Levy FAQ

Levies are for learning and bonds are for building. 

A levy, which the Mead School District has run on a three-year cycle, is used for essential services, programs and activities that are not funded by the state and are critical for providing a well-rounded and comprehensive education.

A bond is used to build, renovate or modernize schools and cannot be used toward educational programs or operations. Bonds, similar to a home mortgage, represent a debt that is generally amortized over a much longer period of time (15, 20, or even 25 years). 

Levies provide local funding that bridges the gap between what the state provides districts to operate schools and the actual costs of operating a school district. Yet, in addition to supplementing day-to-day operational costs, the levy also provides funding for a number of valued programs and people. In fact, ALL of the district's athletics, activities, and performing arts programs are funded solely by levy dollars (find more information about levy funded programs and personnel HERE). Our superintendent likes to say, "There are the schools our state funds and the schools our community wants and expects. Basic Education Funding provided by our state is just that – funding for a very BASIC education." Levies make up about 13.6% of the district's total operating revenue.

It's important to note that when a school district passes a local levy, it activates equalization dollars from the state called Local Effort Assistance (LEA). If a district does not pass a local levy, it loses access to additional funding in the form of LEA dollars that enhance student access to educational enrichments.

The Mead School District has had a levy in place for more than 40 years. 

Levy Facts Packet (Printable PDF)

The estimated levy tax rate for Mead School District would be $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a $500,000 home, that equals $1,250 per year or about $104 per month.

This levy is not a new tax. It will replace the existing levy (passed in 2021) that expires in 2024.

The estimated levy tax rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation is also lower than in 2018 and prior years. 

Mead School District Tax Rate History

The current levy funds many different areas that fall outside of state-funded basic education, including items our community has come to expect of the Mead School District:

• Extra-curricular activities (sports, music and clubs)
• Elective courses, staff for smaller class sizes, career-track and work-based learning opportunities
• Student support (nurses, para educators, counselors and social workers)
• More here...

Throughout recent years, the Mead School District has conducted a combination of surveys, focus groups and community engagement meetings with both staff and community members. The feedback gained has directly informed the District's strategic plan and top priorities for continuing to develop a well-rounded education. In addition to extra-curricular activities, elective courses, staff for small classes sizes and student support staff, levy resources help fund our community-driven strategic priorities such as:

• Access to mental health support for our students
• Increased emphasis on building a talent pool for local industry and beyond through partnerships
• Choice programs at the elementary level

The Mead School District's total estimated bond and levy tax rate will now be an estimated $3.65 (adding in the estimated bond rate of $1.15). Based on available data, this total tax rate (bond and levy combined) is estimated to among the average of other area school districts.

The chart below shows both the current bond rate, the EP&O Levy rate, and the combined total tax rate in the Mead School District. The tan segment of each bar depicts changes in the bond rate over time and the green segment of each bar depicts fluctuations in the Educational Programs and Operations Levy rate. The current proposal to increase the levy rate to $2.50 (in 2025) represents an $0.86-cent increase above the current levy rate; that said, we expect the bond rate to decrease by approximately $0.20 cents over the next year to $1.15. Thus, actual tax rate increase in 2025 is expected to be approximately $0.66 cents more than the current total tax rate.

If property values go up, the tax rate is adjusted downward. The school district cannot collect more than the total amount approved by voters. Increases in property values do not generate more revenue for the school district.