Frequently Asked Questions

We’re asking our community to vote on two levy propositions, an Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O Levy) and a Technology Capital Projects Levy (Tech Levy). Both are needed to replace levies approved by voters in 2024, which expire in 2026. The levies maintain vital funding for existing student programs and essential staffing, services, resources and technology not fully-funded by our state.  If approved, these four-year levies maintain funding through 2030. 

No. The proposed Educational Programs & Operations Levy (EP&O) and the Technology Levy would replace and renew the current levies that expire in 2026. It’s like renewing a subscription to a magazine or streaming service in order to keep getting it. If approved, the replacement levies would be in place until 2030. 

The state only pays for what it defines as “Basic Education.” Voters are often surprised by how “basic” the state funding really is. Much of what we take for granted and expect in schools is not covered under the state funding model. Some programs are “underfunded” by the state and others are not funded at all. 

Yes. Since the state only pays for Basic Education, almost every district in Washington has a local levy.  Those few that don’t, have little or no taxable property, because they’re on federal land and depend on federal funding to make up the difference rather than levies. 

It’s significant. Our schools have test scores and graduation rates above state averages; a wide range of advanced and accelerated course options for students; an exceptional range of career and elective classes; state and national award-winning activities and athletics; state-of-the-art technology for learning; and outstanding services for students with disabilities. Our community has come to expect a high-level of services and programming for our students that go well above the state's basic education - local levies make these amazing programs and services possible. 

Local funding make up 21% of our districts operating budget. Local funds consist of local levies, grants, and other fees. Our two levies account for 16% of our total budget. 

The EP&O Replacement Levy bridges the gap between what the state funds as "basic education" and the actual cost of student programs, staffing and operating our schools. The EP&O Levy will maintain our current staffing and services that support strong academic programs, student well-being and safety & operational excellence. Some of these include, Security & Security staff, Arts, Music, Electives, Operational Support Staff, Career & College Readiness, Academic Enrichment & Early Learning, Athletics & Extracurriculars.

When you look at the ballot, you’ll see the proposed Educational Program and Operations, or EP&O, levy rate listed as $2.37 per $1,000 of assessed value. But it’s actually $2.35. This all comes down to timing. When the district submits the ballot resolutions to the county in the fall, we don't have the final, updated assessed property value information for the entire district. We must use our best estimate of what the rate will be. Property values were actually higher than estimated. As a result, the rate decreased.

State funding for technology is far below our actual needs to prepare our students for college, career and life readiness.  The replacement Tech Levy would continue funding tech equipment, safety (such as security alarms and cameras), cybersecurity, technical support, educational software, and training for students and staff.  It also ensures equitable access to technology for all our students and provides tech tools for student accessibility. 

Register online at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx. The deadline to register online or update your registration online or by mail for the February Election is Monday, February 2, 2026. If you miss that deadline, on February 10 (Election Day), you may still register and vote in-person at the King County Elections Office, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, phone: 206-296-8683 (VOTE).

Yes – and no stamp is needed!  In King County, all elections are mail-in only. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on January 21, and signed ballots must be postmarked on or before February 10, 2026, to be counted. 

There are three ways you can return your ballot:

• Ballot drop boxes:  Starting Jan. 21, you can submit your signed ballot to an official ballot drop box up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Feb. 8. In our area, drop boxes can be found at Tahoma School District/Rock Creek Elementary parking lot, the Hobart Market, Covington Public Library and Black Diamond Public Library. 
• By mail:  If mailing your ballot, the Elections Office recommends dropping your ballot in the mail by the Friday before Election Day, to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted. No stamp is needed.
• Voting Centers:  Starting Jan. 21, King County Vote Centers will be available to voters needing assistance completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private ballot. 

Email elections@kingcounty.gov or call the Elections Office at 206-296-VOTE (8683) if you need additional assistance.

Yes.  Homeowners aged 61 or over, those permanently retired due to a disability, as well as some veteran families, may be eligible for a property tax deferral or exemption from local voter-approved property taxes, including school levies and bonds.  

The Washington State Legislature recently changed its eligibility requirements for exemption and deferral programs, so be sure to check their website for details to learn if you qualify: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/TaxRelief.aspx. If you have questions, please call the King County Assessor’s Office at 206-296-3920.

Basic Education is the minimum educational program that the state funds. The state legislature defines basic education and is required to fund it. Basic education is just that, basic. It funds a minimum number of school days and hours, a minimum number of staff, part of the costs of special education, some English Language support, some services for students below or above standard academically, about 70% of transportation costs, about 20% of technology costs, and an amount for supplies and equipment. Anything beyond the minimum basic education, including much we take for granted in our schools and district, falls on our community to cover through local levies.

State funding comes with strings attached, but levies allow districts some local control to expand support and opportunities that align with our community’s unique needs and priorities.  

Major school construction projects require passage of a bond. There is no bond on the February ballot. Our Capital Facilities Committee (CFC) is working on a long-term plan for our facilities and will share its findings with the community for future consideration. To learn more about the Capital Facilities Committee, please visit https://www.tahomasd.us/about/facilities-committee. 

Capital Bonds (often referred to as just “bonds”) provide long-term financing (typically 20 years – like a mortgage loan) for capital projects such as the construction of schools, acquisition of land, and purchase of equipment or modular buildings. Bond funds cannot be utilized to pay for day-to-day operating costs required to run schools. Bond elections require a supermajority (60% voter approval) to pass.

Levies are typically four years and are intended to cover the day-to-day operational costs of a school district not covered by the state under “basic education.” School districts must ask local taxpayers to consider renewing levies every four years to “fill the gap” in funding. This is necessary to sustain current programs for students and staffing. Levy funding serves the district’s local needs (and students) directly, rather than contributing to a larger state fund that is applied to school districts across the state. Levy elections require a simple majority (50% + 1 voter approval) to pass. 

If the levy measures do not pass, Tahoma School District would be required to make some difficult decisions to balance the district budget, which could include reductions in staff, programs, and services. Similar to if you were to lose 16% of your income, you'd have to make some decisions on how you budget at home and make adjustments to your spending. 

Districts have one chance to re-run a levy that fails, during that same year. While Tahoma School District has not had a double levy failure in recent history, districts that have failed twice have seen massive staff layoffs, significant cuts and elimination of programs, families taking their children to other districts or private schools, elimination of all sports and activities, lower test scores and serious problems attracting and retaining staff – just to name a few.