During last night's regular meeting, the Royal School Board of Directors approved a resolution to place a $1,825,000 Educational Programs & Operation (EP&O) Levy on the February 13, 2024 election. If approved by local voters, levy funds will be used to maintain educational programs in Royal schools not fully funded by the state, including extra-curricular activities and athletics, career and technical education (CTE), school safety and security, technology, staffing for smaller class sizes, school counselors, and much more.
The proposed 2024 Royal levy will replace Royal’s expiring levy that was approved by voters in 2022. The estimated tax rate for the proposed EP&O Levy is $1.72 (collected in 2025) and $1.67 (collected in 2026). Tax rates are per $1,000 assessed value.
Historically, the actual levy tax rate paid by property owners has consistently been collected at a much lower amount than the rate initially proposed by the school district. For example, at the time the district’s last EP&O levy was approved in 2022, the proposed tax rate was projected at $1.61 (in 2023) and $1.59 (in 2024). However, the actual tax rate that ended up being collected came in at $1.46 (in 2023) and $1.33 (in 2024). (See the attached Proposed vs. Actual Tax Rate chart.)
Royal School District Superintendent Roger Trail explains, “While it is always great to let our local property owners know that their tax rate is going to come in lower than expected, it also means we miss out on money we could be receiving from the State. Any time a school district’s levy rate falls below the $1.50 minimum requirement, the district is no longer eligible to receive ‘State match dollars,’” says Superintendent Trail. “By increasing our proposed tax rate slightly and staying high enough above the $1.50 minimum, we’re looking to ensure our schools are eligible to receive substantial additional funding from the state while maximizing local taxpayers’ investments.”
Royal School District’s proposed replacement levy will appear on the February 13, 2024, election. Local voters should expect to receive their ballots in the mail the last week of January 2024. Detailed information, materials, and resources on Royal’s levy will continue to be added to our levy webpage at royalsd.org/levy. Community members are encouraged to reach out with any questions or for more information by contacting the District Office at 509.346.2222.