A levy is a local property tax collected by school districts to fund the portion of education programs and operations that are not funded by the state. 

Low-income seniors and people with disabilities, or other circumstances, may qualify for tax relief, exemption, or deferral. To apply for this exemption, call the King County Tax Exemptions Office at 206-296-3920 or visit the King County website. 

The special election is on February 8, 2022. Ballots must be postmarked by this date if mailed or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on election day. 

You can drop off your ballot at the following ballot drop box locations:

Federal Way 320th Library
848 S 320th Street
Federal Way, WA 98003
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Federal Way City Hall
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
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No. These are part of the regular cycle of levies. Voters have continuously approved the EP&O Levy since 1980 and the Tech Levy since 2004. We are asking to renew these current levies. 

The renewal Educational Programs & Operation (EP&O) Levy will ensure continued funding of education enrichment activities and supports that provide equitable opportunities for all scholars. This levy will impact our ability to provide adequate staffing to support health, safety, student transportation, and instructional positions, all of which also impact our enrichment programs including advanced courses, special education, athletics, English Language Learners, and more. 

If the renewal EP&O Levy is passed, the education funding gap will be mitigated through property taxes. Based on the current average home value of $371,000, taxes for the first year would be $660, or $56 per month.

This cost is not new — voters have supported the EP&O Levy since 1980. You can learn more about the relationship between property values and tax from the King County Assessor. 

The EP&O replacement levy represents 8% of the district's overall budget. If the levy does not pass, the district will lose funding for staff and programs including extracurricular activities, athletics, advanced courses, special education, student transportation, and English Language Learners programs.  

Local Effort Assistance (LEA) helps districts in property-poor areas enhance the state’s basic education program by funding local programs for students like extracurricular activities and support programs such as Special Education and English Language Learners.  

Federal Way Public Schools is committed to doing more for less. For the past five years, we have consistently collected less tax than what was approved by voters. We are asking for well below the maximum EP&O Levy amount that the law allows. The annual total collection and estimated tax rates for each year are listed in the table below.

Based on the current average property value of $371,000, the average annual EP&O renewal cost to property owners over four years is estimated to be $681. This translates to approximately $56 per month, around $9 more per month than previous years. 

*Per $1,000 o assessed property value 

The renewal Tech Levy will continue to provide students with safe, equitable access to technology, digital tools and resources, and essential learning experiences. Additionally, it will provide student and teacher devices and support, instructional technology training and integration, and ensure a reliable technology infrastructure to include critical equipment and systems maintenance and upgrades.

If the levy does not pass, this loss of funding will impact the district’s ability to provide equitable, safe, and modern technology devices, supports, and infrastructure to support 21st-century learning.

The Tech Levy renewal would collect $28 million over the course of 6 years. The estimated tax rate for each year does not go above $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value throughout the life of the levy.

*Per $1,000 of assessed property value

If both levies are approved,  the estimated total combined tax rate for the first four years would be roughly the same as it is currently. This includes the bond approved in November 2017, as well as the EP&O and Tech levies. In the chart below, you’ll see a decrease beginning in 2025, which leaves room for a future bond.

FWPS is asking for a slight increase for both the EP&O and Tech Levies up for renewal.

Based on the current average property value of $371,000, the annual tax would be approximately $660, which is $85 more than last year. However, taxes are based on property valuations, which can fluctuate.

Due to two recent legislative impacts, House Bill 1660 which reduced education funding by $3 million, and an increase of property valuations which will cause state Local Effort Assistance to decrease by $8 million, the cost to fund education has shifted to local taxpayers.  

If property values go up, the tax rate is adjusted downward. The school district cannot collect more than the amount approved by voters. Increases in property values do not generate more revenue for the school district.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to us at levy@fwps.org.