Kent School District Funding Sources

Our schools receive money from four sources.

1. Federal Government 

   
   The federal government provides financial support for high-poverty schools and students who require additional resources in order to obtain a fair, equitable, high-quality education. Federal dollars pay for a percentage of programs including Vocational Education, Special Education, Native American Education, English Language Acquisition, Disability and Nutrition as well as special grants.

2. Washington State 

   
   The Basic Education Act of 1997 set a formula for giving each of the state’s school districts a certain dollar amount for every Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student (or, each student attending school all day). For students who need extra services, such as Special Education programs, Gifted Education, or Bilingual Education, there are state and federal formulas for additional dollars. 
   Additional state funding is provided for salaries for teachers with advanced degrees as well as for districts with fewer than 300 students.

3. Local 

   
   Local funding is generated through levies and bonds approved by the voters. Both are based upon local property valuations—property owners pay a set amount for each $1,000 of property value. Once approved, bond and levy amounts cannot increase with property values. When property values increase in a community, the amount paid per $1,000 decreases. Senior citizens and low income property owners may apply for an exemption from bond and levy taxes.

4. Other Sources 

   
   These revenue sources include grants, revenue from other school districts, agencies and other financing sources. 

The Difference Between Bonds & Levies

Simply stated, levies are for learning, and bonds are for building.

Each and every student in our community benefits every day from the resources provided by our voters, thank you for your support in successfully preparing all children for their futures.

Bonds

By law, bonds may not be used to pay for the day-to-day costs of operating schools or school districts. Bonds provide funds only for capital projects, such as:

• New schools

• Acquisition of property

• Renovation or modernization of schools and athletic facilities

Levies

There is a gap between what the state funds and the education Kent School District provides to students. Local levy funds make up the difference.

Levy dollars support student enrichment programs not fully funded by the state, such as:

• Student programs

• Teacher pay, for additional teachers above the state minimum

• Instructional assistants in classrooms

• Textbooks, curriculum, and teacher training

• Additional course offerings for students

• Athletics

• Arts and music

• Special education

• Bus transportation (not fully funded by the state)

• Building and grounds maintenance (not fully funded by the state)

• Computers and technology

• Gifted education programs

• Community use of facilities

Our Community Votes on Levies Every 2-4 Years

• By law, operations levies can only be proposed for a period of four years or less.

• Typically, school districts propose levies of two to six years. After the allotted number of years, the levy expires.

• Voters must approve a renewal of funding, or local financial support for schools ends.

• Generally, the levy you are voting on simply replaces one that is about to expire.

The state education funding plan passed by the legislature in 2017 was a step in the right direction, but it is a work in progress. The state Supreme Court has ruled the state is not yet fully covering all basic education costs. 

Much of the new state funding comes from shifting some property tax dollars that now go directly to local schools from the state; the state will then redistribute those dollars back to school districts.

in February 2018, Kent School District voters approved expiring educational programs and operations levy for two-years and a six-year technology and capital levy. Learn more about the 2018 levy measures. 

In Ferbruary 2020, Kent School District voters approved expiring educational programs and operations levy for two-years. 

2024-25 Proposed District Budget - All Funds (PDF) 

Public Notice Given Pursuant to WAC 392-123-054           

By July 10 of each year, the Kent School District prepares an annual budget and publishes a notice of its completion, making the budget available for public review on the KSD website. The proposed budget may now be reviewed at this link, or by requesting a paper copy through the KSD Office of Budget & Finance.

Be advised that the Kent School District Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on August 21, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Kent School District Administrative Headquarters located at 12033 SE 256th Street in Kent, or by virtual meeting, for the purpose of adopting the budget of the district for the ensuing fiscal year and will consider any budget extentions for fiscal year 2023-2024 as may be required. The Board may also hold additional public hearings on the Budget at its discretion. Check back at the Kent School Board website for updates and details.

Any person may appear and be heard for or against any part of the proposed budget at the Public Hearing portion of this meeting. Please submit a public comment submission form. Specify that you wish to speak at the Public Hearing on the Budget.

The Board has additionally held a series of budget development work sessions which were open to the public. These sessions include the development of budget priorities and analysis of financial data.

Review the materials from the sessions:

• Work Session 1

• Work Session 2

• Work Session 3

Notice of this public hearing will be published at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in our broader community, and the last notice will be published no later than seven days immediately prior to the hearing date.