Levy Facts | February 14, 2012

A replacement levy is necessary to fill the gap between what the state funds and what it actually costs to maintain the educational programs in Evergreen Public Schools. State funding falls short of what students need, and what parents want, in order to receive a quality education. In fact, in the past four years, reductions from the state have caused Evergreen Public Schools to cut the budget by more than $26 million.

Replacement levy funds make up 17 percent of Evergreen's $239.3 million operating budget.

In 2010, Evergreen Public Schools' voters approved a two-year levy, which expires at the end of 2012. The replacement levy on the February 14, 2012 ballot will provide funding through 2016. All districts in Clark County, and nearly all districts in the state of Washington, go to their voters every one, two, three or four years with levy proposals to maintain the quality of their educational programs.

Levies do not extend beyond the tax years for which they are approved. The total amount of the levy collected cannot increase even if the district's assessed value increases. If the voters approve the levy on February 14, 2012, the collection will not begin until April of 2013.

Levy Webcast - Replay

How will the proposed levy affect my taxes?

With passage of the levy, the projected rate per thousand dollars of assessed value will be $4.19 in 2013, $4.42 in 2014, $4.54 in 2015 and $4.51 in 2016. The actual impact upon the property taxes on your home will depend on whether your home increases or decreases in assessed value, and, if so, by how much. The total amount of the levy collected cannot increase even if the district’s assessed value increases. If the voters approve the levy on February 14, 2012, the collection will not begin until April of 2013.

How much will the proposed levy cost me?

In 2012, a median priced home in Evergreen Public Schools will pay approximately $655.00 towards the levy. (Please note - according to the Clark County Assessor - a median price home in 2012 is assessed at $171,000.) If the levy is approved, that same homeowner will pay an estimated $685.00 in 2013, $698.00 in 2014, $718.00 in 2015 and $738.00 in 2016. Over the four year period of the levy, the homeowner of a median priced home will see their levy tax rate increase on average less than 3 percent annually.

Click here to use the levy tax estimator.

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Key Benefits

This levy replaces the levy approved by voters in 2010 and helps fill the gap between what the state funds and what it actually costs to maintain the educational programs in Evergreen Public Schools. Funds from the current levy allow the district to pay for part or all of a variety of instructional services and programs, including:

More than 200 instructional staff (for example, teachers, librarians and counselors)
More than 140 non-instructional staff (for example, building clerical support and security staff)
Textbooks and supplies
Selected English Language Learner Programs
Selected Special Education Programs
EXCEL classes for Highly Capable students
Bus transportation for elementary students that live more than a halfmile from school
Classroom Technology
Library Materials and Equipment
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Extracurricular activities such as music, athletics and clubs

If approved by voters, the four-year levy will raise:

$43,331,000 in 2013
$44,150,000 in 2014
$45,400,000 in 2015
$46,700,000 in 2016

Levy Resource Guide

Replacement Levy (Press Release)

Levy Fast Facts (Brochure)

Legislatively Mandated Salary Reductions

School District Reserves

Levy Equalization

Length of School Year

Voter Registration

Evergreen Public Schools encourages all residents of Clark County who are U.S. Citizens (by birth or naturalization) and who are at least 18-years-old on or before Election Day to register to vote. Mail-in registration forms are available in the office at any school or at the district’s Administrative Service Center at 13501 N.E. 28th Street, during regular business hours.

Senior Citizens

Please note: Senior Citizens may qualify for tax exemption from special levies. For more information on Senior Citizen exemptions, please call the Clark County Assessment and GIS Office at 397-2391.