New School Board Deliberates on Electric Busses

 

(l-r) Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen, President Lisa Guthrie, VP Eric Laliberte, Angela Meekhof, Aspen Richter, Lindsey Yocum (government affaires) and two student representatives, Hoe and Reddy.  

BIO's HERE.

My wife and I went to the swearing in ceremony for Aspen Richter and Angela and stayed for their business meeting.  Sustainability was their focus and priority.  There was much talk about electric buses; and including them as part of their 136 bus fleet.  Grant money for four e-buses was awarded to serve four schools with low-income students.  Apparently, no further grant money for e-buses will be available for LWSD;  ~ $300,000/ bus was quoted.  There was no discussion of funding e-busses with the Capital Technology levy.  Though, in 2001 LWSD passed a transportation levy.  

LEVY UPDATE:

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. 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 tax increases of $180/year on $1.5M assessed property value ($.97/$1,000 property value)  and a Capital Technology and Facilities tax increase of $45/year ($.44/$1,000 property value.)  I suggest you read the "Levy Renewals" slide deck document for a readable, comprehensive report. Some tax increases may be higher or lower than quoted here.

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.