Three levies for the Issaquah School District sit on the April 26 ballot: the renewal of the educational programs and operations levy, the renewal of the capital levy, and the transportation levy.

EP&O levy

The existing educational programs and operations levy provides 15.6% of revenue towards funding Issaquah schools, which fills in the gaps between funding from the federal and state government.

The EP&O levy will replace the existing and expiring levy. It will continue to fund school nurses, counselors, extracurricular activities and athletics, substitutes, special education, safety and security, and custodial services, among others.

The total cost of this levy will be $262 million over the next four years. In 2023 and 2024, the projected tax rate for $1,000 of assessed property value is $1.43. In 2025 and 2026, the rate will drop to $1.42 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Capital levy

Capital levy funding will maintain current technology services and building updates. According to the Issaquah School District, 85% of the capital levy technology funds maintain current technology services.

The renewal of this levy will ensure that Issaquah students have the technology they require in and out of classrooms. It will also allow for schools and classrooms to update technology.

Issaquah High School is the third largest high school in Washington state, while Skyline High School is the eleventh largest high school in the state. With the growing district, this levy would help finalize a new high school building to reduce overcrowding.

This levy also covers school repairs, such as HVAC systems and roof maintenance.

The total cost of this levy over the next four years is $141.310 million. The tax rate for $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023 will be $0.73. In 2024, the tax rate will be $0.81, and in 2025 it will be $0.78. By 2026, the tax rate will be $0.75.

Transportation levy

The transportation levy is a one-year levy that would allow the district to purchase 64 new school buses in 2023 to 2026 to stay aligned with the state’s standards, and the district’s bus depreciation schedule.

According to Issaquah School District, 7,500 students are transported each morning and afternoon, and each year, 1.4 million miles are driven.

The transportation levy would cost $3 million with a tax rate of $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

For more information on the Issaquah School District levies visit https://www.isd411.org/about-us/initiatives/levy-2022