The district gets its operating revenue from five primary sources: state apportionment, local levy, state categorical, federal funds and fees for district programs.
State general funds
State apportionment, or state general purpose funding, provides the largest portion, 56.9 percent, of Lake Washington School District’s general fund revenue. The amount is determined by the number of students attending our schools and a series of formula factors. Those factors include legislatively-set base salaries, employee benefits and non-labor allocations. The collective education and experience of our teachers also affect the apportionment, since the state will provide a higher amount for teachers with more education and/or more experience.
Educational programs and operations levy
The local property tax levy provides 18.5 percent of general budgeted revenues. These levy amounts are capped by the legislature: the district cannot raise more money than the limit even when your property value rises or even if the community wanted to raise more money for schools. Levies must be approved by Lake Washington District voters at a special election. The last levy was approved in 2006 and is in effect for 2007 through 2010.
State designated funds
State dollars that are earmarked for specific categories provide 13.1 percent of budgeted revenues. These funds must be used for specific categories such as special education, pupil transportation, English Language Learner education, learning assistance, student achievement and education enhancements. Most of these revenues are given for a specific program and are not available for other purposes.
Federal funds
Money from the federal government comprises 5.4 percent of district revenues. These dollars fund such programs as Head Start and Title I (educational enhancements to improve achievement of low-income children). They also provide supplemental funding for special education programs and support free and reduced price lunches in the food service program. These revenues also may only be used for their specific program purpose.
Fee programs
The district generates 6.1 percent of its own revenue by charging fees for programs such as extended day care and all-day kindergarten. This category includes revenue from sales of school lunches and investment interest earnings.
Other school district or agencies
Payments from other districts for participation in joint programs, grants from other non-state agencies and transfers from Capital Levy for Technoloy Training & Applications accounts for 1.8 percent of budgeted revenues.
Lake Washington School District – Major Sources of General Revenue
