Quick Facts about School Levies听
In Bellingham Public Schools, we have an operations and technology levy on the upcoming special election ballot on Feb. 13, 2024. These levies would replace two voter-approved levies from 2020 that will expire soon. As a reminder to voters, we use the easy-to-remember adage 鈥渂onds are for building and levies are for learning.鈥 These levies pay for nearly 25 percent of the cost of educational services not adequately funded by the state.听
Operations Levy听
Our upcoming replacement operations levy supports teaching and learning:听
- Pays for teachers, counselors, nurses and other staff鈥听
- Lowers class size鈥听
- Funds other basic operations and programs such as safety, Special Education, Multi-lingual Learners and Highly Capable program听听
- Provides arts, music, athletics and other programs for the whole child鈥听
- Supports food services/wellness鈥听
- Supports field trips and 一本道app Free Education鈥听
Technology Levy听
The replacement technology levy pays for:听
- School safety enhancements: security cameras, door locking systems听
- School wired/wireless networks听听听
- Adaptive technologies and devices for children with special needs听
- Computers, software, and digital curriculum licensing听
- 1:1 (one-to-one) technology initiative to support learning and prepare students for the future听
- Staff who implement and integrate technology听
- Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) support鈥听
- Education of online safety, empathy, responsibility and digital citizenship听
What is the impact?听
Together, the replacement operations levy and technology levy will provide approximately $56 million in funding in the first year and up to $65 million in the fourth year. 听
The chart below shows the district鈥檚 tax rates decreasing over the life of the four-year levy.听 These rates reflect the 2024 levies being proposed and bonds approved in past elections.听
2021 Actual: $3.48
2022 Actual: $3.45
2023 Actual: $3.19
2024: $2.94
2025: $2.91
2026: $2.65
2027: $2.66
2028: $2.69听
*Estimated total school district combined bond and levy rate per $1,000 assessed value. The rates are estimates based upon data from the Whatcom County Assessor鈥檚 Office.听
How much we collect per year for replacement operations levy: (estimates)听
2025: $37 million听
2026: $39 million听
2027: $41 million听
2028: $43 million听
How much we collect per year for replacement technology levy: (estimates)听
2025: $19 million听
2026: $20 million听
2027: $21 million听
2028: $22 million听
How can I vote?听
Voters within Bellingham Public Schools鈥 attendance area will receive a ballot in the mail in January 2024 to vote on two school levies that are scheduled to expire. Ballots must be mailed and postmarked or returned to the drop-box at the Whatcom County Courthouse South Parking Lot, 201 Grand Ave. by 8 p.m. Feb. 13, 2024.听
Senior Citizens Exemption Information听
Qualifying senior citizens and persons with disabilities may be exempt from paying school levies. For more information, please call the County Assessor鈥檚 office at (360) 778-5050 or visit: 听