TAX INCREASES
Every four years the Educational and Operations (EP&O) and Capital Technology and Facilities levies are up for renewal. The board will take formal action on the 2026 levies at their meeting on October 6, 2025. Once approved by the board, these replacement levies would be placed on the February 10, 2026, ballot.
Currently, 16% of the Lake Washington School District budget is funded by these two "replacement" levies. The school board is proposing a special "excess" increase in the 2026 levy ask owing to:
- loss of federal funding (currently 5%)
- new sales tax on services
- salary step increase
- increased compensation
- 8% inflation growth
EP&O Levy Program Funding (% of total program funds:)
- 25% Special Education* $22.0 Million
- 20% Counselors $3.0 Million
- 46% 6.5 Million Health and Mental Health Services
- 93% Safety Services $7.0 Million
- 80% Professional Learning $18.8 Million
- 90% Athletic & Extracurricular Activities $9.4 Million
- 100% Additional Course Offerings $5.0 Million
- 30% Early Learning $0.8 Million
Capital Technology & Facilities excess levy will finance:
- Application and modernization for technology systems. Education and operations instruction.
- Acquire and install computers, implement, train, and manage.
- Modernize and expand facilities through construction, renovation, and improvements. Improve technology and training.
On October 6, the Board will make their final decision on the 2026 excess levy tax increases. To comment email them at boardmembers@lwsd.org or phone 425-936-1257 ... before Oct. 6.
Reported by Yoder, 9/18/25
Source: LWSD "Levy Renewals" document
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete