The Two School Levies on the Ballot, Explained

Local residents will soon vote on two key levies for the school district. The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy and the Technology & Safety levy are replacement levies, meaning they are not new taxes. The majority of residents have supported the EP&O continuously for at least three decades. The Technology & Safety levy is a type of capital levy, which is becoming a more common way to support a district’s needed technology infrastructure.

State and federal funding only cover 80% of school districts’ operating budget. Local EP&O levies are expected to cover the remaining 20%. Cascade School District (CSD) uses the EP&O funds for a variety of programs, including the arts, special education, instructional materials, staff training, facilities support, school nurses, school resource officer, mental health resources, student clubs, athletics and transportation for extra curriculars.

The EP&O levy allows for smaller class sizes, wrap-around services for children with special needs, and enrichment to help each student thrive in his/her own way.

The good news for taxpayers is that the four-year EP&O levy will be set at a rate of $0.99/$1000 of assessed value, which is a significant decrease from the previous rate of $1.38/$1000. This lower rate will still fully fund all the district’s needs.

The lower rate relates entirely to the increased inventory of homes and their relative increased value. In other words, there is a larger tax base, so each taxpayer can pay less.

The second levy, the four-year Technology & Safety levy would cover software, hardware, technology training, improved school safety and more. Last year and this year have proven how critical technology is for successful remote and hybrid learning. The current Technology & Safety levy covered the cost of the laptops that are in the homes of students. For example, 240 out of 270 Icicle River Middle School students have borrowed laptops this year.

“The state doesn’t provide funding for technology, so there isn’t a fund available to replace laptops outside of a technology levy,” said Superintendent Tracey Beckendorf-Edou. “Laptops usually have a lifespan of three to four years, and ours have reached that limit. We also have learning management systems (Canvas and Seesaw), webcams, and teacher technology to supply.”

The tax rate for the Technology & Safety levy is $0.15/$1000 assessed value. Thus, the combined rate, assuming both levies are approved, would be $1.14/$1000.

It is important to note that Cascade School District residents are in a good position compared to others in the region. For instance, Eastmont, Chelan and Manson all pay a higher combined rate to cover the same services and needs.

Ballots should arrive in mailboxes close to January 25th. To fund Cascade School District’s educational programs and technology, voters must vote “yes” to both measures.