EP&O Levy Information

North Kitsap voters approved the replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy in February 2026. The four-year levy continues local funding for the 2027–2030 calendar years and provides about 16% of the district’s annual operating budget.

What the Levy Supports

The EP&O Levy helps bridge the gap between state funding and the actual cost of operating schools and supporting students. Levy dollars support four primary areas:

Student Learning

• Classroom instruction, supplies, curriculum, and learning resources
• Technology and software used for teaching and learning
• Art, music, career and technical education, and advanced courses
• Professional learning for teachers and staff

Student Support

• Counselors, nurses, mental health services, and other student support staff
• Safety and health services
• Athletics, extracurricular activities, and student programs
• After-school and enrichment opportunities

School Operations

• Transportation, maintenance, and custodial services
• Utilities, insurance, and operational materials
• Food and nutrition services
• Services that keep schools safe, clean, and operating each day

Staffing and Compensation

• Teachers, paraeducators, and support staff not fully funded by the state
• School office, health, technical, and district support staff
• Salaries and benefits that help recruit and retain qualified staff

Levy Collections

The 2026 levy authorizes approximately $89.4 million in local funding over four years.

Collection Year	Levy Amount	Estimated Rate per $1,000 Assessed Value
2027	$21,010,031	$1.43
2028	$21,834,134	$1.43
2029	$22,549,886	$1.42
2030	$23,966,542	$1.45

Future levy rates are estimates. Actual rates may change based on assessed property values. The district cannot collect more than the amount authorized by voters.

 

North Kitsap voters approved the renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy in February 2022. The four-year levy provides local funding for the 2023–2026 calendar years and represents about 15% of the district’s operating budget.

What the EP&O Levy Does

The EP&O levy is a renewal of an existing local levy. It does not add new taxes, but replaces levies that were set to expire in 2022.

The levy makes up about 15% of the district’s operating budget. These funds cover important services and staff that are not fully funded by the state, including:

• Nurses, counselors, psychologists, and paraeducators

• Special education services

• 100% of athletics and extracurricular activities

• Student support programs

• Competitive salaries and training to attract and retain staff

• Transportation and food services

• Daily operations and building maintenance

Why Local Support Matters

State funding does not fully cover what is required to provide students with a well-rounded education. For example, in 2022:

• The state funds less than 1 full-time nurse (0.86), but NKSD employs 2.8 to meet student needs.

• The state funds a fraction of a school psychologist (0.13), while NKSD employs 6.1.

• The state funds 10.7 maintenance/grounds crew, NKSD has 16 on staff.

• The state funds 20.9 custodians and NKSD has 33 to maintain 1 million sf of buildings.

• the state provides funding for 3 people for technology.  NKSD has a team of 15 to support all students and staff.

• The local levy supports 38 teaching assistants and classroom support staff.

The EP&O levy helps bridge these gaps.

Levy Collections

The 2022 levy authorized up to approximately $73 million in local funding over four years.

Actual Collections for 2022 - 2026

Collection Year	Amount per $1,000  Assessed Value	Total Collection Amount
2023	1.32	$16,972,500
2024	1.26	$17,777,000
2025	1.25	$18,706,500
2026	1.39	$19,558,500

 

 

 

 

2022 NKSD Levy Information Mailer

2022 NKSD Levy One Page Flyer

2022 NKSD Levy Presentation

North Kitsap voters approved the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy in February 2018. The four-year levy replaced an expiring Maintenance and Operations Levy and provided local funding for the 2019–2022 calendar years.

What the Levy Supported

The EP&O Levy helped bridge the gap between state funding and the actual cost of operating schools and supporting students. Levy dollars supported:

• Teachers, paraeducators, counselors, nurses, and other student support staff
• Special education services and classroom support
• Athletics, extracurricular activities, and student programs
• Transportation services
• Maintenance, grounds, and custodial services
• Instructional materials and supplies
• Technology and other daily school operations

Levy Collections

The 2018 levy authorized approximately $49.2 million in local funding over four years.

Collection Year	Levy Amount	Estimated Rate per $1,000 Assessed Value
2019	$11,405,613	$1.50
2020	$11,975,894	$1.50
2021	$12,574,688	$1.50
2022	$13,203,423	$1.50

Rates shown are the estimated rates presented to voters when the levy was approved. Actual tax rates may have varied based on assessed property values.

North Kitsap voters approved a four-year Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy in February 2014. The levy replaced an expiring local levy and provided funding for the 2015–2018 calendar years to support school programs and district operations beyond what was funded by the state.

What the Levy Supported

The M&O Levy was the predecessor to what is now called the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. Local levy dollars helped support the staff, programs, services, and day-to-day operations needed across North Kitsap schools.

Levy Collections

The 2014 levy authorized $68.85 million in local funding over four years.

Collection Year	Levy Amount	Estimated Rate per $1,000 Assessed Value
2015	$16,500,000	$2.83
2016	$16,950,000	$2.85
2017	$17,450,000	$2.90
2018	$17,950,000	$2.96

 

Rates shown are the approximate rates presented to voters when the levy was approved. Actual tax rates may have varied based on assessed property values.

North Kitsap voters approved a four-year School Support and Operations Levy in February 2010. The levy renewed an expiring local levy and provided funding for the 2011–2014 calendar years to maintain educational programs and support instructional programs, student services, and district operations.

What the Levy Supported

The School Support and Operations Levy was an earlier version of what is now called the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. Local levy dollars supported educational programs, student services, and the day-to-day operations of North Kitsap schools.

Levy Collections

The 2010 levy authorized $56.1 million in local funding over four years.

Collection Year	Levy Amount	Estimated Rate per $1,000 Assessed Value
2011	$13,200,000	$1.96
2012	$13,600,000	$1.96
2013	$14,300,000	$1.96
2014	$15,000,000	$1.96

 

 

 

 

Rates shown are the approximate rates presented to voters when the levy was approved. Actual tax rates may have varied based on assessed property values.