Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

School levies fund programs, services, and staff—helping cover the gap between state funding and the district’s operating costs.

No! These levies are renewals, not new taxes. They replace the current levies which expire at the end of 2026. Because our community has grown —both in residents and businesses—we anticipate a lower local school tax rate while maintaining services students and families rely on.

Each property owner’s school taxes are based on their property’s assessed value and the total levy amount that voters approve. The district can collect only that voter-approved total—no more—even if overall assessed values rise. The levy rate is adjusted each year to raise that fixed total.

Since the last levy in 2022, Lake Stevens has added new businesses, expanding the tax base—including Costco and growth along Soper Hill (Panda Express, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and more). When more homes and businesses share the levy, the cost is spread across more taxpayers, which generally means a smaller share for each individual property.

Funding for our schools comes from a combination of state, federal, and local sources. The state provides the majority of funding, but it does not cover all the costs of running schools, including salaries, additional staff, classroom resources, safety measures, and technology.

Local levies help fill that gap. They provide funding for:

• Educational programs and services like early learning, extracurriculars, and college/career readiness programs
• Staffing such as teachers, nurses, mental health specialists, and support staff
• Technology including devices, classroom tech, network upgrades, and professional learning for staff
• Safety and security measures in all schools

Without local levies, the district would not be able to maintain small class sizes, up-to-date technology, safe schools, and programs that support student success. These levies are renewals, not new taxes, and they ensure our students have the resources and support they need to thrive.

For more details, visit our School Funding page.

If approved by voters, the renewal of 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 in 2027, this equals approximately $1,267 annually, or $106 a month.

In 2026, a property owner with an assessed value of $700,000 is paying approximately $1,272 annually. This is a decrease of approximately $5 annually.

Technology Levy

The Technology Levy is a capital levy and falls under different guidelines than the Educational Programs & Operations Levy. If approved by voters, the 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 averages approximately $118 annually, or $9.86 a month.

In 2026, a property owner with an assessed value of $700,000 is paying approximately $135 annually. If the Technology levy is renewed, this would be an average decrease of approximately $17 annually.

Yes. Levy funds help pay for everyday operating costs like classroom supplies, utilities, maintenance, insurance, and transportation that the State’s basic education allocation does not cover. 

 Yes. The state does not provide any funding for athletics or extracurricular activities. The levy pays for 100% of these programs in LSSD, including funding for coaches, transportation, supplies, and support staff. In the 2024-25 school year we invested $2.3 million so students have these opportunities.

Our local levies pay for essential needs that are not fully-funded by the state. These include:

Health and safety: The levy funds our additional nurses, safety professionals, student mental health support specialists, and family engagement support professionals. 

High-quality instruction: The levy pays for the support and training our teachers and paraprofessionals need to provide students with high-quality instruction. It also funds our early learning programs.

• Note: We expect a $6.5 million Special Education gap this school year, even after the state and federal governments added $30.6 million. Because new rules require special education to be paid from basic education funds—not local levies—this renewal helps maintain more basic education services.

Academic and mental health support for students: The levy ensures that our students get the academic support to be on track. It also funds our drug and alcohol intervention professionals. 

Technology and instructional materials: The levies support our district 1:1 program, which was essential during Distance Learning. Each student in the district has access to a Chromebook and assistance with connectivity and needed supplies.

A portion of the property taxes that used to go directly to local schools now go to the state. The state redistributes those dollars back to school districts. Local districts can still ask taxpayers for a levy, but for a much smaller amount. Levy funding is still essential to pay for important needs not fully funded by the state.

The state legislature increased state property taxes in 2018 with the intent of lowering the local portion of school taxes, not eliminating them. This is a step in the right direction, but it is not a perfect solution. Here’s why:

• The state money must be spent in very specific ways. Those restrictions eliminate much of our local control for programs our students need and deserve, and our community wants in schools.
• Some districts can ask voters for more money per student than others. This is not an equitable solution because some districts will generate more funding than others.
• The state is not covering the full cost of staff pay and benefits, special education, transportation, teacher training, counselors and social workers, school nurses, and other critical needs.

School Districts in Washington state do not see any direct financial support from cannabis sales. Unlike Colorado, which has a lower tax rate and spends most of its marijuana money on schools, Washington allocates a portion of its marijuana tax dollars to substance-abuse education and treatment programs. The majority of these tax dollars go to the state’s Basic Health Plan Trust Account. (Source: WA State Office of Financial Management)

Levies are for learning and provide for the day-to-day operation of schools and programs. Think “L” for learning. Bonds are for building and are financed over a long period of time. Bond monies cannot be used to pay for programs or day-to-day expenses. Think “B” for building.

Both require voter approval. Check out this video to learn more.

Yes, if you meet certain criteria. Visit the Snohomish County Assessor’s website or call 425-388-3540 for more information.

Great schools benefit everyone—whether or not you have children in the district.

• Our schools are an investment supported by past tax dollars and a benefit for the entire community.
• Taxpayers own the schools, and supporting education benefits everyone.
• Property values increase in communities that support public education.
• Good schools help foster a strong local economy and increase property values.
• Investing in education helps ensure a brighter future for our community.

Levies require a 50 percent plus 1 vote simple majority to pass.

The Feb. 10, 2026 special election is an all mail election. Registered voters who live in the Lake Stevens School District boundary will receive their ballot around Jan. 23, 2026. Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. No postage is required to return your ballot. There is a secure ballot drop box at 1800 Main Street near the boat launch. The box is open until 8 p.m. on Election Night.

Information and updates will be shared on the district website, through our print and email publications, social media and during community meetings. To be added to our mailing lists, please email tellus@lkstevens.wednet.edu (current LSSD families and staff are already included).