Dr. Jon Holmen, LWSD Superintendent says...
"Our community has an opportunity to set the stage for future generations, continuing to make Lake Washington a great place to live, raise a family and educate children,” said “Our students deserve educational environments that match the excellence we strive to attain with each of our students.”
Why does the district need a construction levy?
To continue to provide excellence in education for the students of our community, LWSD recommends placing this measure on the ballot. This levy will focus on aging facilities - to rebuild and enlarge the four remaining schools that have not received upgrades or rebuilds since the start of the 1998 modernization program. This levy would allow the district to ensure secure facilities with single entry points, interior hallways, and other features to ensure students continue to learn in a safe environment.
Levy will focus on replacing four aging schools and upgrading/modernizing the fieldhouse and community pool at Juanita High School.
· Rebuild and enlarge Alcott Elementary
· Rebuild and enlarge Smith Elementary
· Rebuild and enlarge Kamiakin Middle School
· Rebuild and enlarge Evergreen Middle School
· Upgrade and modernize the fieldhouse and community pool at Juanita High School
"Rebuild" means that a new school building will be built on the same campus and then the old building will be torn down.
The board considered recommendations, received information, and provided feedback in five study sessions between March 2023 and March 2024. The Facility Advisory Committee provided feedback on recommendations for future facility planning to accommodate our changing enrollment landscape and continue to provide learning environments that promote excellence for students.
You can view the May 20, 2024 School Board presentation here.
Learn more on the LWSD website:
https://www.lwsd.org/programs-
Director of Communications
Lake Washington School District
The levy amount is $676.9 million.
ReplyDeleteThe levy passed.
ReplyDeleteOPINION:
ReplyDeleteFACTS BEHIND THE 2026 4-YEAR LEVY RENEWALS:
Currently, 16% of the Lake Washington School District budget is funded by two levies that can be renewed (replaced) every four years by the vote of the people. The levies up for renewal in 2026 are: Educational and Operations (EP&O) and Capital Technology and Facilities.
In late 2025, the board approved an "Excess Levy" also known as "Levy Lid Lift) to fund.
> the loss of federal funding 5%. (total funding is currently $1.3M)
> the new sales tax on services
> salary step increases
> increased compensation
> 8% inflation growth
The propositions were very poorly worded on the ballot and "disguised" the Lifts) Both propositions passed by ~ 60%