At its regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday night, the College Place Public Schools (CPPS) Board of Directors voted unanimously to place a renewal of the expiring 2023 to 2026 Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy on the February 10, 2026 ballot.
The proposed renewal levy maintains vital funding that supports high-quality learning experiences for students in every CPPS school for 2027-20230. These locally approved funds bridge the gap between what the state funds and what actual costs are to operate schools at the current standard. The renewal will also help the district keep up with the rising costs of educational programs, safety supports, staff, and services.
If approved, this levy would continue to fund essential educational programming, including classroom staffing, student mental health supports, extracurricular activities like band, choir, and athletics, and school safety enhancements. These are programs and services that are not fully funded by the state.
“College Place Public Schools delivers an exceptional education in a supportive, small-school environment,” said Board Chair Eva Brown. “Renewing this levy is essential to sustaining the programs and opportunities our students deserve and to upholding our commitment to responsible, transparent use of local taxpayer funds.”
The EP&O levy currently makes up roughly 18 percent of the CPPS annual operating budget. It is not a new tax, but a continuation of an expiring levy that voters last approved in 2022 at the same rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Renewal of the levy will not raise the tax rate above the amount previously approved, though actual collections are capped by state-defined levy limits.
Superintendent Jim Fry emphasized the importance of continuity: “This renewal is about maintaining the level of service and support our students rely on. These local dollars ensure that every student is known, challenged, and prepared for a bright future. It’s how we deliver on our mission every day.”
The official election date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Voters within the College Place Public Schools boundaries will receive ballots by mail in late January. For more information about what the levy funds visit https://www.cpps.org/page/levy-2026