Top 5 Contributors: Ken Gosney, Shelley Redinger, Darin Redinger, Barbara Stephens, Katrina Waters
What is a levy and what does it pay for?
What is a levy?
A levy is a local property tax passed by voters of a school district that generates revenue for the local school district. All money generated by school district levies goes directly to the school district to pay for enhancements to the state funded basic education. Voting for a levy means voters are approving an additional property tax in their district.
Capital Projects Technology Levy
In 2022, voters approved Richland School District’s four-year Capital Projects Technology Levy, which is due to expire in 2026.
The Technology levy is $0.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value.
This levy will make 21st Century technology available in the learning environment and will include:
- Enhanced IT support
- Improved Technology
- Infrastructure
- Staff Training
- Professional Development
- Replace/Add Devices
Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy
Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies, fund important school services and positions like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds or doesn’t fund at all.
State money for schools provided via the prototypical funding model does not fully cover the actual costs of operating a school district, so enrichment or EP&O levies bridge the funding gap. Enrichment levies can be approved for up to four years.
The EP&O levy is $2.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value.
Richland school levies pay for the following:
Additional Academics
* Advanced Placement * Broadcasting Journalism * DECA * English Language Learners (ELL) Club * Future Farmers of America (FFA) * Homework Club * Jr Librarians * Knowledge Bowl * Math is Cool * Math and Reading Assistance * Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) * Project Based Learning * Reading Club * Zero Hour Classes *
Art
* Art Club * Art Through Gardening * Craft Club * Ceramics * Floral Design * Movie Club * Newspapers * Photography * Yarning Club * Yearbook *
Drama
* Drama Club * Mock Trial * Mock Trial * Movie Club * Production Royalties * Theatre Upkeep * Technical Theatre *
Extracurriculars
* Archery * ASB * Author/Writing Club * Book Club * Buddy Club * Car Club * Chess Club * Cooking Club * Destination Imagination * Dungeons & Dragons * Harry Potter Club * Key Club * Leadership * Lego * Magic the Gathering * National Honors Society * Robotics * Safety Patrol * STEAM Club * Social Club * Spirit Club * Student Council * Wilderness Education *
Music
* Band * Choir * Color Guard * Competitions * Hand Chimes * Sheet Music * Instrument Repair * Jazz Band * * Marching Band * Marimbas * Music Royalties * Orchestra * Pep Band * Steel Drums * Tri-M Honor Society * Winter Guard *
Science & Technology
* Computer Science Club * CyberPatriots * Gaming Club * E-Sports * Ecology Club * Green Club * Marine Biology Club * Minecraft * Nintendo Club * Online Education * Recycling Club * Science Club * Technology Student Association *
Sports
* Baseball * Basketball * Bowling * Cheer * Cross Country * Dance Team * Dive * Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) * Football * Girls On The Run * Golf * Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) * Jr Joggers * Lacrosse * Ping Pong * Softball * Soccer * Sports Medicine * Swim * Tchoukball * Tennis * Track & Field * Volleyball * Wrestling *
Staff
* Assistant Principals * Bus Drivers * Club Advisor Stipends Counseling * Custodians * Facility Maintenance * Groundskeeping * Nursing * Para Educators * School Psychologists * School Resource Officers (SROs) * Special Education Bus Monitors * Substitutes *
World & Culture
*American Sign Language * French * German * Spanish * Diversity & Equity Club * HOUSES * International Club * Kindness Club * MECHA Club * World Explorers Club * Gay Straight Alliance * Pride Club * Unashamed Club * Where You Belong (WEB) *
How much will the levy add to my property taxes?
Per Benton County, the average house price in Richland is $418,142. If both levies are approved the tax on a $418,142 house is $1,254 per year. This is the same rate that taxpayers are currently paying. This levy is not a new tax, it’s a renewal of an existing tax.
To know how these levies will impact your property taxes, please use the calculator here or visit the Calculate My Tax page.
Register to Vote or Update your Registration!
Register to vote or update your voter registration with the Washington State Secretary of State’s office here!
This website was created by Richland Citizens For Good Schools. It is in support of, but not affiliated with the Richland School District.
Richland Citizens for Good Schools believe in the value of education and advocate for the passing of the February 2026 Richland School District levies. This levy is a replacement for the existing levy at the same assessed rate.
Sources of information include the following websites: