How Public Schools Are Funded

 

What's 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 fund. Maintenance and Operations Levies By law, school districts can only run a levy for a maximum of four years. Many school districts choose to run two or three year levies, especially if the are a growing district and are uncertain of the impacts of growth on their student enrollment. Here's a list of programs and services that a levy typically funds: Supplemental funding for teachers' salaries for additional time and planning Teacher assistants to increase the number of adults helping and teaching children Additional funding for textbooks and curriculum training Additional curriculum offerings for students Funding of student athletics and co-curricular activities Additional funding for school bus transportation Additional funding for building and grounds maintenance Additional funding of student programs Funding of technology Additional costs of highly capable education Funding support for community use of facilities		Bonds A bond is financed over a long period of time, generally 12 to 20 years and is comparable to your home mortgage. Upon their sale, bonds provide immediate funds for: New schools Acquisition of property Capital projects, such as modernization of schools Bond dollars may not, by law, pay for the day-to-day of running a school district. If you need further information, please contact the Administration Office at 360-618-6200. For tax exemption information, please call 425-388-3540 or 425-388-3433.