Levy Facts

Thank you voters message

On February 13, 2024, voters within our school district boundary weighed in on two specific funding measures for their local schools: levies. These levies will continue the funding provided by two previous levies that will end on December 31, 2024. The first is for Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O), which covers various school expenses, and the second is a Capital Levy for Technology, Health, and Safety.

To inform residents, this brochure explaining the levies was mailed to all homes in the Camas School District on January 26, the same day that voting ballots were sent out from the Clark County Elections Office.

Cover page of the levy mailer sent home to residents.

How much will be collected?

The four-year levy will collect the following amounts. The amount collected cannot increase over the four years.

A chart showing collection rates and amounts.

EP&O LevyTechnology/Capital Levy
The EP&O Levy Enriches Basic Education

Levy dollars are pooled with state funds to pay for programs and services that the State doesn’t fully fund. They also provide opportunities beyond basic education. The levy enables the district to supply technology to students, offer a variety of electives, maintain facilities, and provide staff that enhance learning experiences and coach athletics and activities.

Educational support

  • Teachers and support staff
  • Transportation and crossing guards
  • Music and art
  • Elective classes
  • Health services
  • Drug prevention education
  • Professional development
  • Substitutes

Building maintenance and operations

  • Asset preservation
  • Grounds and building maintenance
  • Custodial supplies and equipment
  • Facilities improvements
  • Utilities and insurance

Student learning and activities

  • Athletics and after-school activities
  • Coaches and advisers
  • Textbooks and curricula
  • Social-emotional learning
  • AP programs
  • Highly Capable

Special education services

  • Special education teachers
  • Special education assistants
  • Instructional materials and supplies
Financia chart

 

The Capital Levy for Technology, Health and Safety

The existing Capital Levy accounts for about 98% of all our hardware and software purchases. We also have ongoing capital maintenance needs that keep our students dry (roofs), warm (boilers), and safe (turf replacement). The breakdown of our Capital Levy investment is as follows:

  • Technology $9.3M:  Computers, Chromebooks, security cameras, other hardware, and software
  • Roofs $6.0M: Camas High School – Phase II and Liberty Middle School Phase I
  • Boilers $700k: Camas High School
  • Turf Replacement $1.3M:  Cardon Field and Doc Harris

 

Frequently Asked Questions
What positions does the levy fund?
The levy funds staffing above what the state provides funding for.  This includes additional counselors, librarians, and Special Education teachers.  It also pays for additional paraeducators, secretaries, security staff, grounds and maintenance, bus drivers, technology staffing, substitute teachers, and school nurses.
Why do we need to have local levies? I thought the state was supposed to fund our schools.
The state does not fully fund the programs and services we must provide and how we enhance our current programming. For example, the state funds 85% of our special education programs, and we receive no funding to support extracurricular activities like sports. Approximately 15% of the district’s annual funding comes from local levy dollars.
Does the levy support extracurricular programs?
Yes, 100% of the staff who manage extracurricular programs, such as coaches, band teachers, and club leaders, are levy-funded.
What would happen if the levy failed?
The programs and positions funded by the levy would face elimination or heavy staffing reductions, including teaching positions, classroom support, school sports, music, art, counseling, safety, and nursing.
Resources

ESD 112: Core issues with school funding in Washington State

The Columbian: ‘Critical amount of money’: Camas School District replacement levies to be on February ballot