Cost of School Bond and Tech Levy Demystified

Be an informed voter. Bonds are more complicated than they appear.

Voters need full transparency about the costs taxpayers in the Highline School District are going to pay for the district’s $595 million bond and $48 million tech levy on the ballot.

The voter pamphlet does not provide the same cost information for both measures. Here is additional information to help clarify. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

There are three key points:

1. The voter materials leave a gap

The tech levy information includes an estimated tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property value. The bond information does not include that same estimate.

Both ask voters to approve taxes. Providing comparable cost information would help voters understand what they are being asked to pay.

King County ballot closeups of Highline Schools measures. Proposition 1 for the construction bond does not include estimated rates, while the Proposition 2 levy includes estimated rate details. The Voter Guide also bypasses the estimated rates per year. Images of a King County ballot.

2. Your total local school tax includes more than these two measures

If you are wondering what your total cost of local school taxes is estimated to be, include the proposed bond, existing bonds, proposed tech levy and operations levy. Operations levy collections are already set to nearly double in 2030 compared to 2025.

For a calculation including the proposed measures, use the combined estimated rate of $4.89 per $1,000 of assessed value, here is how to calculate the cost:

Assessed property value ÷ 1,000 × $4.89 = estimated annual local school tax.

That works out to $489 annually for every $100,000 of assessed value:

A house assessed at $500,000 would have an estimated annual local school tax of $2,445.
A house assessed at $800,000 would have an estimated annual local school tax of $3,912.

These figures represent the combined local school tax, not just the additional cost of the proposed bond and tech levy. They do not include the state property tax for schools.

Estimated combined local school tax rates for the next four years, including existing taxes and the proposed bond and technology levy. Graphic from Highline Public Schools’ mailer.

3. Lower property values do not necessarily mean lower taxes

The district’s estimates assume property values will increase. However, if the district’s total assessed property value falls, the rate needed to collect the same tax amount rises.

Your individual bill also depends on how your property’s assessed value changes compared with other properties in the district. A lower property assessment does not guarantee a lower tax bill.

Ballots are due by November 3 at 8 p.m. Remember to vote.

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