. Both are approved by the voters and are based upon local property valuations. Property owners pay a set amount for each $1,000 of their property values. Once approved, levy and bond amounts cannot be increased. When community property values increase, the amount paid per $1,000 decreases. There are exemptions for some senior citizens and disabled persons who meet income requirements.
Why are voters asked to approve Maintenance and Operations or Program Levies so often?
By law, M&O or program levies can only be for a maximum of four years. Public school districts may choose to run levy ballots for two, three or four years. However, after the allotted amount of years, the levy expires, similar to a magazine subscription. Districts must go back to their voters and ask for a continuation, or renewal, of levy support. Generally, the levy you are voting on simply replaces one that is about to expire.
Can public school districts propose a levy for any amount they wish?
No. Public school districts are limited to a maximum amount of 24% of their state allocated budget.
What is the difference between a bond and a levy, and what do they pay for?
Levy money and bond money are intended to meet different but important student needs. Below is an outline of what levies and bonds are typically allowed to pay for:
Levies (require 50% plus one approval to pass):
The duration of a levy is from two to four years only and most commonly supports student programs, additional staffing, teacher compensation, and the operation and maintenance of buildings. Here’s a typical list of support that levies pay for:
- Teacher assistants to increase the number of adults helping students
- Time for teacher training and planning
- Additional transportation services
- Costs of student activities & athletics
- Cost of building & grounds maintenance
- Additional costs of highly capable education
- Additional costs for curriculum materials
- Additional supplemental funding for teachers’ salaries
Bonds (require 60% plus one approval to pass):
A bond is financed over a long period of time, generally 12-20 years and is more comparable to your home mortgage. Upon their sale, they provide immediate funds for:
- New buildings
- Acquisition of property
- Capital projects, such as the modernization of older buildings
Bond dollars may not, by law, pay for the day-to-day costs of running a school district.
Do all public school districts receive state funding?
Yes. The Basic Education Act of 1997 set a formula for sending state funds to school districts. The basic formula gives each district a certain dollar amount for each Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student (each student attending school all day). For each student who needs extra services, such as disability programs, gifted education or bilingual education, there are state and federal formulas for supplemental support.
What do federal monies pay for?
The amount and program designation varies from district to district. Typically, federal dollars pay for a percentage of vocational programs, special education, food service programs and special grants.