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Bonds vs Levies

Bonds are for buildings.  Levies are for learning and operations.

WHAT IS A BOND?

A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years.

Bonds require a supermajority to pass (60%)

A bond must pass in order for the district to receive School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP or State Match)

WHAT IS A LEVY?

A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of "basic education."

  • CAPITAL LEVY (which include tech levies): fund things like modern technology, enhanced building security and renovation projects. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years.
  • EP&O LEVY: Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O), fund important school services like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials or services that the state only partially funds or doesn't fund at all. State money for schools provided via the prototypical funding model does not fully cover the actual costs of operating a school district, so enrichment or EP&O levies bridge the funding gap. Enrichment levies can be approved for up to four years.
  • TRANSPORTATION LEVY: Transportation levies fund things like new buses or major repairs to older buses to prolong their useful life. Transportation levies can be approved for up to two years.

Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1)

A levy must pass for Levy Equalization of Local Effort Assistance (LEA)