(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. They are operating. Apparently, no further grant money for e-buses will be available for LWSD; ~ $300,000- $400,000/ bus was quoted. There was no discussion of funding e-busses with the Capital Technology levy. Though, in 2001 LWSD passed a transportation levy.
Every four years the Educational and Operations (EP&O) and Capital Technology and Facilities levies are up for renewal. The board took formal action to approve a Lid-lift of these 2026 levies at their meeting on October 6, 2025. These replacement levies will 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 (that will be baked in for years) in the 2026 levy ask owing to:
- loss of federal funding 5%. (total funding is currently $1.3M)
- new sales tax on services
- salary step increase
- increased compensation
- 8% inflation growth
Capital Technology and Facilities tax increase of $45/year on $1.5M assessed property value ($.44/$1,000 property value.)
REF: final pages of the "Levy Renewals" slide deck
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.
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