A well-rounded learning environment includes access to trusted adults, academic choices, support services, and opportunities to connect with others.
The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy includes funding for three key areas related to student experience: academics, student services, and activities and athletics.
Levy funding supports curriculum materials, Advanced Placement courses, library information specialists, staffing that helps manage class sizes, and elementary P.E., music, art and science teachers.
The levy helps fund counselors, nurses, behavioral specialists, technology support and staff who maintain safe, functioning schools.
The levy also directly supports Engage IRL, our district’s effort to connect every student with a sport, club, the arts or another in-person activity that matches their interests. Levy dollars help provide school sports, after-school clubs, music, theater, arts and hundreds of other Engage IRL programs.
Involved students have more opportunities to form friendships, build relationships with trusted adults and feel connected to their school community.
Data from the past few years also shows a clear relationship between involvement and student success.
Among elementary students, those participating in two or more activities had math proficiency rates 18.1 percentage points higher and reading proficiency rates 14.4 points higher than students with no activities. Chronic absenteeism declined from 32.6% among students with no activities to 14.7% among those involved in two or more.
At the secondary level, students participating in two or more activities had an average GPA of 3.18, compared with 2.65 for students with no activities. Their chronic absenteeism rate was 25.8%, compared with 44.1% for non-involved students.
By providing academic choices, student supports and opportunities to connect, levy funding is one resource that helps SPS create a more complete school experienc[SJ10.1]e where students can learn, build relationships, and feel that they belong.
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.