Yelm Community Schools serves over 5,600 students in nine schools. Our goal is to ensure all students, starting in Pre-K, are on a path to graduation, continuing education, and work. 

The state does not fully fund education. To close the gap of funding, districts may only raise money through levies, bonds or fundraising. 

We ask our community to support the Educational Programs and Operating Levy that provides essential funding. Due to the failure of the levy, students are experiencing reduced services and staff support, increased class sizes and increased fees.  These reductions include administrators, teachers, para educators, nurses, counselors, social workers, outreach coordinators, special education supports, technology access, campus security/SROs, sports, clubs, arts, CTE, elective programming and instructional materials.

This is not unique to Yelm. Check out publications by other organizations:

• Issues at the Core of Washington State’s School Funding Dilemma - Published by Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA)
• BONDS & LEVIES: The Seeds of School Funding - Published by ESD 112 Communications

In the last 10 years, 13 school districts have experienced a double levy failure.  Twelve or 92.3% of those districts passed the levy measure the following year. (Source: DA Davidson)

State law only allows a levy to be put forward twice in a school year.  If the levy fails, the next opportunity to rerun the EP&O levy would be April 2025. RCW 84.52.053

The collection of the 2020 levy ends in December of 2024.  If a levy was passed in February or April of 2025, the first collection would be January of 2026.  The current levy loss will still have an impact on the 2025-2026 school year; however, a budget plan would be based on receiving funds starting January 2026.

The state funds about 78% of the district’s budget. While state funding covers many components of basic education, the state does not cover the full cost of special education, rising operational costs, staffing (such as administrators, teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, school nurses, para educators), and other important services to meet the needs of our students. 

The district works hard to secure grant funding to help reduce local community contributions. Even with the grants, levy funds are still critical to the operation of the district. Without the levy, additional cuts will be made to staff and materials related to instruction, arts & electives, health & safety, student supports, operations, technology, athletics and student activities.

The approved levy and local effort assistance (LEA) make up 14% of the district's total budget; specifically, it is used to maintain the district’s strategic goals and continue operations. The district generates funds through state and federal grants and other local non-tax revenue. 

The state provides 78%, federal dollars and grants contribute 7% and other local funds add 1%. 

Since the levy failure, the board had to create a “Reduced Educational Plan.”  Historically, we use levy funds to offset Special Education expenses that are not covered by federal and state funding. The district must subsidize special education funding by $2.6M, prioritizing these expenses in the general education budget for 2024-25 school year.

The budget was to be reduced by $15.5M.  However, the board reduced expenditures by $10M in order to keep most student activities & athletics, maintain safety related programs and address staffing costs. There is a two year impact to the levy loss requiring additional cuts in the 2025-26 school year.  If the levy passes, funds won’t be collected until January 2026.

Historically, funds were used for the following purposes. 

Teaching and Learning – 47%

• Administrators, Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Para educators and Support Staff
• Programs and materials such as Advanced Academics, AVID, Dual Credit, instructional technology, library programs, career center, textbooks/curriculum, STEM, summer school, Transitional Kindergarten and extended learning and support programs

Arts & Electives - 18%

• Art, Leadership, Music and World Language Programs
• Career and Technical Education

Health & Safety - 13%

• Counselors, Nurses, Social Workers and Outreach and Restorative Coordinators 
• School Security and School Resource Officers/SROs
• Reduction of Supplies and Materials

Operations & Technology – 11%

• Maintenance, Grounds and Technology Technicians 
• Reduction of Equipment and Materials/Supplies

Athletics & Activities - 11%

• Coaches, Advisors and Officials
• Equipment, Facilities, Supplies and Uniforms
• Transportation and Insurance

In order to bridge the gap between state funding and required educational expenditures, the board has approved the maximum rate of $2.50 per $1000 of assessed property value. 

The rate may be lower if the authorized levy collection amount is reached each year  (see chart below). This occurs when there is growth in the community and/or an increase in property values. These levy collection amounts are based on a conservative growth rate of 3% of assessed property valuation.

Use the tax calculator to estimate your tax rate based on the 3% projected property value growth.

In 2012, the Washington Legislature passed the McCleary Decision proclaiming that schools were now fully funded. It wasn’t until 2018 that the new funding formula took effect. At implementation, there were some ripple effects.

1. The legislature determined that there was some “regional” funding needed so districts would not lose funding.
2. The legislature was not prepared and has not increased funding to reflect the increasing costs of operations such as fuel, electricity, insurance, food costs and benefits.
3. The legislature removed the state salary schedule giving bargaining units for certificated and classified staff the opportunity to negotiate wages.  This put districts in competition with each other to attract and retain staff.

The only way to close the gap between state funding and these increasing costs is for local communities to approve various types of levies.

A recent article in the Seattle Times outlines the statewide issues, “Post McCleary, WA school funding doesn’t add up” (April 14, 2023)

Over the past six years, the state has changed the tax structure for schools through the McCleary decision.  In addition, YCS has paid off the 2000 bond and asked the community to support the 2019 bond.  Bonds are for building and cannot be used for learning and operations. The EP&O levies are to support learning.  The board has tried to limit the tax rate with conservative estimates of property value growth and is asking for less than the allowable amounts. 

The tax rate is based on a few variables. 

• Total amount the district requests in the levy
• Property values
• Growth in the community

The levy request for 2026-2029 estimates only 3% growth in property value and our community continues to grow which distributes the tax among more property owners.  While we state it will not be above $2.50 per $1000 of assessed value, historically it has been lower than projected as shown in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

No. The position of school board member is a voluntary role without any compensation.  Learn more on our website about our board of directors and the policies that guide their roles and responsibilities.

No. A levy is raised for a specific dollar amount. The school district cannot collect more money than what is approved by voters. As the community grows, taxes are shared across the overall community and may reduce the dollar per thousand of assessed property value.

In addition, a property owner’s tax rate will not be more than $2.50 per thousand assessed value if property value declines. The tax collection amount was based on a conservative estimate of 3% assessed value growth.

Use the tax calculator to estimate your tax rate based on the 3% projected growth.

Data below is reflective for 2023 based on data from the State of Washington, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and County Assessor Annual Report. Yelm is the third lowest at $3.19. Rates for 2024 have not been published as of November 17, 2024. (Source OSPI)

Visit Votewa.gov to register online before April 15 to get a ballot.  You can visit the county election office for Thurston County (360.786.5408) or Pierce County (253.798.8683) in person until April 22 to register and obtain a ballot.

Disabled persons or those 61 of age or older may be eligible for a tax exemption.  For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office Thurston County (360.786.2200) or Pierce County (253.798.6111) based on your residence.

Yelm is unique in that the district boundaries are in both Thurston and Pierce counties.  Those residents in Pierce County can vote on Yelm Community School related measures, and Pierce County collects funds for distribution to the district. The boundaries for Thurston and Pierce counties are identified by the state.

You can print a ballot online at Votewa.gov and mail it in. You may also call the county election office in Thurston County (360.786.5408) or Pierce County (253.798.8683) based on your residence.

All ballots are sent with a postage paid envelope and can be dropped in any postal box and will be counted if postmarked by April 23.

Thurston and Pierce Counties have secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the community and pick up ballots daily.  All ballots need to be dropped in by 8pm before the counties lock the boxes.

Thurston County Locations 

• Lackamas Elementary - 16240 Bald Hill Rd. SE; Yelm, WA 98597
• Nisqually Tribal Building - 4820 She Nah Num Dr. SE; Olympia, WA 98513
• Yelm District Office - 110 1st St. NE; Yelm, WA 98597

Pierce County Locations

• Roy City Hall - 216 McNaught Rd S, Roy WA 98580