Waitsburg School District 2026 replacement EP&O Levy on Feb. 10 ballot

WAITSBURG — Waitsburg School District has a two-year replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot. This levy will replace Waitsburg’s current levy, which was approved by voters in 2024 and is up for renewal. This is NOT a new tax. If approved, the levy funds will be used to support school programs not fully funded by the state. Please feel free to contact the Waitsburg Superintendent’s Office at 509-337-6301 with questions or to learn more about the school levy.

A levy is a locally approved tax based on property values. The Waitsburg School Distrist 2026 replacement levy is not a new tax but replaces the previous levy. The levy will continue to pay for educational programs, materials and services not fully funded by the state. The total collection amount for the proposed levy will be $837,434 in 2027 and $880,731 in 2028.

In addition, if the EP&O levy is approved, the district will receive an additional $487,946 from the state ($263,127 in 2027 and $224,819 in 2028) in state matching funds, also known as Local Effort Assistance (LEA).

The local levy and state matching funds (LEA) comprise approximately 15% of the Waitsburg School District’s budgeted revenue.

Year Total EP&O Projected EP&O tax rate

Per $1,000 assessed property value

2026 (current) $837,434 $2.50

2027 (proposed) $837,434 $2.50*

2028 (proposed) $880,731 $2.50*

*estimated rate for proposed replacement levy

What do school levy dollars fund in Waitsburg?

Athletics, music, and extracurriculars

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs

Preschool program

Food services

Counseling and student support

Maintenance and operations

Technology

Registered voters will receive ballots by mail by Jan. 23, 2026. Check your registration status or register to vote and find more information online at VoteWA.gov .

Ballots must be postmarked, returned to the election office, or put into a ballot drop box by Feb. 10, 2026. There is a ballot drop box outside the Waitsburg City Hall.

Tax exemptions and deferrals are available to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. For more information, contact the Walla Walla County Assessor’s Office at 509-524-2560 or the Columbia County Assessor at 509-382-2131.