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2026 Renewal Levies

See also: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | School Funding

February: Two renewal levies to maintain safety, staffing, and student technology

What's on the Feb. 10 ballot?

Lake Stevens School District will place two levy renewals on the Feb. 10, 2026 ballot—an Educational Programs & Operations Levy (EP&O) and a Technology Levy. These measures replace the levies approved in 2022, which expire in 2026.

Local levies bridge the gap between what the state funds and the actual cost to operate schools. They are not new taxes. With community growth expanding the tax base, the school district anticipates a reduction in the local school tax rate, while sustaining our current level of services.

“Renewing these measures continues local funding for the excellent services and programs we provide our students without adding new taxes,” said Dr. Mary Templeton, Superintendent of Lake Stevens School District. “Because our community has grown, we anticipate a lower local school tax rate while maintaining services students and families rely on.”

EP&O Levy

The renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy funds day-to-day school operations, including: hiring quality educators to support smaller class sizes and plan for continued student enrollment growth; providing full-time nurses at each school and student mental health support specialists at our secondary schools; hiring security staff and enhancing safety systems; continuing funding for early learning programs and access to extracurricular activities, athletics, arts and music. 

Student success, health and safety, programs and opportunities

Student Safety, Wellness & Support

  • School safety and security
  • Nurses
  • Student mental health support professionals

Student Access & Engagement

  • Family engagement specialists
  • Student transportation
  • Athletics and extracurricular activities
  • Early learning programs
  • Supplies, materials, utilities, insurance and maintenance

Staffing & Professional Growth

  • Hiring quality educators to support smaller class sizes
  • Para professionals to support student learning
  • Substitute personnel
  • Professional learning
EP and O monthly and annual costs

If approved by voters, the Educational Programs & Operations Levy will average $1.81 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This will generate approximately:

  • $24.99 million in 2027
  • $26.23 million in 2028
  • $27.55 million in 2029
  • $28.90 million in 2030

For a property owner with an assessed value of $700,000, this equals approximately $1,267 annually, or $106 a month.

Technology Levy

The renewal of the Technology Levy continues our investment in student and employee technology. This levy funds student computers to continue our 1:1 program, tech support for students and families, training for staff, network and cyber security, safety equipment, and updates to technology programs and systems to ensure our students and employees have the most up-to-date learning supports.

Devices, innovative learning, tech support and training

Student Devices & Lifecycles

  • Classroom technology to maintain 1:1 devices for students
  • Renewal of classroom technology and aging devices

Secure & Reliable Systems

  • Data protection and cybersecurity
  • Digital citizenship instruction
  • Infrastructure upgrades

Support, Training & Innovation

  • Technical support
  • Professional learning
  • Innovative technology
Tech levy monthly and annual costs

The renewal Capital Technology Levy is a capital funds levy and falls under different guidelines than the Educational Programs & Operations Levy. If approved by voters, the Capital Technology Levy will average $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This will generate $10 million over four years.

  • $2.5 million in 2027 (estimated $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
  • $2.5 million in 2028 (estimated $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
  • $2.5 million in 2029 (estimated $0.16 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
  • $2.5 million in 2030 (estimated $0.16 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

For a property owner with an assessed value of $700,000, this equals approximately $118 annually, or $9.86 a month.

Over the coming months, Dr. Templeton will present more information at community meetings about how these investments support our students.

School Funding

Questions about school funding? Visit our School Funding page.

School Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the levies? Visit our FAQ page.

FAQ

What's the Difference Between a Levy and a Bond?

Resources

2026 Informational Levy Presentation

2026 Informational Levy Presentation (PDF)

What's on the Feb. 10 ballot?

What's on the Feb. 10 ballot for Lake Stevens schools? A renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy and a renewal of the Technology Levy.

What's the difference between levies and bonds?

What's the difference between levies and bonds? Levies require 50%+1 approval to pass. Bonds require 60% approval to pass.

Renewal of the EP&O Levy

Renewal of the EP&O Levy supports student success, student health and safety, and student programs and opportunities.

Who do our levies fund?

Who do our levies fund? Local funding pays for essential staff positions to support student achievement, safety and well-being.

Extracurricular activities

The state does not fund athletics, clubs, or activities. We invested $2.3 million last school year in equipment, transportation, coaches and support staff so students have these opportunities.

EP&O Renewal Levy

The EP&O Levy renews the funding for day-to-day school operations and student supports.

Understanding school taxes

As property values increase, the tax rate decreases. More neighbors + businesses = lower tax amount per home.

Renewal of the Technology Levy

Renewal of the Tech Levy supports student devices & lifecycles, secure & reliable systems, and support, training and innovation.

Technology renewal levy

The Tech Levy renews funding for devices, classroom tech, networks & cybersecurity.

Voting details

A 24-hour secure ballot drop box is located at 1800 Main Street by the boat launch.

What you can do

You can share the facts, ask questions and remember to vote by Tuesday, Feb. 10.

LSHS Volleyball team

Vote by Feb. 10, 2026!