Districts receive funding from three main sources.

• Local levy funding totals 15% of the Kent School District’s annual budget and supports student academics and programs, staff, and operational costs unfunded or underfunded by the state.   

• State funding provides most of the district’s budget at 77% and is based on student enrollment. These dollars are used for staff salaries, materials, and operating costs, and supplemental funding for students with specific needs, such as those in special education and gifted programs. 

• Federal funding totals 8% of our annual budget and goes towards a variety of programs like academic assistance, meals, family engagement, and multi-lingual supports. 

Did you know state funding doesn’t cover the full cost of education?

Washington State only provides funding for basic education, and does not fully fund school and student needs like sports, arts, and counselors. Additionally, school funding has declined by almost 10% of the overall state budget in the last few years.

Local voter-approved renewal levies bridge the gap between what the state funds and what students actually need in classrooms. Levies pay for student safety, technology, special education, athletics, arts, music, infrastructure, adequate school buildings, and more.

These funds ensure equitable opportunities for all students, and every dollar stays in Kent School District schools. Passing Proposition 1 this election is essential to ensure we can continue providing a high-quality education for our students.

If approved, the 2026 Replacement EP&O levy will provide funding for Kent School District over four years. The levy will be collected as follows:

• 2028: $104.7 million

• 2029: $111.1 million

• 2030: $115.7 million

• 2031: $121.4 million

An EP&O levy is a voter-approved property tax that provides local revenue for schools. Washington State provides funding for basic education, but not all services and programs are fully covered.

School levies allow districts to continue providing student programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities, staffing, and operational expenses beyond what the state provides.

The 2026 EP&O levy is a renewal levy, which means it would continue funding rather than create a new tax. 

The levy will appear on the November 2026 General Election ballot.

Ballots will be mailed in mid-October and must be returned by Election Day on November 3 at 8:00 p.m.

If approved, levy collections would begin in 2028, following the expiration of the current levy.

Voters approve a fixed dollar amount—not a tax rate. If approved, the 2026 Replacement EP&O levy will authorize Kent School District to collect a set amount each year.

The estimated levy rates are:

• 2028: $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value

• 2029: $1.93 per $1,000

• 2030: $1.88 per $1,000

• 2031: $1.84 per $1,000

These tax rates are estimates and may change based on the total assessed value of property in the district. If property values increase, the tax rate typically decreases so the district collects only the voter-approved amount. The district cannot collect more than the amount authorized by voters.

To help voters understand the impact of tax measures on their property tax rate, as well as their final tax bill, King County has developed the Tax Transparency Tool.

• Calculates the estimated cost of property tax measures for each piece of property within the taxing district proposing the tax measure.  

• Voters can look up the properties they own. 

• Includes a link to the King County Elections website where voters can review the language of the ballot measures. 

Levies and bonds serve different purposes. 

Levies fund learning and operations: staffing, classroom programs, student services, and daily school functions. A levy must be approved by voters every four years. 

Bonds fund buildings and construction: new schools, modernizations, and major capital projects. A bond is voted on when specific facility needs must be met. 

Levy dollars support student programs not fully funded by the state, such as:

• Student enrichment programs

• Textbooks, curriculum, and teacher training

• Additional course offerings for students

• Athletics

• Arts and music

• Special education

• Bus transportation (not fully funded by the state)

• Building and grounds maintenance (not fully funded by the state)

• Computers and technology

• Gifted education programs

• Community use of facilities

• Instructional assistants in classrooms

• Teacher pay, for additional teachers above the state minimum

No. When property values increase, the district’s total levy amount stays the same. That means the levy rate goes down, ensuring the district doesn’t receive a windfall from rising property values.

No, the EP&O levy is not tied to enrollment.

Its purpose is to keep schools stable and ensure the programs, services, and staffing our students rely on remain in place, regardless of year-to-year enrollment fluctuations.

The EP&O Renewal Levy is about sustaining the programs, staff, and operations that support our students.