Bonds & Levies
2026 School Construction Bond & Renewal Education Levy
Monroe School District has two funding measures on the February 2026 special election ballot. These measures work together to ensure all students have access to updated learning supports, facilities, and technology. These measures include:
The School Construction Bond would fund school construction, safety & security upgrades, accessibility updates, modernization, and major maintenance projects designed to provide adequate, safe, modern facilities for our students and community. Bonds provide local funding for these projects, which are not funded by the state.
School Construction Bond Information
The renewal of the Educational Programs & Operations Levy would continue funding for educational programs, services, and staff that support the students of Monroe. This levy fills the gap between what the state provides and Monroe School District's operating costs. This is not a new tax; it renews the existing levy set to expire at the end of 2026.
Educational Programs & Operations Levy Information
Why do school districts need bonds and levies?
Public school districts in Washington rely on a mix of state, federal, and locally approved funding to operate schools and maintain safe, effective learning environments. While the state funds basic education, it does not fully cover many of the programs, staffing levels, services, or facility needs that communities expect from their local schools. Bonds and levies allow districts to fill these gaps.
School District Funding in Washington State
-
Washington State Funding - 75.26%
The state of Washington provides school districts with state funding for “basic education." Funding for basic education is based on a “prototypical school model” as defined by the Legislature. The Basic Education Act of 1997 set a formula for giving each of the state’s school districts a certain dollar amount for every Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student (or, each student attending school all day). For students who need extra services, such as Special Education programs, Highly Capable Programs, or Multilingual Education, there are state and federal formulas for additional dollars.
-
Local Funding - 15.51%
Because the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual full costs to operate, school districts often utilize bonds and levies to bridge the funding gap. Both bonds and levies must be approved by the voters and are based on local property valuations. Property owners pay a set amount for each $1,000 of their assessed property values. Once approved, levy and bond amounts cannot be increased. When community property values increase, the amount paid per $1,000 decreases. There are exemptions for senior citizens who meet income requirements.
-
Federal Government Funding - 4.17%
The federal government provides financial support for high-poverty schools and students who require additional resources in order to obtain a fair, equitable, high-quality education. Federal dollars pay for a percentage of programs including Vocational Education, Special Education, Native American Education, English Language Acquisition, Disability and Nutrition as well as special grants.
-
Other Sources - 5.06%
Other sources of revenue include revenue from other school districts and other local government agencies.
Why State Funding Isn’t Enough
The state’s definition of “basic education” is limited. It does not fully fund areas such as transportation, student support services, school safety, extracurricular programs, technology, or the level of staffing needed to meet student needs and keep class sizes low. Districts must use local levy dollars to sustain these essential services and maintain the quality of education that families rely on.
The state also does not provide districts with funding for facility needs, such as building new schools, major maintenance projects, modernization, or safety and security upgrades, so districts rely on voter-approved bonds to fund these needs.
What is the Difference Between a Bond & a Levy?
Simply stated, levies are for learning, and bonds are for building. Bonds and levies are local property taxes passed by the voters of a school district that generate revenue to fund programs, services and projects that the state does not pay for as part of “basic education.”
What Bonds & Levies Have Recently Been Approved in Monroe?
In the Monroe School District, we are very grateful to voters for their ongoing support of school levies and bonds. The children of our community benefit every day from the resources provided by you, the voters.
In recent years, our community has graciously approved the following bonds & levies to fund many vital programs, construction projects and learning experiences for our students:
2014 - Tech Levy 2015 - Bond 2022 - EP&O Levy