Levy 2024 Frequently Asked Questions

What does the operations levy specifically pay for?

Our replacement operations levy supports teaching and learning: pays for teachers; counselors; nurses and other staff; lowers class sizes; and provides arts, music, athletics and other programs for the whole child. It also funds other basic operations and programs such as safety, Special Education, Multilanguage Learner and highly capable; supports food services and wellness; pays for nurses and counselors; and supports field trips and Project Free Education.

What does the technology capital levy specifically pay for?

The technology capital levy is a fundamental part of our instructional program that pays for computers; classroom technologies; adaptive technologies for children with special needs; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) resources; career and technical education (CTE) supports; staff who maintain equipment and provide training; and software and curriculum licensing.

The tech levy also pays for school safety enhancements: security cameras, door locking systems, school wired/wireless networks; staff who implement and integrate technology and education of online safety, responsibility and digital citizenship.

Why do school districts run ballot measures in February?

Bellingham, along with all other districts in Whatcom County, have levies on the ballot for the special election February 13, 2024. Many districts, including ours, typically run measures in February because it coincides with our school year budget cycle. If the levies are approved, we get funding in 2025 to help us plan for the 2025-26 school year. Our most recent levies were approved in 2020, but the levy collection occurs 2021 through 2024.

How much money total will the school district collect?

For the replacement operations levy, we will collect approximately $31 million in 2021; $32 million in 2022; $33.5 million in 2023 and $35 million in 2024.

For the replacement technology capital levy, we will collect $16.7 million in 2021, $16.4 million in 2022; $16.3 million in 2023 and $16 million in 2024.

How do I do levy math? What about assessed value?  

Let’s say your home is valued at $600,000 value home and you want to calculate how much you’d pay in taxes in 2025. The estimated tax rate for school levies and bonds in 2025 is $2.94.

$600,000 / $1000 = 600

600 * 2.94 = $1764

In this example, you would pay about $1764 annually for school district taxes or $147 per month.

It’s important to keep in mind that the district collects a set amount of money from our community each year. This means you would not pay more if the value of your home goes up.

For example, in 2025, we would collect $37 million for the operations levy. We would not get more than $37 million even if all the homes in Bellingham were valued more than they are today.

What is the difference between a levy and a bond?

An easy way to remember the difference is that “levies are for learning and bonds are for building.” Levies can be used to support salaries, programs, software, hardware, curriculum, services and more. They can also be used for staffing that supports the application and implementation of technology. Bond dollars are restricted to our capital facility rebuilds and improvements and any other expenses related to our schools and buildings. We run our replacement levies every four years.

Can you explain 1:1 (one laptop per student)? What does that mean?

For the upcoming replacement tech levy, we are continuing our one-to-one (1:1) technology program, which provides one laptop per student, to support learning and prepare students for the future. Our current 1:1 technology model provides middle and high school students a device for classroom and take-home use. Each student in grades 3 to 5 uses classroom-based devices.

Some students already have and use personal devices, but many do not. Providing our students with mobile technology reinforces our commitment to equity. The tech levy also supports the upgrading and replacement cycle for devices. We believe greater access to technology will provide better efficiency, organization, collaboration and possibility for our students, teachers and families. Technology is not a replacement for great teaching; it is an important tool to enhance daily learning.

What are some examples of the state “not adequately providing funding” for Bellingham Public Schools?

School funding is complex. While we get funding from the state, it not adequate. Here are some key examples of where and how the state falls short:

• As a district, we pay for utilities and insurance across 22 schools and additional facilities (transportation, facilities, Central Kitchen, District Office, Community Transitions and Family Partnership). The state gives us money for these expenses, but the shortfall is $1.89 million. We rely on local levies to make up that shortfall.
• Here are other examples:
  • The state says teachers should receive a cost-of-living increase next year of 3.8%, which costs $5.9 million. The state only funds $3.4 million.
  • There is a $660,000 shortfall for substitutes.
  • The state does not provide funding for athletics and activities. For this current school year, we budgeted $3.6 million in our “28” account, which is for all extracurricular activities.

How do levies show on our current tax statement from the county?

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL #501 CAPITAL P and ENRICHMEN

What are current tax rates for 2024?

We just requested from the county the final tax rates for 2024 that will be published on property tax bills. For 2024, our combined tax rate is $2.94 per $1000 of assessed value.  That’s a combination of:

• Operations levy $1.18
• Technology levy $0.55
• Bond $1.21

I would like to see a break down Bellingham Public Schools’ combined rate of levies and bonds, both current and future.

Please see chart below. Feel free to call our finance department if you have questions at 360-676-6522. Keep in mind that proposed levy amounts are set but future levy rates are estimates. If assessed value goes up, then the rates would decrease.