We’re asking our community to vote on two levy propositions, an Educational Programs and Operations Levy or “EP&O Levy” and a Technology Levy or “Tech Levy.” Both are needed to replace levies approved by voters in 2018, which expire in 2022. The levies maintain vital funding for existing student programs and essential staffing, services, resources and technology not fully-funded by our state. Approval of these four-year levies maintains funding through 2026. 

No. The proposed Educational Programs & Operations Levy (EP&O) and the Technology Levy would replace and renew the current four-year levies that expire in 2022. It’s like renewing a subscription to a magazine or streaming service in order to keep getting it.

Yes. Voters in Snoqualmie Valley have a strong history of supporting school levies and have consistently passed them during the past 20 years. 

The state only pays for what it defines as “Basic Education.” Voters are often surprised by how “basic” the state funding really is. Much of what we take for granted and expect in schools is not covered under the state funding model. Some programs are “underfunded” by the state and others are not funded at all. 

Yes. Since the state only pays for Basic Education, almost every district in Washington has a local levy.  Those few that don’t, have little or no taxable property, because they’re on federal land and depend on federal funding to make up the difference rather than levies. 

It’s significant. Our schools have test scores and graduation rates far above state averages; national award-winning performing and visual arts; a wide range of advanced and accelerated course options for students; an exceptional range of career and elective classes; state and national award-winning activities and athletics; state-of-the-art technology for learning, including coding for all students K-8; and outstanding services for students with disabilities.

Our Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy accounts for 20% of our operating budget. One out of five staff positions depend on this funding. It pays for specialized academic & career training programs, extracurricular student activities (sports & clubs) and electives (music & art), Special Education, substitutes, school safety and security, food services, and much more. Vital student services, many essential staffing positions, staff training, and adequate mental health support for students is levy-dependent. 

The EP&O Replacement Levy bridges the gap between what the state funds as “basic education” and the actual costs of student programs, staffing and school operations. EP&O Levy funding is 20% of the district’s budget. This levy would sustain current staffing and services that support student opportunities, educational excellence and the well-being of all Snoqualmie Valley students. If approved, the EP&O levy would continue paying for programs and services like:

OPPORTUNITY:

• Increased Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes & other electives courses
• Extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs
• Middle School music, art, World Language, math pathways
• Advanced and specialized courses: Advanced Placement (AP), Gifted services K-5 (STREAM), College prep courses (such as AVID) and Alternative Learning programs
• Reduction of student fees for classes/labs

EXCELLENCE:

• Elementary math & reading specialists in every elementary school for learners needing extra support
• Staff training & competitive wages - to attract and retain outstanding educators
• Instructional coaches and curriculum - to help educators continually improve their craft
• Special Education services
• Paraeducators, substitutes, assistant principals and other support staff above state-funded levels

WELL-BEING: 

• Additional counselors & Behavioral Health support
• Additional school nurses and health room assistants
• School safety & security (both staffing and equipment)
• Food services (breakfast availability)
• Materials, supplies and curriculum to support building operations and learning 

88% of the EP&O Levy will go toward staffing costs (personnel). It funds one out of every five positions in our district, which is nearly 200 jobs! The remaining 12% pays for supplies, materials and other services.

About 20%.

The replacement Tech Levy would continue funding tech equipment, support, infrastructure needs, educational software, and training for students and staff.  It also ensures equitable access to technology for all our students and supports vital STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) learning opportunities at all age levels. 

Our district's Technology Levy would renew funding for:

• Hardware: Replace, maintain and purchase student devices (maintaining laptops for every student in grades 6-12 and elementary classroom sets of devices); Classroom teaching equipment & tools; Safety, security & emergency communication systems;
• Staffing & Training: K-5 Coding teachers and curriculum, Instructional Coaches and Building Tech Leaders, training for all staff, Tech Support team;
• Software & Connectivity: Network support (Wi-Fi, Switches, Routers, Access Points); Access controls and monitoring systems; Software to support student devices and  learning; Fiber network improvements;
• Equity and Access:

• Replacing, updating and expanding (with growing enrollment), our one-to-one computer initiative for students in grades 6-12 for school and home use, and maintaining classroom sets of computers for all K-5 students, ensures ALL students have equal access;
• Computer science/coding instruction in elementary for all K-5 students, and middle school courses, supporting tech proficiency;
• Assistive technology for students with disabilities;
• NEW: Audio amplification equipment (microphones and computer audio) in classrooms across the district. These are already in place at our newer buildings to ensure all students can hear lessons clearly and stay better engaged in classroom instruction and discussions.

State funding for technology is far below our actual needs to prepare our students for college, career and life readiness.  The Tech Levy covers 80% of the costs associated with technology in our schools. It supports K-8 coding teachers, hardware devices (classroom equipment as well as student laptops to ensure all students have equal access), software and web-based resources, staff technology training, infrastructure, including fiber replacement, plus network support for reliable service and connectivity. It also provides instructional coaches to help train teachers on how to effectively use technology in the classroom, and funds a significant portion of our Tech Support staff who keep all of those things running.  

• 40% for staff and training (tech support team, coding teachers, instructional tech coaches) 
• 35% to support hardware devices (student laptops, classroom equipment) 
• 25% to support software, web resources, and internet connectivity

No. The proposed Tech Levy replaces the current four-year levy that will expire in 2022.   

If approved, the proposed combined (EP&O and Tech) levy rate estimated for 2023 would be about $2.21 per $1,000 of assessed value (AV) for property owners. We estimate that rate would decrease slightly each year for the next 4 years as assessed values continue to increase (see the chart below). For comparison, the combined rate in 2021 was about $2.00 per $1,000 assessed value (AV).

No. The district only collects the dollar amounts advertised, regardless of assessed values. The rate per $1,000 assessed value will go up or down so the district only collects the amounts on the ballot. That’s why we describe the rates as “estimated.”

During 16 hours of public work-study sessions, District leaders and the School Board examined budget details and projections, labor market trends, inflationary projections, and supply chain issues and conducted historical budget and enrollment analyses to determine what is needed to maintain current programs, while providing flexibility to adjust to educational changes and community expectations through 2026.  After much debate and compromise, the School Board arrived at a unanimous recommendation and voted to approve the replacement levy proposals. 

Our district currently receives $602 less levy funding per student than the average of King County school districts in our region. That’s about $4.3 million less funding. The proposed levies would bring that to just below the average. While our services and programs continue to be on par with districts in our area, they are not sustainable over the next four years at the lower funding levels.

If approved, the proposed levies for 2023 would nearly reach the regional average among local school districts in terms of per pupil levy funding. While we are proud of the excellent programs we provide students, closing the funding gap is required to be able to sustain programs and opportunities that all Snoqualmie Valley students deserve in light of increasing costs and growing enrollment.

The slightly higher amounts proposed in the replacement levies are needed to maintain our high-quality programs by addressing the competitive labor market and staff shortages, supply chain issues, and growing cost inflation. Other districts have already made these adjustments to maintain their services and this proposal does the same for our district. This protects our programs from cuts that would be necessary without the adjusted levy amounts. 

This means the state may only partially fund a service or staff position, but not cover the true costs or actual needs. Here’s an example. For our entire district, the state funds just one school nurse position to serve 7,200 students. A second nurse position is paid with one-time federal dollars. Our district uses local levies to pay for the rest of our Health Services team (10 more nurses and 3 Health Room assistants). These nurses are normally busy with student health issues, medication and services. But since COVID, they have been essential to keeping schools open and students in school by supporting students and families while managing COVID health needs and requirements.

Between nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, instructional coaches, elementary reading and math specialists, and gifted teachers, there are nearly 45 staff positions not funded by the state.  Other underfunded areas include special education, arts and elective staffing, and staff compensation and professional development. 

On your tax bill you will see two amounts for “State Schools.” This is funding that pays for the state’s defined “basic education” staffing and operating costs for schools, which is only about 80% of our current costs. This is a state-controlled rate determined by the Legislature, which also largely dictates how these funds will be spent. Next on your tax bill, you will see amounts for our EP&O and Tech Levies. These are locally-controlled and cover costs outside of the state’s definition of basic education. Finally, you will see an amount for school bonds. This rate, which is going down, is currently paying off the cost of building the new Mount Si High School, Timber Ridge Elementary School and other facility improvements authorized in the 2015 bond, as well as amounts remaining from bonds that paid for the construction of Twin Falls Middle School.

Actually, our total tax rates for schools are lower now that they’ve been in the past and a little less than the average of the past decade. The following chart shows the history of these rates, along with the proposed rates for the next four years. 

The cost of the school levies is based on your assessed property value. This is different from what your home is worth or what you paid for your home. Assessed values are often far less than the sale price of a home. To calculate your annual cost, take your Assessed Property Value (AV), divide it by $1,000, and multiply it by the estimated rate ($2.21).

Register online at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx. The deadline to register online or update your registration online or by mail for the February Election is Monday, January 31. We have hard copies of registration forms at the District Office and school offices in English or Spanish. If you miss those deadlines, on February 8 (Election Day), you may still register and vote in-person at the King County Elections Office, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, phone: 206-296-8683 (VOTE).

Yes – and no stamp is needed!  In King County, all elections are mail-in only. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on January 19, and signed ballots must be postmarked on or before February 8, 2022, to be counted. 

There are three ways you can return your ballot:

• Ballot drop boxes:  Starting Jan. 20, you can submit your signed ballot to an official ballot drop box up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Feb. 8. In our area, King County Public Libraries in Fall City, North Bend and Snoqualmie all have drop boxes. 
• By mail:  If mailing your ballot, the Elections Office recommends dropping your ballot in the mail by the Friday before Election Day, to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted. No stamp is needed.
• Voting Centers:  Starting Jan. 19, King County Vote Centers will be available to voters needing assistance completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private ballot. 

Email elections@kingcounty.gov or call the Elections Office at 206-296-VOTE (8683) if you need additional assistance.

Yes.  Homeowners aged 61 or over, those permanently retired due to a disability, as well as some veteran families, may be eligible for a property tax deferral or exemption from local voter-approved property taxes, including school levies and bonds.  

The Washington State Legislature recently changed its eligibility requirements for exemption and deferral programs, so be sure to check their website for details to learn if you qualify: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/TaxRelief.aspx. If you have questions, please call the King County Assessor’s Office at 206-296-3920.

Basic Education is the minimum educational program that the state funds. The state legislature defines basic education and is required to fund it. Basic education is just that, basic. It funds a minimum number of school days and hours, a minimum number of staff, part of the costs of special education, some English Language support, some services for students below or above standard academically, about 70% of transportation costs, about 20% of technology costs, and an amount for supplies and equipment. Anything beyond the minimum basic education, including much we take for granted in our schools and district, falls on our community to cover through local levies.

State funding comes with strings attached, but levies allow districts some local control to expand support and opportunities that align with our community’s unique needs and priorities.  

Capital Bonds (often referred to as just “bonds”) provide long-term financing (typically 20 years – like a mortgage loan) for capital projects such as the construction of schools, acquisition of land, and purchase of equipment or modular buildings. Bond funds cannot be utilized to pay for day-to-day operating costs required to run schools. Bond elections require a supermajority (60% voter approval) to pass.

Levies are typically four years and are intended to cover the day-to-day operational costs of a school district not covered by the state under “basic education.” School districts must ask local taxpayers to consider renewing levies every four years to “fill the gap” in funding. This is necessary to sustain current programs for students and staffing. Levy funding serves the district’s local needs (and students) directly, rather than contributing to a larger state fund that is applied to school districts across the state. Levy elections require a simple majority (50% + 1 voter approval) to pass. 

We’re in great shape at the high school thanks to voter support of the 2015 bond. This allowed us to rebuild Mount Si High School into a state-of-the-art facility serving all SVSD students for many years to come. Additionally, that bond funded construction of Timber Ridge Elementary in Snoqualmie along with other renovations and improvements. Our earlier bonds will be paid off soon.

However, we do have some schools that are up to 60 years old with issues related to aging facilities, as well some significant capacity issues in our elementary schools due to enrollment growth. As a result, this fall we began the process of looking at our long-term school facilities needs. We hosted staff and community meetings at each of our elementary schools and a few middle schools to hear concerns and suggestions related to each community’s needs. 

No decision has been made and we will engage in more discussions and study in the months ahead to consider how best to plan and prepare for serving our growing student population. If another school needs to be built or expanded, we would have to run another bond.

Districts have one chance to re-run a levy that fails, during that same year. While Snoqualmie Valley has not had a double levy failure, districts that have failed twice have seen massive staff layoffs, significant cuts and elimination of programs, families taking their children to other districts or private schools, elimination of all sports and activities, lower test scores and serious problems attracting and retaining staff – just to name a few.