This levy is a replacement levy. The current levy was approved in 1998 and expires this year. A levy is similar to a magazine subscription, which if not renewed, runs out and funds for many school programs and student services will no longer be available. In Monroe Public Schools, local levy dollars fund everything from programs for gifted learners to additional help for struggling students. Music instruction, smaller class sizes and compensation for staff are also supported.
Levies buy classroom materials and pay for new curriculum and teacher training.
Local funds totally support after-school programs including student activities and athletics. Technology, bus transportation, community use of school fields, gymnasiums and schools, as well as maintenance of our buildings and grounds are in part paid for with local levy dollars. All costs are estimated given the growth in our area. In the past 10 years, Monroe Public Schools' estimates have been greater than the actual rate collected due to the increase of assessed valuation because of new homes and businesses in the area. In the most current data comparisons from schools in Snohomish County, Monroe's local school taxes are among the lowest.