FAQ

This is not a new tax. It renews an expiring local levy. This proposal renews the existing levy that is set to expire at the end of 2026.

Under state law, education and operations levy dollars may only be used to fund educational programs and operations not funded by the state’s basic education program funding.

The current EP&O Levy approved by voters was designed for flexibility if state lawmakers adjust the local levy rate limit. The initial limit set by the state was $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value, but the Legislature raised it to $2.50 in 2020. The renewal levy maintains the current $2.50 rate.

No, RSD does not get more money if property values increase. The total levy dollar amount that voters are asked to approve, is a fixed amount. Property taxes adjust based on the assessed value of a piece of property each year. If property values increase, the district still is only able to collect the voter approved maximum – no matter how much assessed values increase. As more homes are built in Richland School District boundaries, more property owners contribute to the total levy amount, which means that each property owner may pay less in levy taxes.

Learn more by visiting the 2026 Levy Rates & Taxes webpage.

State funding only covers what they define as “basic education,” but does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district or provide enrichment opportunities for students. Levies bridge that gap in funding.

This website, www.waschoolfunding.org, helps to put the scope of our state’s K-12 education challenges in context. This resource helps to clearly explain the issues creating financial pressure on K-12 school districts and the need for state funding allocations to reflect these increasing costs.  

Levies and bonds are both voter-approved measures that can be used to pay for needs not covered by a school district's typical state funding.

• Levies can be used to enrich district programs and operations beyond state funding. This can include paying for staffing costs, equipment, and arts and athletics programs. Levies may also be used to pay for modifications and renovations to facilities and design and development of future school district construction projects. Levies must be approved by a simple majority of voters to be implemented for between 1 to 6 years.
• Bonds may pay for construction of new schools and district facilities. They must be approved by a super majority (60 percent) of voters and are implemented for between 20 to 30 years.

Thank you to our community for your long-standing support of Richland School District bonds and levies!

Levies take a simple majority (50% +1) to pass, while bonds take a super majority (60%) to pass.

Local Effort Assistance (LEA) is a revenue that the state provides, if and only if the school district passes a levy. 

If the levy is passed, LEA will be the main driver the district intends to use to build back the fund balance which helps stabilize the district's budget.

Below is RSD's Statement of Apportionment for the 2024-25 school year from the State of Washington. The district received $5,263,679 in funding from the state from our previously approved levies.

Yes! There is assistance for low-income households. District residents should contact the Benton County Assessor’s Office about their eligibility for a property tax exemption or deferral.