In November 2022, Monroe School District will ask local voters to approve a renewal of the expiring School Program & Operations Levy.

The current four-year School Program & Operations levy (SP&O), which voters approved in 2018, is set to expire at the end of 2022. The renewal of the SP&O Levy would not be a new tax; it would be a renewal of an expiring levy that would continue to bridge the gap between what the state funds as "basic education" and the cost of all the programs, services, and essential staff the Monroe School District provides for its students.

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. Over 14% of Monroe School District's total budget comes from the local SP&O Levy.

A renewal of the four-year SP&O Levy would continue to fund many critical day-to-day operations, programs, services and essential staff, not fully funded by the state, including:

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

Monroe taxpayers are currently paying a tax rate of $1.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the SP&O Levy that will expire at the end of the 2022 calendar year. If the renewal is approved by voters in November 2022, the estimated tax rate of $1.71* per $1,000 of assessed property value will generate a maximum total amount of (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 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.

More information about the SP&O Levy, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found here.

General Ballot/Voting Information

• October 20: Local ballots mailed.
• October 31: Last day for voters to register or update information online.
• November 8: Election Day. 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.

Senior citizen and disabled persons exemptions

Senior citizens and disabled persons may qualify for a tax exemption. More information about tax relief programs is available on the Snohomish County Assessor's website, https://snohomishcountywa.gov or by calling 425-388-3433.