Voters renew Issaquah and Lake Washington school levies
With the certification of election results on Feb. 20, residents in the Issaquah School District (ISD) and Lake Washington School District (LWSD) have officially approved all local property tax levies to fund schools in Sammamish and surrounding cities. These renewal levies will support educational operations, technology, safety, transportation, and facility needs for the next four years that are not fully covered by state and federal funding.
ISD Levies
All three of ISD’s levy renewal measures have passed, albeit with some of the closest margins out of all school levies that were on the ballot in King County.
Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy
- Yes: 54.31%
- No: 45.69%
EP&O helps fund main district operations and student services. This includes support for special education, counseling, mental health supports, safety and security personnel, enrichment opportunities and other services across all grade levels. It also accounts for a significant portion of the district’s general fund.
Capital Levy
- Yes: 53.96%
- No: 46.04%
The capital levy supports classroom technology, network infrastructure, device maintenance, and building repairs. It funds up-to-date technology needed for instruction, as well as improvements to facilities’ safety. The district’s website states that “no funding is proposed for constructing new schools.” However, ISD will use $146 million in existing funds from a 2016 bond and 2022 levy to build a smaller high school at the former Providence Heights College site with a 650-student capacity. Construction is set to begin on March 2.
Transportation Levy
- Yes: 55.46%
- No: 44.54%
This is a one-year levy that funds student transportation services, including bus operations, maintenance, renewal, and modernization. This includes purchasing newer buses and expanding infrastructure such as electric bus charging stations.
According to ISD, the combined tax rate will stay the same.
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS), an advocacy group that promotes the passage of ISD measures, is thankful the levies passed. VIS president Wright Noel viewed the results as a necessary step for the district’s future.
“[The ISD community] is a highly-educated community that values education and places an emphasis on the education of their children, who want well-educated children with many opportunities. And so we are in support of that,” Noel said.
LWSD Levies
Both of LWSD’s levy renewals passed with a more comfortable margin. These measures continue a four-year funding cycle that supports instruction, services and facilities.
Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy
- Yes: 63.40%
- No: 36.60%
The LWSD EP&O levy funds programs and services not fully supported by state funding. It supports student programs, staff such as counselors and nurses, special education, multilingual learning, early learning and highly capable programs.
School Technology & Capital Projects Levy
- Yes: 63.14%
- No: 36.86%
This levy continues funding for technology devices and training, network infrastructure, and building maintenance and upgrades, including heating, cooling and electrical systems.
According to LWSD, the combined property tax rate will increase by $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2027.
Trevor Willett, president of the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee and a parent, is grateful that these levy renewals passed.
“Thank you for coming together and supporting this common goal of providing quality education to my kids. It’s personally meaningful, and it’s meaningful for our community to move forward and to grow together,” Willett said.
