This replaces the expiring levy approved by voters in 2020. The levy accounts for 16 percent of the district’s overall budget.

The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy is needed to maintain programs at our local schools. The levy funds day-to-day operations, programs, and staff and student resources that are not fully funded by the state. Some examples include: 

Teachers, books and basics

• Additional teachers, nurses, counselors, mental health supports, librarians, paraeducators, safety officers, and special education staff, equaling about 216 staff members

• Up-to-date textbooks and instructional materials including math and reading

Health, Safety and Security 

• Maintenance of school plumbing, heating and ventilation systems for clean air and safe water

• Maintenance of aging or deteriorating roofs and earthquake safety 

• Maintenance of schools, playgrounds and athletics facilities to meet safety standards

• Improvements to school safety and security, maintenance of fire alarm and sprinkler systems and emergency preparedness

Education Programs for All Students

• Special needs programs for students and improved accessibility for students and staff with disabilities

• K-12 educational programs, including those to bring students up to grade level standards in reading and math, increased opportunities for all students to take advanced coursework, and planning for post-secondary success

• Arts, music, athletics and extracurricular activities

This levy provides technology access, improvements, and security upgrades for all K-12 teachers, staff and students.

Access to Technology 

• Expanded classroom technology improvements at all elementary, middle and high schools

• Access and computers for all K-12 students and staff to use at school, and staff and secondary students at home

• Staff training and up-to-date software and online learning tools for students and teachers

Up-to-date Tools for Teaching and Learning

• Replaces outdated classroom computers for teachers and students

• Supports technical training of computer systems for teachers and students

• Maintains licenses and internet access for students and teachers, and expands wireless network

• Upgrades high-speed internet access and other IT system improvements

Safety, Security and Privacy Protections

• Increases cybersecurity privacy protection for students, teachers and staff

• Maintains security cameras, school access control, video and audio security entrances at buildings, intercom and phone systems for all-school alerts and emergency notification

The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy would be collected in calendar years 2025 through 2029.

The Replacement Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Levy would be collected in calendar years 2025 through 2031.

Proposition 1 Educational Programs & Operations Replacement Levy: The average levy increase in a four-year levy would be $11.31 a month ($136 annually).

Proposition 2 Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Replacement Levy: The average levy increase in a six-year levy would be $1.26 per month ($15.08 annually).

Proposition 1 Educational Programs & Operations Replacement Levy is a four-year levy that would generate an average* of $43.7 million annually with a levy rate between $2.48 and $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Proposition 2 Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Replacement Levy is a six-year levy that would generate an average* of $6.5 million annually with a levy rate of $0.37 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

*The average home value in four years is $591,901. The average home value in six years is $613,682.

2024 levy amount:
-Prop. 1: $2.08 per $1,000 assessed value
-Prop. 2: $0.27 per $1,000 assessed value

2023 levy amount:
- Prop 1: $1.98 per $1,000 assessed value
- Prop 2: $0.27 per $1,000 assessed value

The cost of the school levies is based on your assessed property value. This is different from what your home is worth or what you paid for your home. Assessed values are often far less than the sale price of a home. To calculate your annual cost, take your Assessed Property Value (AV), divide it by $1,000, and multiply it by the estimated levy rate.

A replacement levy is a local tax that replaces a levy that has expired. Levies expire after a defined length of time. State law allows educational programs and operations levies to be in effect for up to four years, and capital levies for up to six years.

In Sumner-Bonney Lake, voters approved a six-year Replacement Instructional Technology Improvements levy in 2018, and a four-year Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy in 2020.

Both levies are currently funding their intended purposes and each expires at the end of 2024.  

SBLSD has placed the Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy and the Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Replacement Levy on the Feb. 13, 2024, ballot.

A levy is a short-term local property tax passed by the voters of a school district. State law allows up to four years for an Educational Programs & Operations Replacement Levy to be in effect. It allows up to six years for a capital levy, such as the Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Replacement Levy. 

SBLSD’s propositions on the Feb. 13, 2024, ballot are asking for the maximum allowed:

• Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy: Four years

• Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Replacement Levy: Six years

2021
Voter Authorization: $28 million
Actual Collection: $25 million

2022
Voter Authorization: $32.5 million
Actual Collection: $26.2 million

2023
Voter Authorization: $38 million
Actual Collection: $28.6 million

2024
Voter Authorization: $45 million
Estimated Actual Collection: $32 million

There are three ways to register:

• Online: You can register online, 24 hours a day, at VoteWA.gov 

• By mail: Download and print a voter registration form and mail it to Pierce County Elections

In person: At the Pierce County Elections Office in Tacoma

The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is 8 days before the election. The deadline to register in-person is on election day by 8 p.m.

You can return your ballot by mail or by drop box anytime during the 18-day voting period. Remember to sign your return envelope before returning your ballot. No stamp required.

If you return your ballot by mail, make sure it is postmarked by election day, Feb. 13, 2024.

Ballot drop boxes are open 24/7 during the 18-day voting period. Click here to find a drop box near you. Make sure you return your ballot to a drop box by 8 p.m. on election day, Feb. 13, 2024. No stamp required.

Yes, some senior and disabled homeowners may be eligible for a property tax exemption, based on income. For details, call the Pierce County Assessor Treasurer’s Office at (253) 798-2169 or visit their website.

In all 295 school districts in Washington state, local levy dollars fill the gap — 16 percent of SBLSD’s operating budget — between the amount of money the state allocates and what it takes to provide a full and rich learning experience in safe and secure schools for our local students.

By law, Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) or program levies can only be proposed for a maximum of four years. Public school districts may choose to run levy ballots for one, two, three or four years. However, after the allotted number of years, the levy expires. Districts return to their voters to ask for a replacement of levy dollar support. Generally, the levy you are voting on simply replaces one that is about to expire.