For the Nov. 3, 2026 election, only an Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy will appear on the ballot. Levies and bonds are separate property-tax measures that serve different purposes.
Levies provide revenue for improved student experiences, funding smaller class sizes, curriculum materials, Advanced Placement courses, library information specialists, counselors, nurses, technology support, arts, music, athletics and clubs.
Levy dollars are collected during specific years listed in the ballot measure. Voters previously approved a levy in 2024 to be collected in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The Nov. 3 proposal covers collections in 2028, 2029 and 2030. At the end of the authorized period, the levy expires unless voters approve another measure.
A bond works differently. When authorized by voters, the district is permitted to borrow money by selling bonds to investors. Bond dollars are generally used for major, long-term capital work, including purchasing property, constructing schools, replacing aging buildings or completing major modernizations. Property-tax collections are then used to repay principal and interest over a longer period.
Bond proceeds are restricted to specific capital purposes, such as those approved by voters as part of the 2025 bond of Together Spokane. They cannot be transferred to the district’s operating budget to pay for regular staffing, classroom programs or other recurring expenses.
A common way to remember the difference is that levies are for learning, while bonds are for building.
That shorthand is most accurate when discussing an EP&O levy. Washington districts may also run capital or technology levies, which can pay for specific facility, security or tech projects without issuing long-term debt.
The approval requirements also differ between a bond and a levy. An EP&O levy requires a simple majority of votes, while a school bond requires at least 60% approval under state law.
On Nov. 3, 2026, voters within Spokane Public Schools boundaries will consider a three-year replacement EP&O levy. If approved, it would collect no more than $107 million in 2028, $111 million in 2029 and $115 million in 2030 to support an improved student experience. The estimated rate is $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value each year. For more information, visit Learn About the Levy.