A school levy is a local tax that helps pay for things that the state and federal budgets don't cover. This can include extracurricular activities like music and athletics, programs like special education, and the salaries of over 100 staff members.

Ferndale, like every district in the state, receives funding from state and federal sources, but also relies on local, voter-approved levy to ensure our students, schools and staff have what they need. The levy helps bridge the gap between what the state funds and what we need to educate our students.

All levy funding approved by Ferndale School District voters stays in our school district. We are asking just for what we need to continue and maintain the current level of services and programs for students.

The levy renewal will continue funding for:

School staff. The levy continues funding for positions that support students' well-being, including psychologists, nurses, counselors, behavior support teams and paraeducators, beyond what the state funding allocates. It also funds bus drivers, coaches, maintenance staff, custodians, front office staff, and more. In total, 102 staff positions are levy funded.

Academic programs. The levy funds special education, advanced learning, smaller class sizes, and the 8-period high school schedule, which allows students to take more elective classes.

Technology to help ensure equitable access to online support for all students. The levy continues funding to ensure all students in grades 6-12 have their own devices during the school year. It also ensures that students in grades K-5 have access to a device at school.

 Student services and opportunities. Through levy funding, students have access to athletics, music, drama and clubs like Math Olympiad, robotics club and after-school tutoring.

The levy is not a new tax, rather it is a continuation of funding that directly supports Ferndale students. We are conscious of the cost of this levy on our community and are asking for the bare minimum to support our students and schools.

If approved, the levy tax rate will remain at a low rate.

*Future tax rates are estimates, rates are per $1000 assessed property value per year. Levy amounts do not change. The estimated tax rate could change if assessed property value changes more or less than estimates, but the EP&O rate is capped by the state at $2.50 per thousand.

No. Levies are for learning. Bonds are for building. 

K-12 education is not fully funded by the state of Washington. Districts like ours receive funding from state and federal sources, but they also rely on local, voter-approved funding measures. 

Levies help fund day-to-day operations of the district and bridge the funding gap to cover academic programs, technology and additional staff. 

Voter-approved bonds, which need 60 percent approval, are used to fund major construction projects, which are not funded by the state. In 2019, our community passed a bond to modernize Ferndale school buildings including a new Ferndale High School. That bond funding can only be used for voter-approved school building projects. 

The funding raised from bonds and levies stay in our district to support our students, staff and schools.

The levy is NOT a new tax, it replaces a levy that will expire in December 2024. This is a four year levy. If not renewed, funding goes away.

Levy funds are separate and only go towards education. They don't take away from other community services, like Whatcom County Fire District 7.

The new levy would not take effect until Jan 1, 2025, but we need to know our funding before the fiscal year begins in September 2024 to determine which staffing and programs we have the budget for.  Our school district fiscal year is September through August.

While grants are helpful, they can't cover everything. They're often for specific projects and can't be relied upon for ongoing needs.

Most levies are for a set number of years. Voters have to say "yes" again to keep them going. The current levy expires in December 2024, and the new proposed levy is a four-year levy that will extend it until 2028.

At the time of the vote, the taxes are set community-wide. The amount each taxpayer will pay is based on their home’s assessed value.  If your home's value increases or decreases, the levy amount could change for you, but the levied total amount for the community as a whole remains fixed. And remember -- good schools raise home values.