Two Replacement Levies for Kennewick Schools

The primary sources of school funding for Washington’s public schools come from state and federal grants, state funding and local community funding measures (levies and bonds). Levies fill the gap between state funds and the real cost of providing the services that help students grow and thrive.

School levies help pay for the programs, services and staff the state does not fund or fully fund under “basic education.” School levies fill the gap between state funding and the district’s operating costs.

Both measures on the February 2026 ballot are replacing existing levies previously approved by voters which expire at the end of 2026. These are not new levies.

Each levy has a dedicated purpose. The EP&O Levy pays for educational programs and services such as athletics, extracurricular activities and clubs, support staff, student safety staff and programs and much more. The Safety, Security and Information Technology Levy pays for safety, security and information technology, such as student access to technology and safety and security enhancements to our facilities.

State match dollars, also called Local Effort Assistance dollars (LEA), are contingent on enrollment and the voter approved levy rate. If the EP&O levy is approved, the current LEA match rate is projected to be an additional $66 million from the state.

Many extracurricular student opportunities are funded entirely by the EP&O levy. The state does not provide funding for athletics or extracurricular activities. The levy pays for these programs in Kennewick schools, including funding for coaches, advisors and transportation to events.

The total proposed collection amount over four years is $128.5 million for the EP&O Levy and $42.1 million for the Technology Levy.

No. Levies are a total amount to be collected, not a tax rate. Kennewick School District can only collect the total collection amount approved by voters and no more.

Local levy dollars, combined with the state matching funds, account for approximately 13% of Kennewick School District’s annual budget.

Yes. This maximum dollar amount is known as the “levy lid.” As part of the changes the Legislature made to the way the state funds education in Washington, also known as the “McCleary decision,” levy rates are capped at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A levy may not collect more than $2,500 per student maximum, a dollar threshold which is adjusted annually based on inflation.

Great schools benefit everyone, whether or not you have school-aged children attending. Our schools are an investment supported by past tax dollars and benefit the entire community both directly and indirectly.

Yes! Washington State law provides two tax benefit programs for senior citizens and individuals who are disabled: property tax exemptions and property tax deferrals. For more information on qualifications, please contact the Benton County Assessor's office at (509) 786-5620.

You can find voting information or register to vote online at votewa.gov. Ballots will be mailed January 21. Ballots must be returned in a drop-box or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

• You must be a U.S. citizen. 
• You must be a resident of Washington state. 
• You must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
• You must be registered to vote. Register at vote.gov.
• You must not be disqualified from voting.