An educational levy has never failed to pass in Hoquiam on the first try, but the levy on the ballot for the upcoming special election is facing abnormal pushback.

In light of rising property values and other proposed levies, some Hoquiam residents are concerned about the cost to fund additional programs within the Hoquiam School District. Residents have until Tuesday, Feb. 8, to decide whether to renew the Educational Program and Operations (EP&O) levy, which will run out at the end of the year. Should it fail, the school district will lose more than $2 million in funding a year.

The levy, which provides funding outside of the state and federal sphere, makes up 7 percent of the Hoquiam School District’s funding. The levy has been described as a “replacement” levy because it is a renewal of the same levy presented to voters every two years.

If it passes, the educational levy will continue to tax residents at the previous rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of their assessed property values. However, rising property valuations across the Grays Harbor County in recent years mean that residents will be paying a larger sum for their properties than they have previously.

“Just like across the country, we’ve experienced rising property values here in Grays Harbor in the past few years,” said Hoquiam School District Mike Villarreal. “That’s great if you’re refinancing or selling your home, but this tax hits hardest those families that have set incomes, so that’s a concern we understand.”

The EP&O levy for Hoquiam is a similar rate to other school districts in the county. The levy funds a variety of operations in the district, including improvements to school buildings, the purchase of a new maintenance truck, and the acquisition of new technology across the district and in the ESports lab.

“If it doesn’t pass, I’m worried how it would impact programs for our students here. We’d certainly lose things that are important to our students and our community like after-school activities, training of staff, and maintenance of buildings,” said Bonnie Jump, Principal of the remote learning Homelink Program and Assistant Principal of Hoquiam High School.

A major impact would fall on enrichment activities that are not adequately supported by state or federal dollars, such as band and sports programs.

“That’s something that gets kids interested in school, that gets them wanting to be here and gives them something to be excited about outside of the classroom,” said Jump.

While extracurricular activities are key to development, some Hoquiam School District administrators are worried that failing to pass the levy would have a more direct impact on the quality of education the district is able to provide.

Emerson Elementary School Principal Brandon Winkman is concerned that without the levy, the district would be unable to maintain smaller class sizes. He believes the current student to teacher ratio has allowed educators to assist their students not just academically, but also socially.

“The levy pays the salaries of additional teachers. Especially now, students need additional attention, and the staff needs to get to know them on a personal level to support the whole child,” he said.

Recently, the levy has supported the addition of a paraeducator at Emerson Elementary, who has helped combat some of the negative social effects students have experienced because of the pandemic, according to Winkleman.

“Favorable ratios are especially important in primary grades, so you can set the foundation for kids to enjoy learning,” he said.

The EP&O levy represents more funding for the Hoquiam School District than just those provided by the tax collection. Additional state assistance, in the form of the Washington State Local Effort Assistance (LEA), is contingent on the passage of the levy. If voters approve the replacement levy, the district will receive more than $1.3 million for 2023 and approximately $1.25 million for 2024. LEA funding accounts for 3 percent of the district’s funding.

Voters can mail or drop off ballots up until Tuesday, Feb. 8. Exemptions to the levy are available for senior citizens and those who are permanently disabled who have a household income of $35,000 or less a year.

“I’m trying to keep an optimistic attitude, because I really believe our community comes through when it’s necessary. I understand that there are a lot of things going on right now that people are struggling with and that makes them a bit more apprehensive about paying more taxes,” said Jump.

“Believe in our kids, they need us more than ever right now, they need the support and these programs because they have so much going on in their lives.”