ABOUT THE LEVY
What It Funds
State funding doesn’t fully cover the cost of education.
The state provides funding for basic education, which is $132.6 million below what it costs to serve our students. Local voter-approved renewal levies bridge the gap between what the state funds and what the school district needs for our schools, classrooms and students.
The local EP&O Levy fills part of the gap accounting for about 15% of the school district’s funding. If approved by voters, the levy would provide about $6-10 million more per year to fund increased costs such as utilities, supplies, and services.
This comparison is based on the amounts listed on slide 10 of the 2026 EP&O Levy proposal presentation. The figures are intended to illustrate the approximate difference between collections at the current levy rate of $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the amount that would be collected if the proposed levy passes.
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This levy is not a new tax, it just replaces the previous voter-approved levy that is set to expire. It keeps existing funding in place for school security, bus transportation, sports, and mental health counselors. Without it, our schools face deeper cuts to programs that keep kids safe and engaged.
It will be on your ballot this General Election, and we need it to pass to keep funding our schools and the important classes, programs and activities that our students need.
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The levy helps fund programs and services that support students academically, socially, and beyond the classroom. These investments help provide students with the opportunities and support they need to succeed in school and prepare for their futures.
Levy funding can help sustain programs that support college and career readiness, student learning, enrichment, and other services that are not fully funded by the state. These programs help schools meet the varied needs of students and provide a more complete educational experience.
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Levy funding helps Kent School District employ additional teachers beyond the staffing levels funded by the state. These teachers help provide students with more instructional support and expand the district's ability to meet the needs of its diverse student population.
Local levy funding can help maintain the educators needed to provide instruction and support programs that go beyond the state's basic education funding. Keeping qualified teachers in classrooms also helps schools provide consistent instruction and support for students throughout the school year.
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Students need up-to-date instructional materials and teachers need ongoing professional learning to deliver high-quality instruction. Levy funding helps teachers deliver instruction that is aligned with students' academic needs and prepares them for future learning.
Training also gives educators opportunities to strengthen their instructional practices and respond to changing student needs. Keeping qualified teachers in classrooms also helps schools provide consistent instruction throughout the school year.
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School athletics give students opportunities to build teamwork, discipline, leadership, and healthy habits while connecting with their school community.
Levy funding helps support athletic programs and the staff, equipment, and operations needed to keep these opportunities available to students. Athletics also give students a structured way to develop relationships with peers and adults while representing their schools. Maintaining these programs helps ensure that extracurricular opportunities remain part of a well-rounded education.
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Arts and music programs give students opportunities to create, perform, collaborate, and develop skills outside traditional academic subjects.
Levy funding helps sustain access to these programs as part of a well-rounded education. Music, visual arts, theater, and other creative programs allow students to explore their interests while developing communication, creativity, and collaboration skills. These opportunities complement academic instruction and help students develop skills they can carry into college, careers, and their communities.
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Levy funding helps support the staff, services, and resources needed to serve students with disabilities. These investments help ensure students receive the individualized support and educational opportunities they need to succeed.
Supporting students with disabilities requires specialized staff, instructional resources, and services tailored to individual needs. Local funding can help provide additional capacity for these services when state funding does not fully cover the district's educational and operational needs.
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Getting students safely to and from school is an essential part of providing a public education, but state funding does not cover the full cost of school transportation. Levy funding helps bridge that gap and support reliable transportation for Kent students.
Transportation also helps students access the schools, programs, activities, and educational opportunities available across the district. Local funding helps the district maintain the transportation operations needed to get students to school safely and reliably.
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Technology is an essential part of today's classrooms, from student devices and instructional software to the infrastructure that keeps schools connected. Levy funding helps provide students and educators with the technology they need for teaching, learning, and communication.
Maintaining this technology also requires staff and ongoing operational support to keep systems working, secure, and available. Local funding can help schools keep pace with technology needs that extend beyond what state funding provides.
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Gifted education provides additional academic opportunities and support for students with advanced learning needs. Levy funding helps maintain programs that challenge these students and give them opportunities to develop their abilities.
Kent School District's Highly Capable program provides modified instruction for students who are ready to benefit from advanced or accelerated learning. These programs ensure students with advanced academic needs have opportunities to continue growing.
Chip in to support our students & schools!
We’re organizing a grassroots campaign of local parents, teachers, students and their families. Help us make sure the levy passes this November by contributing.