Toppenish School District

A school levy is a local tax used to fund programs and services that state and federal budgets don’t fully cover. This includes extracurricular activities, sports, and safety measures.

No, they’re not! Levies fund daily operational expenses such as school supplies, curriculum, and programs. Bonds, on the other hand, are for major projects like constructing or renovating school buildings.

Levies are for learning. Bonds are for building.

The current voter-approved levy expires in 2025. The proposed February 2025 levy will replace it, extending support through 2029. This levy funds critical areas that the state does not fully fund, including:

 Extracurricular Activities
 Multilingual Student Programs
 Security Enhancements
 Early Childhood Education
 Toppenish School Intramurals
 Site Safety & Administrator Training
 Expanded College and Career Pathways
 Building Maintenance & Technology Infrastructure
 Social and Emotional Learning Programs

Your support ensures these programs and services continue to benefit our students and community.

Schools rely on levies for important things that aren't covered by other funding. This includes extra curricular activities, pathways to multilingual students, security enhancements, early childhood programs, Toppenish School Intramurals, site safety admin training, increased college career pathways, building maintenance & technology infrastructure, social, emotional learning program.  Levies ensure these essential resources remain available to support students and the community.

No, the state does not fully cover the cost of running a school district. While it provides some funding, it falls short of covering essential programs and services that matter to local families. Levies help bridge this gap to ensure students receive a well-rounded education.

No, levies benefit all students by ensuring schools have the resources needed for a quality education. This includes essential supports like books, technology, social-emotional learning programs, and much more, creating opportunities for every student to succeed.

No, levies are not permanent. They are approved for a set number of years, and voters must renew them to keep them in place. In the Toppenish School District, levies are typically renewed every four years. The current levy is set to expire in December 2025.

No, this levy will not. Your taxes will go down significantly! The current TSD tax is $3.21. After tax levy approval your tax rate would drop to $2.50!

No, voting "yes" for a levy does not reduce funding for other community services. Levy funds are specifically designated for education and are not taken from budgets for other local programs.

No, levies fund much more than academics! They also support athletics, arts, and other programs that enrich the school experience and make education more well-rounded beyond just reading and math.

No, school funding varies widely across Washington state due to differences in state allocations and local resources. A local levy is essential for bridging funding gaps, ensuring students in the Toppenish School District have access to equal opportunities and the resources they need to succeed.

If a levy fails, it can result in cuts to essential programs and resources, directly affecting students' education. These cuts can impact extracurricular activities, safety measures, and other vital services that support student success. Adjusting without levy funds would mean fewer opportunities for students.

In the Toppenish School District, the proposed levy is a replacement of the current levy, so it doesn’t represent a new tax. It continues to invest in the education of our students and helps cover costs that state funding doesn’t fully address. The levy ensures local schools have the resources they need to support students in our community.

While grants can be helpful, they don't cover everything. Grants are typically for specific projects and cannot be relied upon to meet ongoing, day-to-day needs. Levies provide a consistent source of funding to ensure schools have what they need year after year.

If the EP&O levy passes, the Toppenish School District would be eligible for an additional $24.8 million in state funding. This state assistance nearly triples the local investment but is only available if the local levy is approved. Voting "yes" ensures that our schools receive this critical funding boost.