Capital Levy
TEAM Riverside voters will be asked to vote on a Capital Levy for District-wide Safety, Security, and Technology Improvements and District-wide Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling System Improvements on the General Election ballot on November 4, 2025.
Click link to find additional information about the November 2025 Capital Levy:
Introduction
Due to the community’s feedback that the February 2024 bond was cost prohibitive, the Riverside Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) was asked to analyze the facility needs of the district and provide recommendations to the School Board. Consisting of community members, parents, students, staff, and board liaisons, the committee spent months prioritizing facility conditions and weighing future needs. The committee recommended the School Board place a short-term, 5-year capital levy on the November ballot to address two projects: security/safety/technology and HVAC. While re-running the February 2024 bond was considered, the FAC instead proposed this $18 million short-term capital levy, estimated to cost $1.45/$1,000 for five years.
The School Board wants to hear from its families, staff, and community regarding the committee’s recommended projects. The district has created a survey that allows stakeholders to provide input. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts to help the School Board ensure that the committee’s recommendation aligns with our community’s needs.
How do I access the survey?
To access the survey (see DRAFT SURVEY), use your phone to scan the QR code (insert a code below) or visit our website at (insert link to specific capital levy page) to access the survey. Additionally, paper surveys can be requested by picking one up at a local school or district office and returning them to: 34515 N. Newport Highway Chattaroy, WA 99003. Additionally, we can mail you a paper copy to complete by contacting us at 509-464-8201 or (include an email address specific to capital levy information).
What are the projects the committee identified?
After significant study and analysis, the FAC recommended the following two projects:
District-wide Safety, Security, and Technology Improvements
(estimated cost of $1,250,000 over 5 years)
Safety, security, and technology improvements will replace outdated cameras, automated locks, intercom and communication systems, emergency response systems, technology infrastructure and hardware at all schools, as well as address outdoor and indoor safety measures.
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District-wide Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System Improvements
(estimated cost of $16,863,000 over 5 years)
HVAC improvements will replace building control systems, boilers, pumps, piping, valves, actuators, sensors, coils, variable frequency drives, belts, and bearings at all schools. While the Riverside staff has maintained the equipment well for many years, most of these systems are 30+ years old and need substantial improvements to last the next 30 years.
Why did the committee recommend a capital levy instead of a bond?
Following an unsuccessful bond attempt in 2024, the FAC recommended a short-term capital levy to address two priority projects. The smaller scope of the projects, estimated to cost $18M, is far better suited for a capital levy than a bond. Unlike a bond that assumes longer-term debt to address larger scale projects like new schools, a capital levy is a common way schools fund smaller-scale projects like those being proposed. Unlike a bond, when all of the money is received upfront, a portion of the total levy amount is received annually as property taxes are collected, funding specific projects over the levy term. Unlike a bond that incurs longer-term debt payments over time, after five years, the capital levy expires and is no longer collected.
What about the need for other school improvements?
Those needs did not go away. However, the Facilities Advisory Committee recommended the School Board begin by first addressing the most time-sensitive and critical projects through a short-term, 5-year capital levy. Following the capital levy improvements, the committee recommends a future measure be considered to address remaining, long-term school improvements. If approved by the School Board and voters, a future measure could replace the expiring levy rate in 2030, keeping tax rates flat and predictable for the Riverside community.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If the board chose to proceed with the capital levy proposed by the committee, how much would my taxes go up?
- The short term, 5-year capital levy is estimated to cost $1.45/$1,000 of assessed property value. For a $500,000 home, that would result in $725 per year ($60 per month).
- If the capital levy is approved, how can I be sure that my tax dollars will be spent wisely?
- The Riverside School District will seek applications from community members to serve on the Riverside Capital Levy Community Oversight Committee (CLOC). This citizen-led group will be charged with overseeing implementation, accountability, and community trust and transparency once the measure passes.
- When will the Riverside School Board make a final decision on the capital levy?
- The School Board plans to consider a levy resolution in July, prior to the August deadline for November elections.
Did you know?
- The state’s school funding formula does not provide resources for large capital costs. While resources are provided through limited funds for general care and upkeep, districts must rely on capital levies and bonds to address larger renovations and improvement needs.The district spends approximately (TBD from the business office) a year, more than the State provides, in preventative maintenance caring for its existing facilities.