FAQs about the Yelm EP&O levy on the November 3 ballot:

If approved, this levy would provide the funding necessary to maintain current student programs, services, activities, and athletics. 

Some examples of the programs and services the levy would maintain include:

• High school varsity and junior varsity athletics;  
• Current class sizes and class offerings, AP courses, and electives beyond the state requirements; 
• Extracurricular student activities like (FFA, CTE, Band, Choir); 
• Safety-related facility and grounds maintenance; 
• Essential operational technology and basic student technology needs; and
• Current staffing levels for health and safety such as nurses, health rooms, security, and school resource officers. 

If approved, the levy would also provide a limited amount of additional local funding that would allow the school board to reinstate a selection of instructional programs and student activities consistent with the strategic plan goals. The priority would be on programs and services that most directly support student achievement and engagement. 

Some examples of these priorities include:

• Student counselors and student behavior support;
• Safety and security services with an emphasis on the physical safety of our schools, fields, and educational facilities; and
• Some previously-reduced student activities.

If the proposed local levy does not pass on November 3, the school district cannot re-run the proposal this year. Yelm schools will not receive any local funding in 2027. 

If that happens, representatives from OSPI have informed us that the state is prepared to immediately move Yelm Community Schools from Binding Conditions into Financial Oversight. The state-appointed Financial Oversight Committee would then have authority to make decisions affecting the future of Yelm Community Schools, up to and including the possibility of dissolving or “breaking up” our school district. This would reduce the school board’s authority to make local decisions, which would represent a loss of what is often called “local control.” FAQs about the school district fiscal situation, state oversight and the potential for financial insolvency. 

Yelm Community Schools has spent all of its reserves and does not have any remaining budgetary cushions. In collaboration with staff, parent groups, and the community, we have covered as much of the state’s educational funding gap as possible for as long as we could. Reductions in educational programs and operations would be instituted as quickly as possible. Reductions would become progressively deeper next summer in preparation for operating without any remaining local resources.

Some examples of what is expected to happen without a levy include:

• At the end of this school year, programming beyond what is funded and mandated by state and federal law would be eliminated.
• Additional Reductions in Force (RIFs) would be unavoidable. Since 2024, as we have reduced programs and operations, we have reduced staffing by 163 positions. It is projected that another 80-90+ staff members would be laid off in order to bring Yelm’s staffing levels into alignment with what is covered by state and federal funding.
• This will cause class sizes to increase by an average of 5-10 students and class offerings to decrease.
• Additional reductions would be made in transportation, food services, maintenance and grounds, custodial services, and counseling support. 
• School athletics, clubs, and other before or after school student activities would be eliminated.
• May include closure of facilities for public use

Yelm Community Schools is like a family whose monthly income no longer covers all of its expenses. For a while, a family can use their savings account to make up the difference. But once the savings are gone, there are only two choices: bring in additional income or make much deeper cuts. That is where we are today. 

In collaboration with staff, parent groups, and the community, we have covered as much of the state’s educational funding gap as possible for as long as we could. Yelm’s schools have reduced costs wherever possible, utilized every available resource, brought in grants and other sources of revenue, and done our very best to minimize the negative effects of reduced funding levels. At this point, the school district has spent its reserves down to less than 1% and does not have any remaining budgetary cushions. 

Local resources are necessary for us to maintain local control of local priorities. Without a local levy to fill the gaps in state and federal funding, the state has informed us that they will appoint a Financial Oversight Committee that will have authority to make the decisions necessary to further reduce Yelm’s school programs to only those that are legally required and funded at the state or federal level. All athletic programs and student extracurricular activities as well as other locally-funded enrichment services and remedial supports would be eliminated. 

The board determined that this would put our students at a disadvantage when it comes to their academic achievement, preparation for college and career, and overall well-being compared to the 289 of 295 other communities in Washington State with local levies.

Can military-connected residents vote on the Yelm levy?

Yes. Military service does not prevent someone from voting in a local levy election. Eligible service members, spouses, and other adults registered to vote at an address within the Yelm Community Schools district may vote on the levy.

Why might some military-connected residents be unable to vote on the levy?

Some military-connected residents maintain their legal voting residence and voter registration in another state. They vote in elections associated with that residence and would not receive the Yelm levy measure on their ballot.

The deciding factor is the individual’s registered voting residence—not military status, homeownership, or where the person is physically located on Election Day.

Can spouses in the same military family register in different states?

Yes. Each spouse has an individual voting residence. For example, a service member may retain an established voting residence in another state while the spouse establishes Washington residency and registers at the family’s address within the Yelm Community Schools district.

In that situation, the spouse registered locally would receive the Yelm levy measure. The spouse registered in another state would not. Each voter must meet the applicable residency requirements and may not vote in more than one jurisdiction in the same election.

Can a district resident vote while stationed, deployed, or living overseas?

Yes. A qualified voter whose established Washington voting residence is within the Yelm Community Schools district may vote on the levy while temporarily away or overseas.

What assistance is available to qualified military and overseas voters?

Qualified military and overseas voters may:

• Register and request a ballot through 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
• Receive a ballot by mail, email, or fax.
• Return a ballot by mail, email, or fax.
• Use a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot if the regular ballot does not arrive.
• Track a Washington ballot through VoteWA.gov.

Ballots returned by email or fax must be received by 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time on November 3, 2026. Mailed ballots must be signed and dated by Election Day and received within the legally established post-election deadline.

Military-connected voters with questions about their voting residence, registration, or ballot should contact the elections office for the county in which their Yelm Community Schools voting address is located.

If the levy passes and enrollment remains steady, current projections indicate we would be able to maintain current levels of student programs, class sizes, course offerings, and school operations. This would also maintain the related staffing levels without needing any new reductions in force (RIFs). Any minor staffing adjustments that are needed could be accomplished through attrition. 

Without the levy, an additional $9.5 million in budget reductions would be necessary. The student program and school operation reductions that would be necessary to achieve that level of budget reduction are anticipated to require a RIF of 70-90+ staff positions. 

The tax rate for the proposed levy is estimated to be $1.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Historically, the actual tax rate has been lower than the estimated rate due to higher total assessed property value and the collection being shared with new business and residential property owners.

School levies are proposed as total dollar amounts, not tax rates. So when a community’s total assessed values change, the tax rate changes, too. 

If the community’s total assessed value goes up (through new construction and/or increased value of existing properties), the proposed tax rate will go down. This ensures that the school district collects only the amount approved by voters.

Many Yelm community members have asked school leaders to keep local taxes as low as possible. The proposed EP&O rate is as low as it can be while still qualifying Yelm’s schools to qualify for levy equalization funding from the state, maintain current educational programs and services, and provide local support for local priorities.

Levy equalization, also called Local Effort Assistance (LEA), is additional state funding provided to school districts with lower than average property values. Local communities that qualify for LEA must pass a local levy of at least $1.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value to be eligible for the full amount of assistance. Without a local levy, school districts lose access to these funds, essentially leaving those state dollars on the table. For more information, visit OSPI's webpage about LEA.

Here is a listing of local school districts and their tax rates: 

Thurston County Tax Rates
Pierce County Tax Rates

 

 

If the information on this webpage does not answer your questions, please reach out to Veronica Birdsong, Director of Finance, at veronica_birdsong@ycs.wednet.edu. 

Superintendent Chris Woods will share details about the school district’s budget, the proposed levy, and the potential local effects of additional state oversight. He’ll answer your questions and listen to your feedback. Our parent groups will provide refreshments. Join us!

• Thursday, September 24 at Southworth Elementary, 4:30 & 7:30 pm
• Thursday, October 8 at Lackamas Elementary, 4:30 & 7:00 pm 
• Tuesday, October 13 at McKenna Elementary, 6:00 & 7:30 pm

Superintendent Woods is happy to attend a group event, book club, or neighborhood gathering. He can talk about the levy, give an update on our district and schools, and/or answer questions. Reach out to Debbie Stillwell, debbie_stillwell@ycs.wednet.edu to invite him!

Seniors (61 or older) and disabled citizens who meet certain income requirements may be exempt from part or all of local school taxes. To learn more, contact your county assessor’s office. Thurston County: 360.786.2200 or Pierce County: 253.798.2169. 

A year ago, a cross-section of the Yelm community came together – including families of current students, community members without children in school, and staff. We reviewed data across our district to identify the most important areas to focus on in order to better prepare students to be successful beyond high school. The community identified 11 goals across 3 areas: learning, belonging, and community. That is the heart of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. Every one of the eleven goals is measurable and tied to specific metrics. Our schools have already begun to make progress on the goals. 

Without a local levy, our schools would become more limited in their ability to focus on these local priorities. For example: school attendance is directly tied to student achievement and is an area of focus within the strategic plan. If the proposed levy does not pass, there would be fewer office staff and school administrators. This would leave less staff time available to follow-up on student absenteeism, work with families to identify challenges, and provide support to improve the issue.

PROPOSITION NO. 1 – MAINTAIN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Yelm Community Schools, Thurston and Pierce Counties, Washington, providing for the submission to the voters of the District at a special election to be held on November 3, 2026, in conjunction with the State general election to be held on the same date, of a proposition authorizing an excess tax levy to be made annually for two years commencing in 2026 for collection in 2027 of $11,194,449 and in 2027 for collection in 2028 of $12,278,072, for the District’s General Fund to pay expenses of essential educational programs, extracurricular activities and operations; designating the District’s  Director of Finance and special counsel to receive notice of the ballot title from the Auditor of Thurston County, Washington; and providing for related matters.

Do renters pay the levy?

Renters do not pay the levy directly or receive a property-tax bill. The owner of the rental property is responsible for paying the levy based on the property’s assessed value.

Could the levy affect rent?

Property taxes are one of many expenses a landlord may consider when setting future rental rates. However, the levy would not create an automatic increase or a separate levy charge for renters.

Can renters vote on the levy?

Yes. Eligible voters registered at an address within the Yelm Community Schools district may vote on the levy, whether they rent or own their home.