Educational Programs and Operations Levy
Proposition 1
Four-Year Levy
The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy funds 16.6% of the general fund and reflects community partnership through strong local voter support.
The remainder of the general fund is made up of State Funding (67.8%); Local Fees, Tuition and Gifts (9.4%); Other Financing Sources (3.8%); Federal Funding (2.1%); and Other Funding (0.4%).
The EP&O Levy sustains necessary programs not fully funded by the state, including:
Student Well-Being:
Nurses, mental health counselors, behavior supports, security staff, VOICE Mentor Program, equity programs, extracurricular activities
Academic Opportunities:
7-period high school day, special education services, dual language, Gibson Ek, curriculum, interventions
Organizational Effectiveness:
Additional teachers and compensation, substitutes, custodial and maintenance staff, transportation – all above state funding.
Academic Opportunities Levy Investment Examples
Expanded Instructional Time & Supports:
- 7-Period High School Day
- Innovative Academic Offerings
Specialized Pathways:
- Dual Language
- Gibson Ek High School (Competency-Based High School)
Bridging State Shortfalls:
- Delivering Legally Required Special Education Services
- Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs Above State Funding
Student Well-Being
Levy Investment Examples
Mental Health Counseling Services
- School Nurses and Nursing Support
- School Security Officers and Department Staff
- Behavior Support / Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Student Guidance, Connections, and Activities
- Additional Guidance Counseling Service
- Family Partnership / Equity Department
- VOICE Mentors
- Clubs, Sports and Activities
Organizational Effectiveness Levy Investment Examples
Staffing and Compensation:
- Maintain class sizes; supporting and retaining staff
- Funds additional teachers and workdays beyond state funding to maintain smaller class sizes and support student learning.
- Provides substitute coverage and sick leave buy-back to retain and support staff.
Operational Costs:
- Reliable access to school and activities
- Supports custodial and maintenance staffing for clean, safe schools and reliable transportation operations that ensure students can get to school and activities every day.
Class Options
Levy funding makes 7-Period days at the high school possible; this allows students to have more choice in course selection. We also support innovative class offerings with local levy dollars.
Athletics
With the exception of participation fees, 100% of our athletic programs are funded by the Educational Programs & Operations Levy.
Safety and Security
As an example of how we have used funds from the Educational Programs and Operations Levy, we have paid for additional Safety and Security staff positions with levy dollars. This team helps our schools practice and prepare for emergencies; and responds to incidents.
Special Education
Our district has continually been underfunded in special education by about $9.5 million per year for legally required special education services. That amount is increasing. We cover the gap using local levy dollars.
The Educational Programs and Operations proposal remains below the district's estimated legal levy capacity. We are only asking for the funding necessary to sustain current programs and plan for potential future program expansion, such as:
- Mental Health Counseling and Supports for Students
- Early Learning Programs
- Dual Language (for example, Mandarin)
- Safety and Security
| Educational Programs & Operations Levy Amounts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
$75,200,000 |
$78,200,000 |
$81,000,000 |
$82,800,000 |
