At its June 24 meeting, a citizens’ advisory committee provided the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) board of directors a recommendation for school funding levy and bond measures to place on the ballot in February 2014.
The levies would replace current measures that expire at the end of 2014, while the bonds would address building schools to house projected enrollment growth and to modernize existing schools.
The advisory committee, which included parents and community leaders as well as district staff, reviewed and discussed community input data collected in four community information sessions held in the spring as well as through the district’s website. Additional data from a parent survey was considered. The group reviewed cost factors and tax rate information as well. After reviewing different scenarios for potential measures, they developed a consensus for an overall recommendation.
Three measures are being proposed for school board consideration, including a replacement of the current expiring Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Capital Projects levies, as well as a bond measure to build new and modernize existing schools.
The EP&O levy funding makes up about 23 percent of the district’s general fund revenues. It provides funding for such items as textbooks, insurance, utilities and maintenance, teacher planning, preparation and training, athletics and activities. The committee recommended a Capital Projects levy that would fund both facility projects and technology projects. Both the EP&O and Capital Projects levies replace expiring levies. The EP&O levy would cost $1.85 per thousand dollars of assessed value and the Capital Projects levy would cost 91 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.
The committee also recommended running a bond measure to raise $755 million to build new schools to accommodate growth and to accomplish most of the planned third phase of the district’s modernization program. Over the next eight years, it would enable the district to build new schools and additions to house the increase of 4,200 in enrollment expected in the next eight years and to modernize aging facilities.
The bond measure would fund:
- Three new elementary schools,
- One middle school or equivalent space,
- Additions for Lake Washington and Eastlake High Schools,
- A STEM-focused high school on the west side of the district and
- An international-focused high school on the east side of the district.
- The modernization of Juanita High School and five of the other eight schools currently planned for modernization in the third phase of the district program.
In developing their recommendation, the committee examined tax rates for school districts around King County. The Lake Washington total of $3.75 per thousand of assessed value in 2013 is fourth lowest of 11 King County districts, ranging from $2.44 in Seattle to $7.54 in Federal Way.
Community members who would like to weigh in on the proposed measures may contact the school district board of directors via email at board@lwsd.org or by mail at P.O. Box 97039, Redmond, WA 98073.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input to the board about the proposed tax measures at the Aug. 5 school board meeting. More information on the development of the proposed measure is available on the district website’s 2014 levy and bond page.
