An important ballot will arrive in Issaquah and Sammamish mailboxes beginning today. The Issaquah School District and the Lake Washington School District each are seeking approval of three measures to improve the schools.
All deserve a strong “yes” vote.
Issaquah School District
Proposition No. 1 is a levy that would raise between $44 million and $54 million a year from 2015 to 2018 to help pay for the day-to-day costs of operating the schools. It replaces one that expires this year.
Yes, the state provides some of the money for Issaquah schools, but not nearly enough. In fact, 21 percent of the district’s day-to-day operating funds come from local support. That is equivalent to 485 classroom teachers.
Proposition No. 2, another levy, would provide $1.7 million in 2015 to purchase 71 buses to keep the district’s fleet to run as safely, cleanly, and efficiently as possible.
A third levy, also to be collected from 2015 to 2018, would raise $41.8 million for technology and $10.2 million to maintain heating and cooling systems, add more portable classroom space, make security upgrades.
Lake Washington School District
Proposition No. 1 provides money for day-to-day expenses. Similar to Issaquah, the local funds pay for 30 percent of the district’s teacher costs and 36 percent of non-teaching costs.
The levy replaces the current levy and would raise $65.9 million on average each year for four years.
Proposition No. 2, a capital projects levy, would provide money both for facilities and technology.
Facilities needs include replacing and/or upgrading major systems that are aging, such as roofs, flooring, heating, ventilation and more. It also provides for new door locks and window shading for security at all classrooms.
Technology improvements involve replacing worn-out student computers and maintain the teacher training program in technology.
Proposition No. 3 is a bond measure to provide space for 4,000 more students projected to arrive in the next eight years.
To meet that need, the district would build three new elementary schools, one new middle school, make additions to Eastlake High School and Lake Washington High School, add a high school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math and an international-focused high school on the east side of the district. A number of aging schools would be replaced, too.
Approving all three measures would result in a tax of $4.73 per $1000 of assessed value. For the owner of an average home in the district, the increase would be $365 per year, or $30 per month.
The two school districts have been good stewards of the money Issaquah and Sammamish voters have provided. The schools are safe for our children, the teachers some of the best in the state, and the students perform at a high level in the classroom – and later on in life.
A side benefit: the quality of our schools make Issaquah and Sammamish desirable places to live and that keeps our property values high.
The Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter recommends a “yes” vote on all three measures in both districts.
– Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
