Monroe School District will ask voters to renew the expiring Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy in the February 2026 special election. 

The current four-year EP&O Levy, approved by voters in 2022, will expire at the end of the 2026 calendar year. The proposed renewal would not be a new tax; it would continue the existing levy that helps bridge the gap between what the state defines as “basic education” and the full cost of the programs, services, and staff that support Monroe School District students every day.

School districts rely on voter-approved funding measures to cover costs not funded by the state to provide all students with a well-rounded education. In the Monroe School District, over 15% of the total budget comes from the local EP&O levy.

The Renewal EP&O Levy helps fund the following:

• Athletics and extracurricular activities 
• Additional staff beyond what the state provides funding for, such as nurses, counselors, paraeducators, and custodians
• Additional teachers beyond what the state provides funding for, to help keep class sizes low
• School safety and security
• Student transportation
• Technology updates, such as student Chromebooks 
• Professional learning for staff
• Operations and building maintenance costs
• Supplies and materials

Monroe taxpayers are currently paying a tax rate of $1.52 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the EP&O Levy that will expire at the end of 2026. If voters approve the renewal, the estimated rate will be $1.73* per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2027, generating the following maximum dollar amounts (middle column below):

*The estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed property value are based upon information provided by the Snohomish County Assessor's Office at this time. The exact levy rate to be collected shall be adjusted based upon the actual assessed value of the property within the Monroe School District at the time of the levy.

The total levy amount approved by voters is a fixed dollar amount. Even if property values increase, the district can collect only the voter-approved total. As more families move into the district, the tax burden is shared across more property owners, often resulting in a lower tax rate per household.

For example, the 2022 voter-approved estimate for the 2025 tax year was $1.73 per $1,000, but the actual rate was $1.52 due to community growth and rising assessed property values.

School Construction Bond

The Monroe School Board will also be asking voters to consider a School Construction Bond measure on the February 2026 special election ballot. The proposed bond would fund projects designed to provide adequate, safe, modern facilities for our students and community. 

There will be two measures on the ballot because state funding does not fully fund all educational and facility needs. School districts rely on voter-approved bonds and levies to bridge those gaps. Bonds are for building; they fund construction, modernization, and major facility improvements. Levies are for learning; they support programs, services, and staff essential to student success.

Learn More

To learn more about both the School Construction Bond and the EP&O Levy, all community members are invited to attend our Bond & Levy Kick-off Event on Thursday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Park Place Middle School. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.

You can also learn more about the School Construction Bond on our website: www.monroe.wednet.edu/bond2026

General Ballot/Voting Information

• January 23: Local ballots mailed
• February 2: Last day for voters to register or update information online
• February 10: Election Day! The last day for voters to register or update voter information in person. Ballots must be postmarked by midnight or dropped off at the secure ballot drop box at the Monroe Library at 1070 Village Way, Monroe, by 8 p.m.