• 2022 Replacement Levies

    Levy Update

    Thank you to our community for your support! Both of the Lake Stevens School District levies passed, and the election was certified. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, and to everyone who volunteered their time to share the importance of these levies.

    Both levies are passing

    Trouble viewing the video? Watch the 2022 Lake Stevens School District Levy Renewals on Vimeo.

    In the Feb. 8 election, our community will consider renewing two education funding measures—the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Technology Levy. These local levies ensure we can continue providing students with a quality education in an engaging environment.

     

    Replacement levies collage

    School board approves adding funding measures to February ballot

    Voters will consider renewing two levies on Feb. 8, 2022

    At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Lake Stevens School District Board of Directors unanimously approved placing two funding measures on the Feb. 8, 2022 ballot. These two levies replace expiring levies and are not new taxes. The levies continue critical funding for our operations and technology work.

    “We are asking our community to replace our local levies so we can continue to provide quality programs led by staff members who support the learning needs of all of our students,” said Dr. Ken Collins, Superintendent of Lake Stevens School District. “Our Board of Directors was very intentional in selecting a levy amount that allows us to continue to provide the programs and services that our community has come to expect, while also considering the impact of our taxpayers,” said Collins. “We work very hard to be fiscally prudent and we appreciate our community’s longstanding history of supporting its schools.”

    The renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy funds critical day-to-day school operations, including educator and nurse salaries, reduction of class sizes, Special Education, safety and security systems, early learning programs, and extracurricular activities, including athletics and music.

    If approved by voters, the Educational Programs & Operations Levy will be a variable rate that averages $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This will generate approximately:

    • $18.15 million in 2023 (estimated $1.92 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $19.80 million in 2024 (estimated $1.94 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $21.55 million in 2025 (estimated $1.96 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $23.60 million in 2026 (estimated $1.98 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

    For a property owner with an assessed value of $500,000, this equals approximately $974.73 annually, or $81.22 a month.

    In 2021, a property owner with an assessed value of $500,000 is paying approximately $830.00 annually. If the EP&O levy is renewed, this would be an average increase of approximately $145.00 annually, or $12.08 per month.

    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 security, safety equipment, and updates to technology programs and systems to ensure our students and employees have the most up-to-date learning supports.

    The replacement 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 $0.24 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This will generate $10 million over four years.

    • $2.5 million in 2023 (estimated $0.26 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $2.5 million in 2024 (estimated $0.24 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $2.5 million in 2025 (estimated $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed property value)
    • $2.5 million in 2026 (estimated $0.21 per $1,000 of assessed property value)

    For a property owner with an assessed value of $500,000, this equals approximately $118 annually, or $9.86 a month.

    In 2021, a property owner with an assessed value of $500,000 is paying approximately $130.00 annually. If the Technology levy is renewed, this would be an average decrease of approximately $10.00 annually, or $0.83 per month.

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

    Learn more on our FAQ page

    Additional Information

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

    Click to watch on YouTube