The Riverside School District has decided to shift its upcoming operations levy renewal from the traditional February election cycle to the general election in November 2026. The strategic timing change aims to capitalize on higher voter turnout during the fall elections, potentially increasing the likelihood of passage for a measure that supports core educational services across the district.
Superintendent Ken Russell explained the long-standing nature of the funding mechanism to the Spokesman-Review. “We’ve been running the same levy every three years for decades. It’s just part of doing education in Washington state,” Russell said. The current operations levy, which funds roughly 13% of the district’s annual operating budget, is scheduled to expire at the end of 2027. District leadership is now seeking voter approval for a new three-year term.
Budget Breakdown and Tax Impact
If approved by voters in November, the renewed levy would impose a tax rate of $1.58 per $1,000 of assessed property value during its first year. This represents a slight increase from the current rate of $1.52 per $1,000. For homeowners, this translates to a modest additional cost on their annual property tax bills, designed to maintain staffing levels and program offerings that are not covered by state base funding.
The funds generated by the operations levy are earmarked for specific educational needs that fall outside standard state allocations. According to district officials, the money supports extra teachers necessary for reduced class sizes, Advanced Placement (AP) course instructors, school counselors, and nurses. It also provides funding for paraeducators who assist students with special needs in general education classrooms.
Perhaps most significantly for many families, the levy is the sole financial source for extracurricular activities. Russell emphasized the critical role of this funding for student life beyond the classroom. “One hundred percent of athletics is funded by the levy,” he told the Spokesman-Review. This means that without voter approval, the district would struggle to maintain its sports programs, as well as music, drama, and art classes, which are also entirely dependent on this local tax revenue.
Focus on Operations Over Capital Projects
The decision to pursue only an operations levy marks a distinct shift in fiscal strategy for the district. A previous capital levy, typically used for major construction and facility improvements, expired recently. The school board attempted to renew that capital measure last year but was unsuccessful. Following that defeat, the board determined it would not pursue another new capital levy at this time.
Instead, the district is addressing immediate facility maintenance needs through other funding avenues. School administrators have secured grants specifically for upgrading kitchen equipment and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Additionally, the school board voted to allocate $500,000 from existing reserves toward further HVAC repairs. This approach allows the district to handle urgent infrastructure issues without asking voters to approve a separate construction tax.
What Comes Next
The operations levy will appear on the November 2026 ballot alongside other general election measures. As the sole active levy currently in place for Riverside, its renewal is essential for maintaining current service levels. Voters in the district will need to weigh the slight increase in property taxes against the potential loss of staff positions and extracurricular programs if the measure fails.
For residents concerned about local education funding models, this vote offers a direct say in how taxpayer dollars are distributed within their community. While the district has managed some facility repairs through grants and internal allocations, the day-to-day operations of schools—including teacher salaries and student support services—remain heavily reliant on this local revenue stream.
Residents can monitor upcoming school board meetings for further details on budget projections and specific staffing plans tied to the levy. The outcome of the November vote will determine whether the district can sustain its current educational offerings or if it must implement significant cuts to personnel and programs in the coming years.