84.52.0531 - Levies by school districts -- Maximum dollar amount for maintenance and operation support -- Restrictions -- Maximum levy percentage -- Levy reduction funds -- Rules.

Levies by school districts — Maximum dollar amount for maintenance and operation support — Restrictions — Maximum levy percentage — Levy reduction funds — Rules. (Effective until January 1, 2012.)

The maximum dollar amount which may be levied by or for any school district for maintenance and operation support under the provisions of RCW 84.52.053 shall be determined as follows:

     (1) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1997, the maximum dollar amount shall be calculated pursuant to the laws and rules in effect in November 1996.

     (2) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1998 and thereafter, the maximum dollar amount shall be the sum of (a) plus or minus (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection minus (e) of this subsection:

     (a) The district's levy base as defined in subsections (3) and (4) of this section multiplied by the district's maximum levy percentage as defined in subsection (6) of this section;

     (b) For districts in a high/nonhigh relationship, the high school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the nonhigh school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the estimated amount of the nonhigh payment due to the high school district under RCW 28A.545.030(3) and28A.545.050 for the school year commencing the year of the levy;

     (c) Except for nonhigh districts under (d) of this subsection, for districts in an interdistrict cooperative agreement, the nonresident school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the resident school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the per pupil basic education allocation included in the nonresident district's levy base under subsection (3) of this section multiplied by:

     (i) The number of full-time equivalent students served from the resident district in the prior school year; multiplied by:

     (ii) The serving district's maximum levy percentage determined under subsection (6) of this section; increased by:

     (iii) The percent increase per full-time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year divided by fifty-five percent;

     (d) The levy bases of nonhigh districts participating in an innovation academy cooperative established under RCW 28A.340.080 shall be adjusted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction to reflect each district's proportional share of student enrollment in the cooperative;

     (e) The district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced by the maximum amount of state matching funds for which the district is eligible under RCW 28A.500.010.

     (3) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 2005 and thereafter, a district's levy base shall be the sum of allocations in (a) through (c) of this subsection received by the district for the prior school year and the amounts determined under subsection (4) of this section, including allocations for compensation increases, plus the sum of such allocations multiplied by the percent increase per full time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year and divided by fifty-five percent. A district's levy base shall not include local school district property tax levies or other local revenues, or state and federal allocations not identified in (a) through (c) of this subsection.

     (a) The district's basic education allocation as determined pursuant to RCW 28A.150.250, 28A.150.260, and 28A.150.350;

     (b) State and federal categorical allocations for the following programs:

     (i) Pupil transportation;

     (ii) Special education;

     (iii) Education of highly capable students;

     (iv) Compensatory education, including but not limited to learning assistance, migrant education, Indian education, refugee programs, and bilingual education;

     (v) Food services; and

     (vi) Statewide block grant programs; and

     (c) Any other federal allocations for elementary and secondary school programs, including direct grants, other than federal impact aid funds and allocations in lieu of taxes.

     (4) For levy collections in calendar years 2005 through 2017, in addition to the allocations included under subsection (3)(a) through (c) of this section, a district's levy base shall also include the following:

     (a)(i) For levy collections in calendar year 2010, the difference between the allocation the district would have received in the current school year had *RCW 84.52.068 not been amended by chapter 19, Laws of 2003 1st sp. sess. and the allocation the district received in the current school year pursuant to RCW 28A.505.220;

     (ii) For levy collections in calendar years 2011 through 2017, the difference between the allocation rate the district would have received in the prior school year using the Initiative 728 rate and the allocation rate the district received in the prior school year pursuant to RCW 28A.505.220 multiplied by the full-time equivalent student enrollment used to calculate the Initiative 728 allocation for the prior school year; and

     (b) The difference between the allocations the district would have received the prior school year using the Initiative 732 base and the allocations the district actually received the prior school year pursuant to RCW 28A.400.205.

     (5) For levy collections in calendar years 2011 through 2017, in addition to the allocations included under subsections (3)(a) through (c) and (4)(a) and (b) of this section, a district's levy base shall also include the difference between an allocation of fifty-three and two-tenths certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four enrolled in the prior school year and the allocation of certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four that the district actually received in the prior school year, except that the levy base for a school district whose allocation in the 2009-10 school year was less than fifty-three and two-tenths certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four shall include the difference between the allocation the district actually received in the 2009-10 school year and the allocation the district actually received in the prior school year.

     (6)(a) A district's maximum levy percentage shall be twenty-four percent in 2010 and twenty-eight percent in 2011 through 2017 and twenty-four percent every year thereafter;

     (b) For qualifying districts, in addition to the percentage in (a) of this subsection the grandfathered percentage determined as follows:

     (i) For 1997, the difference between the district's 1993 maximum levy percentage and twenty percent; and

     (ii) For 2011 through 2017, the percentage calculated as follows:

     (A) Multiply the grandfathered percentage for the prior year times the district's levy base determined under subsection (3) of this section;

     (B) Reduce the result of (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection by any levy reduction funds as defined in subsection (7) of this section that are to be allocated to the district for the current school year;

     (C) Divide the result of (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection by the district's levy base; and

     (D) Take the greater of zero or the percentage calculated in (b)(ii)(C) of this subsection.

     (7) "Levy reduction funds" shall mean increases in state funds from the prior school year for programs included under subsections (3) and (4) of this section: (a) That are not attributable to enrollment changes, compensation increases, or inflationary adjustments; and (b) that are or were specifically identified as levy reduction funds in the appropriations act. If levy reduction funds are dependent on formula factors which would not be finalized until after the start of the current school year, the superintendent of public instruction shall estimate the total amount of levy reduction funds by using prior school year data in place of current school year data. Levy reduction funds shall not include moneys received by school districts from cities or counties.

     (8) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (a) "Prior school year" means the most recent school year completed prior to the year in which the levies are to be collected.

     (b) "Current school year" means the year immediately following the prior school year.

     (c) "Initiative 728 rate" means the allocation rate at which the student achievement program would have been funded under chapter 3, Laws of 2001, if all annual adjustments to the initial 2001 allocation rate had been made in previous years and in each subsequent year as provided for under chapter 3, Laws of 2001.

     (d) "Initiative 732 base" means the prior year's state allocation for annual salary cost-of-living increases for district employees in the state-funded salary base as it would have been calculated under chapter 4, Laws of 2001, if each annual cost-of-living increase allocation had been provided in previous years and in each subsequent year.

     (9) Funds collected from transportation vehicle fund tax levies shall not be subject to the levy limitations in this section.

     (10) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop rules and inform school districts of the pertinent data necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

     (11) For calendar year 2009, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall recalculate school district levy authority to reflect levy rates certified by school districts for calendar year 2009.

[2010 c 237 § 1; 2010 c 99 § 10; 2009 c 4 § 908; 2006 c 119 § 2; 2004 c 21 § 2; 1997 c 259 § 2; 1995 1st sp.s. c 11 § 1; 1994 c 116 § 2; 1993 c 465 § 1; 1992 c 49 § 1; 1990 c 33 § 601; 1989 c 141 § 1; 1988 c 252 § 1; 1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 101; 1987 c 185 § 40; 1985 c 374 § 1. Prior: 1981 c 264 § 10; 1981 c 168 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 172 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 325 § 4.]

Notes: Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 84.52.068 was repealed by 2009 c 479 § 75.

     (2) This section was amended by 2010 c 99 § 10 and by 2010 c 237 § 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Expiration date -- 2010 c 237 §§ 1, 5, and 6: "Sections 1, 5, and 6 of this act expire January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 9.]

Effective date -- 2010 c 237 §§ 1 and 3-9: "Sections 1 and 3 through 9 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 29, 2010]." [2010 c 237 § 11.]

Intent -- 2010 c 237: "The legislature recognizes that school districts request voter approval for two-year through four-year levies based on their projected levy capacities at the time that the levies are submitted to the voters. It is the intent of the legislature to permit school districts with voter-approved maintenance and operation levies to seek an additional approval from the voters, if subsequently enacted legislation would permit a higher levy." [2010 c 237 § 3.]

Expiration date -- 2010 c 99 § 10: "Section 10 of this act expires January 1, 2012." [2010 c 99 § 14.]

Findings -- Intent -- 2010 c 99: See note following RCW 28A.340.080.

Effective date -- 2009 c 4: See note following RCW 28A.505.220.

Expiration date -- 2009 c 4 § 908: "Section 908 of this act expires January 1, 2012." [2009 c 4 § 909.]

Expiration date -- 2010 c 237; 2006 c 119; 2004 c 21: "This act expires January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 8; 2006 c 119 § 3; 2004 c 21 § 3.]

Funding not related to basic education -- 1997 c 259: "Funding resulting from this act is for school district activities which supplement or are not related to the state's basic program of education obligation as set forth under Article IX of the state Constitution." [1997 c 259 § 1.]

Purpose -- Statutory references -- Severability -- 1990 c 33: See RCW 28A.900.100 through 28A.900.102.

Effective date -- 1989 c 141: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989." [1989 c 141 § 2.]

Intent -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "The legislature intends to establish the limitation on school district maintenance and operations levies at twenty percent, with ten percent to be equalized on a statewide basis. The legislature further intends to establish a modern school financing system for compensation of school staff and provide a class size reduction in grades kindergarten through three. The legislature intends to give the highest funding priority to strengthening support for existing school programs.

     The legislature finds that providing for the adoption of a statewide salary allocation schedule for certificated instructional staff will encourage recruitment and retention of able individuals to the teaching profession, and limit the administrative burden associated with implementing state teacher salary policies." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 1.]

Severability -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 213.]

Effective date -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "This act shall take effect September 1, 1987." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 214.]

Intent -- Severability -- 1987 c 185: See notes following RCW 51.12.130.

Severability -- 1985 c 374: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1985 c 374 § 3.]

Effective date -- 1981 c 264: "Section 10 of this amendatory act shall become effective for maintenance and operation excess tax levies now or hereafter authorized pursuant to RCW 84.52.053, as now or hereafter amended, for collection in 1982 and thereafter." [1981 c 264 § 11.]

Severability -- 1981 c 264: See note following RCW 28A.545.030.

Effective date -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "This amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on September 1, 1979." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 3.]

Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "If any provision of this amendatory act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 2.]

Severability -- Effective date -- 1977 ex.s. c 325: See notes following RCW 84.52.052.

Payments to high school districts for educating nonhigh school district students: Chapter 28A.545 RCW.

Purposes: RCW 28A.545.030.

Rules to effect purposes and implement provisions: RCW 28A.545.110.

Superintendent's annual determination of estimated amount due -- Process: RCW 28A.545.070.

RCW 84.52.0531

Levies by school districts — Maximum dollar amount for maintenance and operation support — Restrictions — Maximum levy percentage — Levy reduction funds — Rules. (Effective January 1, 2012, until January 1, 2018.)

The maximum dollar amount which may be levied by or for any school district for maintenance and operation support under the provisions of RCW 84.52.053 shall be determined as follows:

     (1) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1997, the maximum dollar amount shall be calculated pursuant to the laws and rules in effect in November 1996.

     (2) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1998 and thereafter, the maximum dollar amount shall be the sum of (a) plus or minus (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection minus (e) of this subsection:

     (a) The district's levy base as defined in subsections (3) and (4) of this section multiplied by the district's maximum levy percentage as defined in subsection (6) of this section;

     (b) For districts in a high/nonhigh relationship, the high school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the nonhigh school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the estimated amount of the nonhigh payment due to the high school district under RCW 28A.545.030(3) and28A.545.050 for the school year commencing the year of the levy;

     (c) Except for nonhigh districts under (d) of this subsection, for districts in an interdistrict cooperative agreement, the nonresident school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the resident school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the per pupil basic education allocation included in the nonresident district's levy base under subsection (3) of this section multiplied by:

     (i) The number of full-time equivalent students served from the resident district in the prior school year; multiplied by:

     (ii) The serving district's maximum levy percentage determined under subsection (6) of this section; increased by:

     (iii) The percent increase per full-time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year divided by fifty-five percent;

     (d) The levy bases of nonhigh districts participating in an innovation academy cooperative established under RCW 28A.340.080 shall be adjusted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction to reflect each district's proportional share of student enrollment in the cooperative;

     (e) The district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced by the maximum amount of state matching funds for which the district is eligible under RCW 28A.500.010.

     (3) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 2005 and thereafter, a district's levy base shall be the sum of allocations in (a) through (c) of this subsection received by the district for the prior school year and the amounts determined under subsection (4) of this section, including allocations for compensation increases, plus the sum of such allocations multiplied by the percent increase per full time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year and divided by fifty-five percent. A district's levy base shall not include local school district property tax levies or other local revenues, or state and federal allocations not identified in (a) through (c) of this subsection.

     (a) The district's basic education allocation as determined pursuant to RCW 28A.150.250, 28A.150.260, and 28A.150.350;

     (b) State and federal categorical allocations for the following programs:

     (i) Pupil transportation;

     (ii) Special education;

     (iii) Education of highly capable students;

     (iv) Compensatory education, including but not limited to learning assistance, migrant education, Indian education, refugee programs, and bilingual education;

     (v) Food services; and

     (vi) Statewide block grant programs; and

     (c) Any other federal allocations for elementary and secondary school programs, including direct grants, other than federal impact aid funds and allocations in lieu of taxes.

     (4) For levy collections in calendar years 2005 through 2017, in addition to the allocations included under subsection (3)(a) through (c) of this section, a district's levy base shall also include the following:

     (a)(i) For levy collections in calendar year 2010, the difference between the allocation the district would have received in the current school year had *RCW 84.52.068 not been amended by chapter 19, Laws of 2003 1st sp. sess. and the allocation the district received in the current school year pursuant to RCW 28A.505.220;

     (ii) For levy collections in calendar years 2011 through 2017, the difference between the allocation rate the district would have received in the prior school year using the Initiative 728 rate and the allocation rate the district received in the prior school year pursuant to RCW 28A.505.220 multiplied by the full-time equivalent student enrollment used to calculate the Initiative 728 allocation for the prior school year; and

     (b) The difference between the allocations the district would have received the prior school year using the Initiative 732 base and the allocations the district actually received the prior school year pursuant to RCW 28A.400.205.

     (5) For levy collections in calendar years 2011 through 2017, in addition to the allocations included under subsections (3)(a) through (c) and (4)(a) and (b) of this section, a district's levy base shall also include the difference between an allocation of fifty-three and two-tenths certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four enrolled in the prior school year and the allocation of certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four that the district actually received in the prior school year, except that the levy base for a school district whose allocation in the 2009-10 school year was less than fifty-three and two-tenths certificated instructional staff units per thousand full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through four shall include the difference between the allocation the district actually received in the 2009-10 school year and the allocation the district actually received in the prior school year.

     (6)(a) A district's maximum levy percentage shall be twenty-four percent in 2010 and twenty-eight percent in 2011 through 2017 and twenty-four percent every year thereafter;

     (b) For qualifying districts, in addition to the percentage in (a) of this subsection the grandfathered percentage determined as follows:

     (i) For 1997, the difference between the district's 1993 maximum levy percentage and twenty percent; and

     (ii) For 2011 through 2017, the percentage calculated as follows:

     (A) Multiply the grandfathered percentage for the prior year times the district's levy base determined under subsection (3) of this section;

     (B) Reduce the result of (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection by any levy reduction funds as defined in subsection (7) of this section that are to be allocated to the district for the current school year;

     (C) Divide the result of (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection by the district's levy base; and

     (D) Take the greater of zero or the percentage calculated in (b)(ii)(C) of this subsection.

     (7) "Levy reduction funds" shall mean increases in state funds from the prior school year for programs included under subsections (3) and (4) of this section: (a) That are not attributable to enrollment changes, compensation increases, or inflationary adjustments; and (b) that are or were specifically identified as levy reduction funds in the appropriations act. If levy reduction funds are dependent on formula factors which would not be finalized until after the start of the current school year, the superintendent of public instruction shall estimate the total amount of levy reduction funds by using prior school year data in place of current school year data. Levy reduction funds shall not include moneys received by school districts from cities or counties.

     (8) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (a) "Prior school year" means the most recent school year completed prior to the year in which the levies are to be collected.

     (b) "Current school year" means the year immediately following the prior school year.

     (c) "Initiative 728 rate" means the allocation rate at which the student achievement program would have been funded under chapter 3, Laws of 2001, if all annual adjustments to the initial 2001 allocation rate had been made in previous years and in each subsequent year as provided for under chapter 3, Laws of 2001.

     (d) "Initiative 732 base" means the prior year's state allocation for annual salary cost-of-living increases for district employees in the state-funded salary base as it would have been calculated under chapter 4, Laws of 2001, if each annual cost-of-living increase allocation had been provided in previous years and in each subsequent year.

     (9) Funds collected from transportation vehicle fund tax levies shall not be subject to the levy limitations in this section.

     (10) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop rules and inform school districts of the pertinent data necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

     (11) For calendar year 2009, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall recalculate school district levy authority to reflect levy rates certified by school districts for calendar year 2009.

[2010 c 237 § 1; 2010 c 99 § 11; 2009 c 4 § 908; 2006 c 119 § 2; 2004 c 21 § 2; 1997 c 259 § 2; 1995 1st sp.s. c 11 § 1; 1994 c 116 § 2; 1993 c 465 § 1; 1992 c 49 § 1; 1990 c 33 § 601; 1989 c 141 § 1; 1988 c 252 § 1; 1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 101; 1987 c 185 § 40; 1985 c 374 § 1. Prior: 1981 c 264 § 10; 1981 c 168 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 172 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 325 § 4.]

Notes: Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 84.52.068 was repealed by 2009 c 479 § 75.

     (2) This section was amended by 2010 c 99 § 11 and by 2010 c 237 § 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Expiration date -- 2010 c 237 §§ 1, 5, and 6: "Sections 1, 5, and 6 of this act expire January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 9.]

Effective date -- 2010 c 237 §§ 1 and 3-9: "Sections 1 and 3 through 9 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 29, 2010]." [2010 c 237 § 11.]

Intent -- 2010 c 237: "The legislature recognizes that school districts request voter approval for two-year through four-year levies based on their projected levy capacities at the time that the levies are submitted to the voters. It is the intent of the legislature to permit school districts with voter-approved maintenance and operation levies to seek an additional approval from the voters, if subsequently enacted legislation would permit a higher levy." [2010 c 237 § 3.]

Effective date -- 2010 c 99 § 11: "Section 11 of this act takes effect January 1, 2012." [2010 c 99 § 15.]

Findings -- Intent -- 2010 c 99: See note following RCW 28A.340.080.

Effective date -- 2009 c 4: See note following RCW 28A.505.220.

Expiration date -- 2009 c 4 § 908: "Section 908 of this act expires January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 7; 2009 c 4 § 909.]

Expiration date -- 2010 c 237; 2006 c 119; 2004 c 21: "This act expires January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 8; 2006 c 119 § 3; 2004 c 21 § 3.]

Funding not related to basic education -- 1997 c 259: "Funding resulting from this act is for school district activities which supplement or are not related to the state's basic program of education obligation as set forth under Article IX of the state Constitution." [1997 c 259 § 1.]

Purpose -- Statutory references -- Severability -- 1990 c 33: See RCW 28A.900.100 through 28A.900.102.

Effective date -- 1989 c 141: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989." [1989 c 141 § 2.]

Intent -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "The legislature intends to establish the limitation on school district maintenance and operations levies at twenty percent, with ten percent to be equalized on a statewide basis. The legislature further intends to establish a modern school financing system for compensation of school staff and provide a class size reduction in grades kindergarten through three. The legislature intends to give the highest funding priority to strengthening support for existing school programs.

     The legislature finds that providing for the adoption of a statewide salary allocation schedule for certificated instructional staff will encourage recruitment and retention of able individuals to the teaching profession, and limit the administrative burden associated with implementing state teacher salary policies." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 1.]

Severability -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 213.]

Effective date -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "This act shall take effect September 1, 1987." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 214.]

Intent -- Severability -- 1987 c 185: See notes following RCW 51.12.130.

Severability -- 1985 c 374: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1985 c 374 § 3.]

Effective date -- 1981 c 264: "Section 10 of this amendatory act shall become effective for maintenance and operation excess tax levies now or hereafter authorized pursuant to RCW 84.52.053, as now or hereafter amended, for collection in 1982 and thereafter." [1981 c 264 § 11.]

Severability -- 1981 c 264: See note following RCW 28A.545.030.

Effective date -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "This amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on September 1, 1979." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 3.]

Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "If any provision of this amendatory act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 2.]

Severability -- Effective date -- 1977 ex.s. c 325: See notes following RCW 84.52.052.

Payments to high school districts for educating nonhigh school district students: Chapter 28A.545 RCW.

Purposes: RCW 28A.545.030.

Rules to effect purposes and implement provisions: RCW 28A.545.110.

Superintendent's annual determination of estimated amount due -- Process: RCW 28A.545.070.

RCW 84.52.0531

Levies by school districts — Maximum dollar amount for maintenance and operation support — Restrictions — Maximum levy percentage — Levy reduction funds — Rules. (Effective January 1, 2018.)

The maximum dollar amount which may be levied by or for any school district for maintenance and operation support under the provisions of RCW 84.52.053 shall be determined as follows:

     (1) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1997, the maximum dollar amount shall be calculated pursuant to the laws and rules in effect in November 1996.

     (2) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1998 and thereafter, the maximum dollar amount shall be the sum of (a) plus or minus (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection minus (e) of this subsection:

     (a) The district's levy base as defined in subsection (3) of this section multiplied by the district's maximum levy percentage as defined in subsection (4) of this section;

     (b) For districts in a high/nonhigh relationship, the high school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the nonhigh school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the estimated amount of the nonhigh payment due to the high school district under RCW 28A.545.030(3) and28A.545.050 for the school year commencing the year of the levy;

     (c) Except for nonhigh districts under (d) of this subsection, for districts in an interdistrict cooperative agreement, the nonresident school district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced and the resident school district's maximum levy amount shall be increased by an amount equal to the per pupil basic education allocation included in the nonresident district's levy base under subsection (3) of this section multiplied by:

     (i) The number of full-time equivalent students served from the resident district in the prior school year; multiplied by:

     (ii) The serving district's maximum levy percentage determined under subsection (4) of this section; increased by:

     (iii) The percent increase per full-time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year divided by fifty-five percent;

     (d) The levy bases of nonhigh districts participating in an innovation academy cooperative established under RCW 28A.340.080 shall be adjusted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction to reflect each district's proportional share of student enrollment in the cooperative;

     (e) The district's maximum levy amount shall be reduced by the maximum amount of state matching funds for which the district is eligible under RCW 28A.500.010.

     (3) For excess levies for collection in calendar year 1998 and thereafter, a district's levy base shall be the sum of allocations in (a) through (c) of this subsection received by the district for the prior school year, including allocations for compensation increases, plus the sum of such allocations multiplied by the percent increase per full time equivalent student as stated in the state basic education appropriation section of the biennial budget between the prior school year and the current school year and divided by fifty-five percent. A district's levy base shall not include local school district property tax levies or other local revenues, or state and federal allocations not identified in (a) through (c) of this subsection.

     (a) The district's basic education allocation as determined pursuant to RCW 28A.150.250, 28A.150.260, and 28A.150.350;

     (b) State and federal categorical allocations for the following programs:

     (i) Pupil transportation;

     (ii) Special education;

     (iii) Education of highly capable students;

     (iv) Compensatory education, including but not limited to learning assistance, migrant education, Indian education, refugee programs, and bilingual education;

     (v) Food services; and

     (vi) Statewide block grant programs; and

     (c) Any other federal allocations for elementary and secondary school programs, including direct grants, other than federal impact aid funds and allocations in lieu of taxes.

     (4)(a) A district's maximum levy percentage shall be twenty-four percent in 2010 and twenty-eight percent in 2011 through 2017 and twenty-four percent every year thereafter;

     (b) For qualifying districts, in addition to the percentage in (a) of this subsection the grandfathered percentage determined as follows:

     (i) For 1997, the difference between the district's 1993 maximum levy percentage and twenty percent; and

     (ii) For 2011 through 2017, the percentage calculated as follows:

     (A) Multiply the grandfathered percentage for the prior year times the district's levy base determined under subsection (3) of this section;

     (B) Reduce the result of (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection by any levy reduction funds as defined in subsection (5) of this section that are to be allocated to the district for the current school year;

     (C) Divide the result of (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection by the district's levy base; and

     (D) Take the greater of zero or the percentage calculated in (b)(ii)(C) of this subsection;

     (iii) For 2018 and thereafter, the percentage shall be calculated as follows:

     (A) Multiply the grandfathered percentage for the prior year times the district's levy base determined under subsection (3) of this section;

     (B) Reduce the result of (b)(iii)(A) of this subsection by any levy reduction funds as defined in subsection (5) of this section that are to be allocated to the district for the current school year;

     (C) Divide the result of (b)(iii)(B) of this subsection by the district's levy base; and

     (D) Take the greater of zero or the percentage calculated in (b)(iii)(C) of this subsection.

     (5) "Levy reduction funds" shall mean increases in state funds from the prior school year for programs included under subsection (3) of this section: (a) That are not attributable to enrollment changes, compensation increases, or inflationary adjustments; and (b) that are or were specifically identified as levy reduction funds in the appropriations act. If levy reduction funds are dependent on formula factors which would not be finalized until after the start of the current school year, the superintendent of public instruction shall estimate the total amount of levy reduction funds by using prior school year data in place of current school year data. Levy reduction funds shall not include moneys received by school districts from cities or counties.

     (6) For the purposes of this section, "prior school year" means the most recent school year completed prior to the year in which the levies are to be collected.

     (7) For the purposes of this section, "current school year" means the year immediately following the prior school year.

     (8) Funds collected from transportation vehicle fund tax levies shall not be subject to the levy limitations in this section.

     (9) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop rules and regulations and inform school districts of the pertinent data necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

[2010 c 237 § 2; 2010 c 99 § 11; 1997 c 259 § 2; 1995 1st sp.s. c 11 § 1; 1994 c 116 § 2; 1993 c 465 § 1; 1992 c 49 § 1; 1990 c 33 § 601; 1989 c 141 § 1; 1988 c 252 § 1; 1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 101; 1987 c 185 § 40; 1985 c 374 § 1. Prior: 1981 c 264 § 10; 1981 c 168 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 172 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 325 § 4.]

Notes: Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2010 c 99 § 11 and by 2010 c 237 § 2, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Intent -- 2010 c 237: "The legislature recognizes that school districts request voter approval for two-year through four-year levies based on their projected levy capacities at the time that the levies are submitted to the voters. It is the intent of the legislature to permit school districts with voter-approved maintenance and operation levies to seek an additional approval from the voters, if subsequently enacted legislation would permit a higher levy." [2010 c 237 § 3.]

Effective date -- 2010 c 237 § 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2018." [2010 c 237 § 10.]

Findings -- Intent -- 2010 c 99: See note following RCW 28A.340.080

Funding not related to basic education -- 1997 c 259: "Funding resulting from this act is for school district activities which supplement or are not related to the state's basic program of education obligation as set forth under Article IX of the state Constitution." [1997 c 259 § 1.]

Purpose -- Statutory references -- Severability -- 1990 c 33: See RCW 28A.900.100 through 28A.900.102.

Effective date -- 1989 c 141: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989." [1989 c 141 § 2.]

Intent -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "The legislature intends to establish the limitation on school district maintenance and operations levies at twenty percent, with ten percent to be equalized on a statewide basis. The legislature further intends to establish a modern school financing system for compensation of school staff and provide a class size reduction in grades kindergarten through three. The legislature intends to give the highest funding priority to strengthening support for existing school programs.

     The legislature finds that providing for the adoption of a statewide salary allocation schedule for certificated instructional staff will encourage recruitment and retention of able individuals to the teaching profession, and limit the administrative burden associated with implementing state teacher salary policies." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 1.]

Severability -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 213.]

Effective date -- 1987 1st ex.s. c 2: "This act shall take effect September 1, 1987." [1987 1st ex.s. c 2 § 214.]

Intent -- Severability -- 1987 c 185: See notes following RCW 51.12.130.

Severability -- 1985 c 374: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1985 c 374 § 3.]

Effective date -- 1981 c 264: "Section 10 of this amendatory act shall become effective for maintenance and operation excess tax levies now or hereafter authorized pursuant to RCW 84.52.053, as now or hereafter amended, for collection in 1982 and thereafter." [1981 c 264 § 11.]

Severability -- 1981 c 264: See note following RCW 28A.545.030.

Effective date -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "This amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on September 1, 1979." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 3.]

Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 172: "If any provision of this amendatory act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1979 ex.s. c 172 § 2.]

Severability -- Effective date -- 1977 ex.s. c 325: See notes following RCW 84.52.052.

Payments to high school districts for educating nonhigh school district students: Chapter 28A.545 RCW.

Purposes: RCW 28A.545.030.

Rules to effect purposes and implement provisions: RCW 28A.545.110.

Superintendent's annual determination of estimated amount due -- Process: RCW 28A.545.070.