26-06-2025
November ballot has two Bellingham school levies. Here's what they would fund
Bellingham voters will likely see two levies to support the Bellingham Public Schools District on the upcoming November ballot.
The first is a three-year supplemental operations levy meant to support ongoing operational needs and help stabilize the district's budget amid an estimated $11.4 million deficit.
If approved, it would raise about $4 million additional dollars each year from taxpayers on top of the already-voter-approved Operations Levy.
'That's the main levy that most districts run, and it really helps run your district,' Superintendent Greg Baker said in an interview with The Herald. 'It helps mainly with staffing. Over 90% of our district's budget is for staffing.'
Washington's Legislature places a cap on the amount of funding districts can bring in through such operations levies. That lid was adjusted during the most recent legislative session to allow districts to request additional funding from voters.
Baker told The Herald the supplemental levy would raise enough to pay for the district's utilities and insurance costs, which are underfunded by the state by about $3 million each year. It could also help fund special education, which is underfunded by about $7 million each year.
'It's an adjustment, but it will make a difference. It will help us balance our budget for the next few years,' Baker said.
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The second levy is a six-year facilities maintenance levy focused on raising funds to help maintain the district's existing facilities.
'Our community has invested in outstanding facilities, and we want to maintain them. If you can keep them in good shape, they last longer,' Baker told The Herald.
The facilities levy would fund things like HVAC system maintenance, roof replacements, playground replacements, new furniture and upgraded gym flooring.
'More and more districts are running this type of levy that's focused on maintaining our facilities, and it's just a smart move,' Baker said.
Bellingham Public Schools has previously pulled funding from the operating budget or from a voter-approved bond to pay for necessary maintenance. Baker said running this kind of levy helps ensure maintenance can be done effectively and promptly without pulling funding from other projects or services.
There's also a greater likelihood the measure will pass with voters because levies only need 50% of the vote to pass, while bonds require at least 60% approval.
'Then if you go out for a bond and it doesn't pass, you haven't put your current buildings at risk,' Baker said. 'There are lots of examples around the state of districts that can't keep their facilities maintained, and we don't want that to happen here.'
The Bellingham community has a consistent track record of approving bonds and levies proposed by Bellingham Public Schools. Since 1992, the community has approved eight bond elections, six technology levies, 12 educational programs & operations levies and one transportation vehicle levy.
'The state doesn't fund schools fully, and so it's up to local communities,' Baker said. 'Our community takes great pride in its schools. We have an outstanding school district.'
