You have questions, we have the answers. Below is information about Propositions 1 & 2 that will be on your absentee ballot for the February 8th election. Please drop us a note if you need further clarification on anything or have a specific question that was not addressed here.
Proposition One
Educational Programs
and Operations Levy
4-Year Levy, Simple Majority Needed
Proposition 1 will replace our current operations levy that expires at the end of this year. This critical levy provides basic funds to the district to bridge the gap between what the state provides and our current, high-quality educational program. These funds provide for additional teachers to lower class sizes, counselors, nurses, expanded honors, AP & elective programs, a robust performing arts program in grades 5-12, safety personnel, athletic programs, curriculum materials and other resources for our students.
Proposition Two
Safety, Technology and
Capital Improvements Levy
4-Year Levy, Simple Majority Needed
Proposition 2 will replace a prior levy that expires in 2022. This levy will fund technology, repairs to facilities and improvements to buildings and grounds including our athletic fields. Technology funds will go to instructional technology and the technology infrastructure that makes classroom computers and equipment work well for kids and staff. Facilities funding will support HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems and other essential repairs and improvements.
VOTE YES to Support Our Kids in UP!
What You NEED To Know
UPSD schools have a tradition of excellence made possible by community support.
UPSD operates award-winning schools with very high academic achievement in both literacy and math. The graduation rate in 2021 was over 94% and UPSD consistently posts the highest student achievement in our county on state exams. The district also provides great opportunities for kids to thrive through music, athletics, career/technical education, world languages and other progams. Local funding makes it all possible.
Supporting local, public schools in UP is a great investment
Investments in the school district lead to extraordinary results at a reasonable cost. UP schools rank first in achievement by most measures but cost less to operate than most neighboring districts (UP ranks 9th in per pupil spending in the county). UP schools are a great value for all UP citizens.
Levy funds help our most vulnerable and needy kids.
Local levy dollars allow us to fund programs for our neediest students in special education, in after school programs, in intervention courses and in summer school. Funds from levies also provide support to homeless students and students struggling with drug or alcohol problems.
UPSD is a destination district.
UPSD brings people to the community for school, events, programs and other activities. This is a stimulant to business and commerce in the city. It is also part of our strong reputation as a community and as a desirable place to live.
UPSD is the largest employer in the city with more than 700 staff members.
UPSD is good for business in the community and is also a source of employment for many citizens in U.P. About 400 UPSD employees live in University Place—your neighbors, friends and family members.
High quality schools strengthen the community and improve property values.
People are drawn to U.P. for the schools. A strong school system is a selling point for homes and realtors agree that our schools increase property values inside the district.
UPSD facilities including gymnasiums, fields, tracks, the pool, tennis courts and others are used by our community for recreation, exercise, sports and as gathering places.
Local levies support community use of these facilities. Ongoing local funding will allow the district to make improvements to these resources including the addition of field turf at one or more sites- including the lower field at CJH on Grandview Dr..
7 Reasons To Vote YES! On Propositions #1 and #2!
- Both Propositions replace expiring levies and are not new taxes. Voters approved both of these levies by large margins in 2014 & 2018, but they expire in 2022. We need to step up by voting YES to renew these key funding sources- just like our neighbors have for more than 30 years.
- Local school levies are a basic funding source for 98% of the school districts in Washington State. Proposition #1 provides about 15% of total annual revenue for the district. VOTE YES to continue this key funding source.
- Proposition #1 and #2 will help all kids in UPSD. VOTE YES to support students at all 8 schools in grades Preschool through 12th grade.
- The Educational Programs and Operations Levy (Proposition 1) funds programs our kids need and our citizens expect. These programs include athletics, music, performing arts, after school enrichment and summer school. The levy funds teachers, school safety personnel, counselors, nurses and support staff. Learn more about Propositions #1 here.
- The Safety, Technology and Capital Improvements Levy (Proposition 2) funds technology and helps repair, renovate and modernize facilities. Projects include improvements to HVAC, safety, electrical and plumbing systems, repairs to roofs, floors, grounds and outdoor facilities, and upgrades to technology infrastructure, student computers and instructional technology. Learn more about Proposition #2 here.
- UPSD schools provide great results at a great value. UP is typically well above average in student achievement at a relatively low cost when compared to other districts in Pierce County. In 2019, UPSD ranked 9th in per pupil spending with 8 districts spending more per student and 4 spending less. This means that citizens and parents get excellent results at a reasonable cost.
- Tax rates for these levies are the same as those approved by voters in 2018. This combined tax rate is estimated to be $3.00/$1,000 of assessed value. (Proposition #1- $2.50/ Proposition #2- $0.50)
Voters may submit absentee ballots on or before February 8, 2022. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in late January. Voter registration materials are available online at: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6572/Register-to-Vote
Question & Answer
Why do we still need levies?
Local levies provide critical funding for nearly every district in the state. They pay for teachers, counselors, safety personnel and other staff. These funds support music, athletics and many other basic programs that kids in UP need and deserve. Levies are also used to maintain our community’s school buildings, grounds and facilities and to purchase technology for kids to use. The state has changed the funding system to make sure levies are smaller, but they are still be needed.
Are these Propositions new taxes on UP residents?
NO. Both the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Safety, Technology and Capital Improvements Levy replace existing levies and are not new taxes. Both levies were approved by voters in 2018 and expire in 2022. UP voters have supported the Educational Programs Levy for more than 30 years and the Technology Levy since 2006.
How are local schools funded? Where does the money come from?
All school districts in the state are funded by a combination of state, local and federal revenue. Most funding comes from the state (about 75%) while local levies account for around 15%. The remaining funding comes from the federal government and assorted fees collected by the district. For the next two years (2022-2023), the district will get substantial federal money to pay for the costs of Covid19 mitigation/prevention and to provide extra resources for kids to help academic recovery. After two years, this funding source will stop.
How will property taxes be impacted by these levies?
Local property tax rates will remain the same. The combined tax rate for both levies is estimated to be about $3.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. Proposition #1 is estimated at $2.50/$1,000 of assessed value and Proposition #2 is $0.50/$1,000.
Does the district collect all of the money that voters approve in the levy?
NO. The district only collects the funds needed to run its programs. Each year, the district “rolls back” money to taxpayers when that money is not needed. The voter-approved dollars that are given back to citizens each year protect against state cuts to Local Effort Assistance or other revenue sources. The district has a long history of rolling this money back to taxpayers on an annual basis. Also, the state has set limits that control how much the district will collect. If voter-approved funding amounts exceed state limits, the dollars will be “rolled back”.
How do UP levies and costs compare to other districts?
In UPSD, our kids get a great education for a great value. Out of 13 districts in the county, UPSD rates 1st in achievement and 9th in per pupil costs. In other words, 8 districts spend more to provide an education for students than UPSD. UPSD has proven it can provide a great education at a reasonable cost. Taxpayers make a great investment by voting yes on levies.
Why do some districts have lower tax rates?
Some of our neighbors can collect more money with lower tax rates because total property values are higher. In other districts, state limits prevent them from collecting more. Voters need to know that districts with lower rates still collect more funding per student than UPSD. The rates in UPSD are very similar to many districts in the county and those with lower rates still collect more funding. Our kids deserve the same levels of support.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY- Proposition #1
How much of our overall district revenue comes from the Educational Programs and Operations Levy?
About 15% of the district’s revenue will come from the local Educational Programs Levy- down from more than 22% in earlier years. This is a substantial portion of total revenue and it funds essential people and programs to support our kids.
How much money will the district collect with Prop 1?
Local levy dollars support programs that are not funded, or underfunded, by the state. Levy funds are used in all eight of UP schools to:
- lower class sizes
- provide staff for safety and security
- provide books, textbooks, supplies, and other curriculum materials
- support music, art, world language, and other elective programs
- provide counseling and health support for students
- support the district’s athletic program in grades 5-12
- training for teachers and other staff
- community use of pool, fields, and other facilities
If we pass the Educational Programs levy will we get additional state funding?
YES. If voters approve this levy the district will automatically qualify to receive about $1,500,000 dollars in state Local Effort Assistance (or LEA). These funds are provided to districts with lower per-student property values, but only if the local levy is approved. LEA funding may cease in the years ahead as property values in UP rise.
SAFETY, TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LEVY – Proposition #2
How much money will the district collect with this levy?
Voter approval of the Safety, Technology and Capital Improvements Levy will authorize the district to collect between 2.5 and 3 million dollars per year for the next four years.
How is this levy different from the expiring Capital Levy?
Prop #2 is a much smaller levy and is used specifically for facilities and equipment. This funding source is needed to ensure that kids have up-to-date technology and that UP buildings and grounds are in good condition and benefit kids and community.
How are capital improvements levy funds used by the district?
Safety, Technology and Capital Improvements levy dollars are used to purchase, replace or repair equipment and/or facilities. These improvements include:
- Repair or replacement of HVAC systems
- Repair or replacement of siding & roofs at various facilities across the district
- Repair, sealing and/or resurfacing of parking lots and playgrounds
- Repair, upgrade and/or replacement of safety technology
- Repair, maintenance and replacement of classroom technology
- Improvements to mechanical systems such as electrical & plumbing
- Technology infrastructure to ensure computers, systems and other equipment run efficiently and are reliable
- Improvements to athletic fields including the installation of field turf at one or more sites.
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