ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT LEVY...      

Over the years, the Willapa Valley School District has valued the support of its community.  With the backing of patrons, the District has cultivated a culture of life-long learning. 

The community approved the two-year Replacement Levy in November of 2021.  Funding from that levy will end in November of 2023. 

Therefore, the District is running a four-year Replacement Levy in April of 2023.  Approval of this levy will ensure that the enhancement, extra-curricular and support programs of the District will continue uninterrupted.  

If you have levy questions, please contact the District Office at 942-5855.

For more information, go to the Levy Page of the Willapa Valley Website by clicking HERE:  

The state funds basic education for students, but Willapa Valley Schools offer much more than just basic education. 

The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy pays for programs and services not covered by Basic Education funding from the state.  Local levy dollars allow communities to operate local schools at the level desired for their community, meeting the needs of their own students. 

April 25, 2023 is Decision Day for Willapa Valley

If the levy passes on April 25, current levy-supported programs like athletics, extra-curricular activities, student success supports, and general operations will continue uninterrupted since the District could anticipate receiving tax revenue in November of 2023.  However, without a voter-approved local levy in April, the District will be able to offer only the very basic education that is funded by the state and will have cut those levy-supported programs. 

  If the April levy is not approved, the District will have to run it again in November of 2023.  There is a significant cost to the District each time it has to put a levy on the ballot.

What Does Basic Education NOT Fund?

PRESCHOOL

Willapa Valley School District is committed to providing an excellent, free preschool experience to our youngest learners, regardless of family income, knowing that learning support during the first few years of a child's life starts them on a path toward success in school.   Basic Education funding from the state does not fund preschool.  Willapa Valley uses grants to fund most of the cost of preschool, and the local levy helps fund the remaining costs. 

ATHLETICS, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, and FIELD TRIPS

Students' lives and educational experiences are enriched by both athletics and by extracurricular activities and field trips for extended learning.  Lifelong lessons in goal-setting, work ethic, cooperation, sportsmanship, and self-confidence come from the work and play of athletics and extra-curricular activities, which is NOT funded by Basic Education funding.  Field trips supply additional opportunities for our students beyond the classroom.

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Ongoing operations and upkeep of facilities and properties is NOT funded by Basic Education funding.  Willapa Valley has worked hard to build and maintain beautiful, functional facilities for students which enhance student learning. 

Positions Not Totally Funded by the State

The District is funded for only 1.2 principals, but it is difficult to not have a principal in each school building. Our two strong principals are a big reason our schools are successful!  The District is not fully funded for its school nurse--not enough to pay for even the two days per week the school nurse has been in our schools.  Instructional para-educators directly support student learning, but the state funds only about one-half of the instructional para-educators needed for student support, particularly post-pandemic when schools are focused on learning recovery.

County taxes that come directly to Willapa Valley School District are of two types:

1.  Bond (2006 Bond for WV Middle & High school construction and remodel of Willapa Elementary)

2.  E. P. & O. Levy

This chart shows the total tax cost over time.

There are two general state "School Taxes" collected by the state and then redistributed across the state to many school districts.  

Then there is the Willapa Valley Bond and the E. P & O. Levy--These taxes stay in the Willapa Valley District.

See the chart below for the total.  

The Prototypical School Model

RCW  28A.150.260

All schools are funded by the Prototypical School Model., based on an "ideal" school. Funding for  counselors, para-educators, and custodians for this "ideal" school are determined. by this formula.

 Since the Willapa Valley district is smaller than this "ideal" district, its funding is reduced proportionately.   Willapa Valley serves 387 students, so looking at the "Elementary" column of the Prototypical School Model (highlighted in yellow) is a close approximation of the funding received. Here are some examples below:   

Prototypical School Model

Elementary School = 400 students

Middle School = 432 students

High School = 600 students

PRINCIPAL

Willapa Valley is funded 1.25 for principals.  Willapa Valley has two schools and two strong principals.  The local levy helps fund our principals. 

SCHOOL NURSE

Willapa Valley is funded .076 for a school nurse.  That works out to less than one day per week.  Willapa Valley has had a school nurse for two days a week every year.  The local levy helps fund two days of nursing services.

SCHOOL FAMILY RESOURCE NAVIGATOR AND /DRUG/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO COUNSELOR

The school employs a full-time counselor as a Family Resource Navigator and as a drug/alcohol, tobacco prevention and intervention counsellor.  The position is funded mostly through a county grant, but some funding will come from the levy.

CUSTODIANS

The District is funded 1.657 for custodians, but the District's two school buildings require two full-time custodians. The local levy helps to fund the additional .343 for custodians.  

How much is the District Approved to ask for in the local levy?  Click on the link below: 

Willapa Valley Levy Computation 

A QUICK LOOK AT THE LEVY FACTS...    

Levy First Facts...

• This is NOT a new tax.
• REPLACES the levy funds that  expire in 2023.
• This is a four--year Levy proposal for $675,000 per year
• Proposed collection rate is $1.52 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is the SAME RATE as the current levy.
• If approved, the District receives important Levy Equalization funding. Together local levy funds and Levy Equalization dollars comprise approximately 12% of the District’s operating budget.
• Helps fund what the State does not fund as part of Basic Education.

Did you know that levy funds support elementary students too?

Levy funds support:

• Field trips
• Classroom small group instruction
• Recess supervision
• Lunch services and meal preparation        
• Office staff
• Curriculum purchases
• Classroom art supplies
• Instructional paraeducators

LEVY AND BOND; WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

The District is often asked this question.  The difference between a levy and a facilities bond is:

LEVY =  LEARNING

• Learning Support
• Activities and Athletics
• Technology
• Safety and Security Support
• A Simple Majority to Pass (50.01%)

BOND = BUILDING

• Building and Remodeling
• New Construction
• A Super Majority to Pass

The District’s last Bond was passed in 2006 for restructuring Willapa Valley Middle-High School and Willapa Elementary.

 Funds from the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy are used for student programs and learning. 

On April 23 the District is running a Levy.

HOW MUCH WILL THE LEVY COST ME?

In Willapa Valley's Replacement Levy the collection rate is projected at $1.52 per $1,000 in assessed valuation.  The levy rate is set as a total dollar amount to be collected--$675,000.   That amount is divided among all taxable property owners in Willapa Valley.  In order to help homeowners plan for how much they will pay, a projected rate is provided.  As the valuation of property set by the Pacific County Assessor changes, the rate per $1000 will also change. 

The district is limited to collect $625,000 only, no matter how the valuation changes.  If the total valuation of property in the school district rises, the rate per $1000 will drop.   

WHAT IS LEVY EQUALIZATION FUNDING?

Levy Equalization is additional funding the State provides property-poor districts (areas with a lower tax base) when passing levies. For Willapa Valley, Levy Equalization Funding from the state adds to the funds for the District. Together, the funds make up approximately 12% of the District’s operating budget.

EXPLAINING THE LEVY COLLECTION RATE

Proposed Levy Collection Rates

2024 at $1.52/1,000—$675,000

2025 at $1.52/1,000—$675,000

2026 at $1.52/1,000—$675,000

2027 at $1.52/1,000—$675,000

PLEASE NOTE:  The amount asked for will not change over the four years.  It will remain the same. 

The tax rate per $1000 is an estimation based on property assessments. 

As assessments rise, the amount per $1000 GOES DOWN.  

As more property is purchased and developed, the assessment of county property rises, so the cost of the school tax is shared among more property owners, with each paying a smaller portion.

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Levy Equalization Funding

IF the levy passes, it is projected that the District will receive  Levy Equalization funding from the state to help support programs not adequately funded by the State.  Levy Equalization is an additional funding source the State provides property-poor districts when passing levies. In Willapa Valley, Levy Equalization funding adds about another third to the total amount.  

If the Replacement Levy is approved, the available equalization funds are an important funding source.  When Levy Equalization funding is added to the funds generated from levy collection rates, the District has the available resources to help maintain educational opportunities which provide quality learning so students can gain the knowledge and skills to be college and career ready.

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12% of the District's $6.5 Million Budget

IF the District’s April Replacement of Educational  Programs and Operations Levy is approved, Levy collection rates combined with Levy Equalization funding will comprise 12% of the District’s $6.5 million budget. These funds directly impact students by helping support valuable programs and learning opportunities that the State does not fully fund.

What About ESSER Funds?

(Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)

ESSER 1: $142, 660—March 13, 2020-Sept. 30, 2022 (Balance: $0)

ESSER 2: $547,336—March 13, 2020-Sept. 30, 2023          (Balance: $0)

ESSER 3: $1,230,261—March 13, 2020-Sept. 30, 2024

General ESSER:  $666,138     Learning Loss:  $231,713

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LEVY DOESN'T PASS in APRIL?

The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy collection amounts to approximately 12% of the District budget.   In order to collect Levy Funds, the District needs community approval.    Additionally, without having levy debt, the district does not qualify to keep timber tax revenue in its General Fund.  In Willapa Valley's rural district, timber plays an important role in its tax base.  With few business properties to pay school taxes, timber revenue fills an important gap.  Without an approved levy, this timber revenue is passed on to other public institutions.

If the levy does not pass in April of 2023, the district will have to run the levy again in November of 2023.   

Basic education provides for classes, curriculum, special education.  Without an Enrichment Levy, reductions in programs would include eliminating some support personnel,  cutting extra-curricular opportunities for students (including sports and extra-curricular clubs) cutting all field trips and charging tuition for Preschool.    

These programs and services are the very ones that students and parents want for their students.  They are what make school fun and rewarding.  Some of life's most important lessons come from them.  Yes, these reductions would negatively impact Willapa Valley students.

Voters' decision in April will be an important one to the future of our district. 

Replacement Levy Talking Points...

• The District is placing a Replacement Levy proposal on the  April 25, 2023 ballot.
• This is a four-year levy proposal.
• A Replacement of Educational Programs and Operations Levy is for learning and supports student programs and well-being.
• This is a replacement levy request. It RENEWS the tax  that is now being collected through 2023.
• Enrichment Levy funds will help maintain programs through the 2026-2027 school year.
• Levy dollars fund three main areas: Student Learning Support, General Operations and Athletics and Activities.
• The collection rate is about $1.52 per $1,000 of assessed value.
• If the levy is approved, the district will receive Levy Equalization funds from the state.
• Combined with Levy Equalization funding, 12% of the District’s budget derives from levy funds.
• Levy dollars provide critical funding for programs and opportunities the State does not fund or does not fully fund.
• Simple majority (50.01%) is required for the Levy to pass.
• If the Levy is not successful, an additional loss of timber revenue will occur. 
• A levy loss affects LEARNING.  It affects STUDENTS.  

Available to:
Taxpayers who meet one of the following requirements as of December 31 of the year before the taxes are due:

• At least 61 years of age or older.
• Income of up to $40,000.
• Retired from regular gainful employment due to a disability.
• Veteran of the armed forces of the United States receiving compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at one of the following:
  • Combined service-connected evaluation rating of 80% or higher.
  • Total disability rating for a service-connected disability without regard to evaluation percent.

For more information or to access filing forms, visit https://www.co.pacific.wa.us/assessor/Exemption.htm

VOTER REGISTRATION                                                      

Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day, or by April 17, 2023.

The deadline for in-person only, Washington State voter registration is April 25 at 8:00 p.m. In-person means you must apply at the county auditor’s office. For more voter registration information, visit https://co.pacific.wa.us/auditor/elections.htm

Ballots for April 25, 2023, Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy election are scheduled to arrive in mailboxes approximately April 7.  For a vote to be considered, it must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 25.