Frequently Asked Questions

When is the OSD Technology and Safety Replacement Levy Election?

The Technology and Safety Replacement Levy proposal will be on the February 8, 2022 Special Election ballot.

 

How do I register to vote?

There are several ways to register to vote, including online, by mail or in person. View voter registration deadlines for the February 8, 2022 Special Election on the Thurston County Elections Division website.

Where can I vote?

This Special Election is mail-only. Ballots will be mailed in mid-January, 2022. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day on February 8, 2022 or dropped off postage-free in ballot drop boxes located throughout the Olympia School District. For a list of ballot drop box locations, visit the Thurston County Elections Division website.

How much funding will the levy generate for schools?

The levy would raise an estimated $52.4 million over four years (2023-2026).

 

  • 2023: $11,887,000
  • 2024: $13,314,000
  • 2025: $12,875,000
  • 2026: $14,351,000

 

What would the replacement levy pay for?

 

Is this a new tax?

No, the proposed replacement levy is not a new tax. The measure on the February 2022 ballot would replace an expiring four-year Technology and Safety Levy approved by Olympia School District voters in February 2018.

What is the estimated Technology and Safety Replacement Levy tax rate?

The estimated rate depends on the final dollar amount of assessed value of the property within the school district. As of November 4, 2021 when the school board passed the levy resolution, based on information provided by the County Assessor’s office, the estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation is:

 

  • 2023: 92 cents
  • 2024: 98 cents
  • 2025: 90 cents
  • 2026: 94 cents

 

How do the estimated tax rates compare to the last Technology and Safety Levy and the overall (combined) tax rate from all voter-approved levies and bonds?

The estimated rates for the proposed Technology and Safety Replacement levy represent between a 1 and 18 cent increase per $1,000 of assessed valuation compared to the Technology and Safety Levy approved by voters for 2019-22. While the tax rate associated with the new Technology and Safety Replacement Levy would be slightly higher, the combined estimated district tax rate from all voter-approved levies and bonds would be lower than historical rates.

 

On an average home valued at $423,000, the tax rate of the new Technology and Safety Replacement Levy drives an average tax bill increase of $57 per year compared to the current Technology and Safety Levy.

 

If average home value increases by 5.7% per year, then the annual tax bill increase is an average of $117 per year over the current levy. (In this example, 5.7% is used because this is the average increase across the last 10 years).

 

The combined OSD voter-approved tax rate would decrease in each of the four years of the proposed replacement levy when compared with the current tax rate. For example, the 2021 combined tax rate is $4.94 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; the rate in 2023 is estimated at $4.47 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

For a detailed tax rate projection analysis across several years, please view a Tax Rate Projections presentation shared at the November 4, 2021 Olympia School Board meeting. The analysis includes a summary of the amount a homeowner would pay in taxes for this measure. It also provides a detailed historical summary of other voter-approved measures.

Didn’t school districts receive emergency pandemic funding and, if so, why do we still need a levy?

School districts are receiving federal COVID-19 relief dollars through the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. These are not ongoing funds. They are one-time funds to cover expenses associated with the pandemic; funds expire on August 31, 2023. Further, there are restrictions on how ESSER funds can be spent.

Are there tax exemptions for low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities?

Yes. Low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for a tax exemption. For more information, visit the Thurston County Assessor’s website, or call the county Assessor’s Office at (360) 867-2200.

How many votes are required by state law to pass a school levy?

School levies require a majority vote — 50 percent plus one, to pass.

Where can I get more information about the school district’s proposed Technology and Safety Replacement Levy?

Specifics about the ballot measure are included on this district website. In addition to this Frequently Asked Questions webpage, you may visit the Levy 2022 webpage for a summary of information and other related links to webpages that address Voter Registration and information about tax rate and cost. For additional information, contact the Olympia School District Communications and Community Relations department at (360) 596-6103.