LWSD Board of Directors To Propose Levy Increases

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 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.  

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

Aspen Richter Opposes Martin For LWSD Director #4

Aspen Richter

Aspen Richter is running for Position #4 of the LWSD Board of Directors and has broad support from the community.  I first met Aspen at a "Move Redmond" luncheon; she always has her notebook with her to record salient points.  She likes to "move around" on her e-bike; and avoid guzzling cars!   

Environmental sustainablity at LWSD is a big thing for Aspen.  Below, are some personal notes of her accomplishments:  

Lake Washington PTSA Council Sustainability Chair, 2023-2025.

While Chair, I focused on bringing both district employees and sustainability chairs from the various school PTSAs together to exchange information and strengthen our sustainability efforts. 

I also collaborated with Matt Gillingham (Deputy Superintendent of Operations & Legal Affairs) to hold a linkage session for the board's draft sustainability policy with PTSA chairs, parents, students, and teachers.  I'm looking forward to what 2025-2026 brings for our environmental efforts in LWSD!

I am on the LWSD advisory committees for:

1) Sustainability

2) Facilities: I joined because of the financial and environmental impact of our buildings, and because I had children at two of the schools slated for rebuild from the proceeds of the 2024 levy.

3) Levy: A temporary committee in the spring and summer of 2025, because levies are how we fund facility improvements such as solar panels, switching to electric boilers, and installation of ground-source heat pumps to reduce our environmental impact. The levy committee is one I take very seriously, because the purpose of levy funds---funding our schools---is incredibly important and also because I am aware the end result is very real for property owners in LWSD.

Laliberete, Markert Contend for School Board Director 1

  November 7th General Election

Lake Washington School District #414, Director District No. 1

Contenders

ERIC LALIBERTE
School Board Director No.1
Priorities and BIO

ANDY MARKERT
School Board Director No. 1
Priorities and BIO

UPDATED: Public Servants: City Councilmember and School Board Director Salaries

The Mayor of Redmond faced controversary over consideration of salary increases for Council members.  Currently, *seven council members each receive $18,648 per year and over $28,000 in benefits.  They have about twice as many formal meetings as school board directors.  Directors receive $4,000/year much of which is typically directed to their annual retreat. No benefits. I will report EvergreehHealth commissioner compensation at a later date.  Operating budgets will be quoted.  

RCW 28A.343.400 Compensation—Waiver. Each member of the board

of directors of a school district may receive compensation of fifty

dollars per day or portion thereof for attending board meetings and

for performing other services on behalf of the school district, not to

exceed four thousand eight hundred dollars per year.  

Any director may waive all or any portion of his or her

compensation under this section as to any month or months during his

or her term of office.

The compensation provided in this section shall be in addition to

any reimbursement for expenses paid to such directors by the school

district.

-- Source:  Public Record Request, 7/19/2023

The School Board holds a Study Session and Business Meeting every other week.  They hold Executive Sessions and Special Meetings.  They get no benefits, health care insurance, etc.  There are 5 Board members.  

* With the exception of Councilmember Varisha Kahn, all the Redmond councilmembers and LWSD directors attended their meetings on a regular basis.  

cc: COR Council

LWSD Proposes Repurposing Levy Funds To Enlarge Rockwell Elementary

Re-directing construction levy funds, will be placed on the Monday, April 3, 2023 agenda for board action at 7PM.  Email your comments to Boardmembers@LWSD.org

LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen

 

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has proposed repurposing levy funds from the 2022 Building Excellence Construction Levy. These funds would be used to rebuild (partially tear down) and enlarge Rockwell Elementary School. The funds were originally planned to be used to build a new elementary school on the Redmond Elementary campus.

 

“Lake Washington School District values its partnership with our community,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “To that end, our commitment to fiscal responsibility includes using our public resources in the most efficient and effective ways to accomplish our goals of excellence in education for each student.”  

The 2022 Building Excellence Construction Levy was finalized in 2021. Since then enrollment in the Redmond-area elementary schools is lower than projected. The overall enrollment forecast is reduced. The current need for a new elementary school for 550 students has changed.

Watch this video from Dr. Holmen for additional information (4:16):

Direct link: https://youtu.be/BDpGZnSv0VI  [excellent video]

This proposal adds space for 252 additional students in permanent capacity, in an area that is still expected to grow. Permanent capacity at Rockwell Elementary would increase from 438 students to 690 students. This will also allow the district to address an aging facility now, at a lower cost, rather than waiting for a future measure to meet this need.

While the original resolutions allow funds to be used on any capital project, given the elimination of one project, and replacing it with another, this is being brought for board action.  Your comments can be emailed to the School Board at:  BoardMembers@lwsd.org

L.W School District Board of Directors named "Board of Distinction"

 

30 school boards across the state recognized

 

Redmond, Wash. – For the second consecutive year, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors has been named a “Board of Distinction” by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Only 30 of that state’s 295 school boards received recognition as Boards of Distinction. LWSD is one of 13 recognized in the “Large School Districts (9,001+ students FTE)” category.

The annual Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards. These standards promote research-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district achievement and help close gaps that impact student success.

“Governance of a large school system is complex,” stated Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “I am proud of the LWSD Board of Directors for their continued focus on students and issues of equity as they seek to create a more just educational system that aims at all students achieving excellence.” 

“The LWSD Board of Directors is honored to once again be recognized as a Board of Distinction,” stated Siri Bliesner, President, LWSD Board of Directors. “The Board is committed to supporting all of our students and to ensuring our students are at the center of our decisions and actions.”

-- Press release, 11/7/2022

Two Student Representatives (center in photo) were added to the Board in 2022 in order to provide student voices to Board conversations. High school students are encouraged to apply. Board members interview students and select one representative from the east side and another from the west side to serve on the Board. Most students will serve two-year terms. For the 2022-23 school year, the west side representative will only serve one year. A new west side representative will be selected in 2023., -website.

OPINION: Leah Choi Sworn Into LWSD Board

 

School Board Director Leah Choi

Leah Choi was sworn in a LWSD Board Director during last night's Regular Board meeting.  It didn't take me long to know how lucky we are.  She stepped right up with terrific questions and novel recommendations on various topics.  One Board member shocked by her alacrity put her on the spot with questions.  The member coined her as precocious.  IMO, one of the reasons Leah got elected was she is Asian and brings diversity to the Board.  District Asians (and other races) for the most part are highly engaged and take education seriously.  All participants on the superintendent selection committee I attended (Staven) were Asian except for me.  

-- Bob Yoder, opinion

    12/7/2021

Popular LWSD Board Director Cassandra Sage Runs For Re-election

Director Cassandra Sage

Cassandra Sage was elected to the board in 2017. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, a certificate in Montessori studies and is a certified P.R.I.S.M (Promoting Resilience in Stress Management) coach at Seattle Children’s Hospital. 

Additionally, she is a Family Centered Care Specialist for SCH and has served on their Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit Advisory Board, their Pain Medicine Board and their Serious Event Review Team. Her work at Children’s involves strengthening the partnership between medical providers, patients, and families to achieve best possible outcomes for kids.

Cassandra serves on the Eastside Human Services Forum board to build stable and equitable services for residents of East King County. She is also a member of Eastside Pathways, a “community-wide partnership on the Eastside that works collectively to attain better outcomes for children from cradle to career”.

Experience

• Elected director of Lake Washington School District, district 3, since 2017
• Eastside Human Services Board of Directors, since 2018
• Eastside Pathways collective impact collaboration – since 2019
• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) mentor 2018-2019
• 26-Year PTSA and Parent Volunteer, LWSD
• 19+ Year Family Advisor, Seattle Children’s Hospital
• 15 Year Cub Scout Den Leader
• 5 Year Director and Teacher of Montessori Preschool
• 3 Year Teacher of Montessori Kindergarten (all subjects)
• 3 Year Teacher Multi-age Montessori 1st-3rd Grade (Social Studies/Pro-Diversity Curriculum)

WEBSITE

School District V.P. Mark Stuart Running For Re-election

LWSD School Board V.P. Mark Stuart

I am proud to say that the following organizations and individuals are raising their voices in support of my candidacy:

King County Democrats
45th District Democrats

48th District Democrats

41st District Democrats

1st District Democrats

(4 for 4 in LWSD)

Labor Organizations

Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA)

Teamsters Local 763

LiUNA Laborers Local 242

Elected Leaders

State Senator Patty Kuderer, 48th LD

State Senator Derek Stanford, 1st LD

State Representative Vandana Slatter, 48th LD

State Representative Amy Walen, 48th LD

State Representative Roger Goodman, 45th LD

State Representative Larry Springer, 45th LD

State Representative MyLinh Thai, 41st LD

State Representative Shelley Kloba, 1st LD

Tanika Padhye, Redmond City Council President

Vanessa Kritzer, Redmond City Councilmember

Penny Sweet, Kirkland Mayor

Jay Arnold, Kirkland Deputy Mayor

Neal Black, Kirkland City Councilmember

Jon Pascal, Kirkland City Councilmember

Amy Steele Falcone, Kirkland City Councilmember

Joyce Bottenberg, Chair of Sammamish Human Services+

Eric Laliberte, LWSD President+

Ram Dutt, Snoqualmie Valley School Board Director

Roy Captain, Redmond Planning Commission &

Lake Washington School Foundation Chair

Community Leaders

Sarah Perry, Candidate for King County Council

Janet Richards, Candidate Redmond City Council and LWSD parent

Tara Van Niman, Candidate Redmond City Council and LWSD parent

Joan McBride, former 48th LD State Rep and Kirkland Mayor

Hank Margeson, former Redmond City Councilmember

Byron Shutz, former Redmond City Councilmember

Arnold Tomac, former Redmond City Councilmember

Pat Vache, former Redmond City Councilmember

Dave Asher, former Kirkland City Councilmember

Santos Contreras, former Kirkland City Councilmember and Deputy Mayor

Ramiro Valderama, former Sammamish City Councilmember and

Deputy Mayor

Jackie Pendergrass, former LWSD president

Sue Stewart, former chair of Redmond Human Services Commission

Larry Gilmore, Kiwanis immediate past president

Rabbi Burt Schuman

Anu Gopalam

Renay George

Cary Young

Reetu Gupta

CJ Kahler

Mardi Rhodes

Susan Weston

Tori Cannaday Jesse

Lisa Guthrie

If that's not enough. Read Mark's website.

Three school board members are up for election - May 17th is the last day to file

If you have thoughts about running for a school board position May 17th is the last day to file.. You have to live in the District in which you want to run.  Questions?  Contact sparthemer@lwsd.org, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.

Mr. Carson, Mr. Lilabarte and Ms. Bliesners's terms end this year.

Chris Carson - DISTRICT 2  Kirkland area / West Lk. Samm. Blvd./ No. Bridal Trails (tan district color)

Christopher Carlson, Ph.D., was elected to the school board in November 2007. He is a faculty member in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Division of Public Health Sciences. His lab focuses on identifying correlations between genetic variation and disease risk for cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases, then identifying the biological mechanism responsible. Carlson is also an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. He holds a B.A. in molecular biology from Pomona College. His Ph.D. is in genetics from Stanford University.

Three school board members up for election in 2019

If you have thoughts about running for a school board position, now is a good time to start planning. You have to live in the District in which you want to run. Each Board position is elected by the voters from the entire school district.  Questions?  Contact sparthemer@lwsd.org, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.

Chris Carson - DISTRICT 2  Kirkland area / West Lk. Samm. Blvd./ No. Bridal Trails (tan district color)

Christopher Carlson, Ph.D., was elected to the school board in November 2007. He is a faculty member in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Division of Public Health Sciences. His lab focuses on identifying correlations between genetic variation and disease risk for cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases, then identifying the biological mechanism responsible. Carlson is also an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. He holds a B.A. in molecular biology from Pomona College. His Ph.D. is in genetics from Stanford University.

Carlson has been an active member of the Lakeview Elementary School PTSA. He has been a participant in state PTA efforts for math and science education reform. He is also a member of the Washington State Board of Education K-12 Mathematics Standards Advisory Panel. He serves on the SBE K-12 Science Standards Advisory Panel. He coaches soccer in the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association and is an avid skier / snowboarder. He lives in Kirkland with his wife and three sons.

Eric Lilabarte - DISTRICT 1  Juanita / Finn Hill / No. Kirkland area (pink district color)

Eric Lilibarte was elected to the school board in November 2015. He is an attorney practicing business and real estate litigation at Keller Rohrback L.L.P. in Seattle. Laliberte is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. He also earned a Bachelors in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from Chapman University. In addition to his work on the school board, he also serves as Chair of the Kirkland Planning Commission and as a member of Leadership Eastside. He and his wife married in 2014. They live in the Juanita neighborhood of Kirkland. 

UPDATED: Lake Washington School Board Directors name north Redmond and Redmond ridge elementary schools

Deputy Superintendent Jon Holmen announced at the last Board meeting "Bobcat" is the mascot for Clara Barton El. and "Bear" is the mascot for Ella Baker El.   

Under school board guidelines the Directors name each new elementary school by selecting the names of a deceased person famous for work in science, the humanities, letters, or education. The final names on ballot for a student vote for north Redmond were:

1. Pat Tillman Elementary School 2. Clara Barton Elementary School 3. Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School 4. Fredrick Douglass Elementary School 5. Susan B. Anthony Elementary School 6. Amelia Earhart Elementary School,

The Board approved the name:   Clara Barton Elementary School for north Redmond.

The final names on ballot for a student vote for Redmond Ridge were:

1. Grace Hopper Elementary School 2. Ella Baker Elementary School 3. S.P. Clark Elementary School 4. Clara Barton Elementary School 5. Mary Jackson Elementary School

The Board approved the name:  Ella Baker Elementary School for Redmond Ridge

Ella Josephine Baker was an African-American civil rights and human rights activist. She was a largely behind-the-scenes organizer whose career spanned more than five decades. Wikipedia

Clarissa "Clara" Harlowe Barton was a pioneering nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was a hospital nurse in the American Civil War, a teacher, and patent clerk.  Wikipedia

"Walking School Buses" have many benefits, Apps make them easy

Walking Bus App

A Walking Bus is a form of student transport for schoolchildren who, chaperoned by two adults (a "Driver" leads and a "conductor" follows),walk to school along a set route, in much the same way a school bus would drive them to school.  Like a traditional bus, walking buses have a fixed route and designated "bus stops" and "pick up times" in which they pick up children.  

Walking contributes to overall good health and fitness and students who walk to school arrive at school alert and ready to learn.  A walking school bus adds in a fun and social aspect to walking as well as flexibility for the parents by sharing the walking duties. It takes cars off the roads and reduces carbon footprint.

The School Board and Traci are holding a public meeting tonight, September 11th, 7 pm at the School Resource Center in Redmond Town Center.  I hope some of you will turn-out to encourage Walking Buses at LWSD  There's a 3-minute "comment period" on the agenda where you're invited to talk to the Board and Traci about anything you want.  I hope to see you there!

 -- B. Yoder   

LETTER: President Pendergrass appreciates Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure all voices are heard at Rosa Parks

LETTER:  As president of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors, let me state that I do not agree, nor do I believe my fellow school board members agree, with this characterization of our reaction to the district administration's efforts concerning Rosa Parks Elementary School.  I believe the message Chris Carlson was trying to get across is that issues like this are complex , involve many different views and families and therefore take time to get to a resolution that is best for all students.

In fact, I appreciate Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure that all voices are heard in this situation. I also appreciate that it takes a little time to gather all the information and the public input that is needed to get to the right decision . That is what I expect of Dr. Pierce and I am confident that she will deliver.

Jackie Pendergrass
jpende47@gmail.com

In response to:   http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2012/09/rosa-park-parents-and-school-board.html

UPDATED, 2012: LW School Board superintendent selection process was lacking.

Jon Holmen, LWSD administrator ran for Olympia School District superintendent  December, 2011 after OSD Superintendent Bill Lahmann announced his retirement on November 2, 2011. 

Holmen was chosen after a national search that resulted in 30 Olympia School District applicants.  Of those, 21 were educators from Washington and five were called for preliminary interviews before the board. The board then selected three finalists, who each spent a day in the district March 20, 21,and 22 for meetings with employees, community members, and student. The winning candidate was selected late in March. Jon was not selected.

The LW School Board's hiring process for Dr. Pierce was less transparent, took much longer and was less engaging. Jon Holman was never considered.   LWSD Board of Directors interviewed and selected their finalist mostly behind the closed doors of Executive Sessions.  Closed government.  The Board selected only one finalist, Traci Pierce so the public had no choice or basis for comparison.  Pierce attended four "meet and greets" as the Board's "preferred" and only candidate.  In addition, all of 40 district residents took a survey. 

A comprehensive, public, transparent search was conducted following Sup. Pierce's departure; Jane Staven was hired.  She lasted about a year.  During COVID the Board abruptly hired Jon with little fanfare. 3/21)