Granite Falls School District begins planning renewal of EP&O levy; board schedules study session and October vote timeline

Marshall Cruz, the district business manager, told the Granite Falls School District Board of Directors on Oct. 8 that the district’s educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy will require voter renewal and that the board should prepare a public communications plan and a citizens campaign committee.

Cruz said the district currently relies on levy revenue for items the state funding model does not fully cover — transportation, extracurricular programs (sports, band, clubs and field trips), a large share of classified staff (custodians, secretaries and paraeducators), certain special-education costs, child nutrition shortfalls, technology and some small capital projects. He said the district’s levy share of total local revenue is about 11 percent compared with a statewide average of roughly 14.5 percent.

Cruz told directors that an EP&O renewal requires a simple majority (50% plus one), while a bond to build or significantly renovate facilities requires 60% plus one. He reviewed timing options for placing levies on the ballot — February, April, August and November — and said February historically produces the highest pass rate. The board discussed holding a study session the following week, preparing a resolution at the board’s final October meeting and filing an application with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) describing planned uses of levy funds.

Why it matters: district leaders told the board that, without levy revenue, the district could face cuts to transportation, activities and staff positions that parents and the community expect the district to provide. Cruz and other staff emphasized that levy funds are a recurring operational revenue stream that maintains current services, while bonds are used for major capital construction.

Details Cruz and presenters gave the board: - Uses: transportation, utilities and insurance, extracurriculars and athletics, classified staff, additional certificated pay (competitive salaries), psychologists and librarians beyond state-funded levels, technology (student devices and connectivity), and uncovered special-education and child-nutrition expenses. - Thresholds and timing: EP&O renewals need a 50% +1 approval; bonds need 60% +1. February is statistically the strongest month to pass EP&O renewals, and districts commonly schedule a February election while reserving a later date as a fallback. - Roles and rules: the district may provide factual information about a levy and must remain neutral in tone; a separate citizens ("yes") committee must run campaign activities advocating passage. District staff and board members may not use district resources to campaign; staff may participate on citizen committees during nonwork time and using private resources. The Public Disclosure Commission and state reporting rules require that campaign materials identify the sponsoring committee and list top donors.

Board next steps: board members asked for a study session the week after the meeting to refine policy and communication options. District staff described a timeline that would include a resolution at the final October meeting, an OSPI filing to describe uses, and then preparation of materials and registration for any citizens committee that forms.

No formal vote to place a levy on the ballot occurred at the Oct. 8 meeting; directors agreed to return with a recommendation after the study session.

Speakers quoted or cited in this story appear in the meeting record.