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The Edmonds School Board during its Tuesday, Oct. 14 meeting will review a proposed resolution for a replacement educational programs and operations levy that would appear before voters on the Feb. 10, 2026 special election ballot.
The measure would replace the district’s current educational programs and operations levy, approved by voters in 2022, and would continue day-to-day operations that are not funded by the state. According to the draft resolution included in the board agenda, the levy as proposed would be for $361 million, assessed over four years: $83 million in 2026, $88 million in 2027, $93 million in 2028 and $97 million in 2029.
In other business, the board is scheduled to vote on authorizing the use of the General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) method to oversee the replacement of Westgate Elementary School, and will also consider updates to its Board Norms & Protocols document — including a new section outlining expectations for board comments at regular meetings.
The board’s full agenda can be view on the ESD website.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the district’s Educational Service Center: 20420 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood.
The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district’s website.
Prior to the business meeting, the board will hold a study session at 5 p.m. for legislative advocacy planning. That meeting will not be livestreamed.
How much of a increase is this over the expiring levy? With state county and local tax raises I don’t know how much more we can afford. Maybe we should nix the city levy so we can afford the schools? Gonna be hard for kids to learn when their parents can’t afford a roof over their heads.
I hear you, Jim! I wonder, is the goal for the same families to remain in Edmonds? RFA was a 315% rate increase, Prop 1 a 130% property tax rate increase, and now this?
MEN – Could you tell us if this is a straight “replacement” levy or if it is higher than what was passed in 2022?
I don’t have an immediate answer to that, but will look into it. — Teresa
Yeah I’d love to know more. We just approved $120,000,000 Technology bond & a $594,000,000 building replacement bond.
https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/community/bonds-levies/2024-bond-and-replacement-technologycapital-levy/cost-information
I believe it is this levy:
https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/community/bonds-levies/2022-educational-programs-and-operations-levy
Having trouble finding any info other than totals per year. Just wondering if it’s still going to be $1.50/1,000
Actually, I found this in the school board agenda for the 28th.
The exact levy rate and the actual amounts collected shall be adjusted based upon (1) the actual assessed value of the property within the District at the time of the levy, and (2) the legal limit on the levy rate and levy amount applicable at the time of the levy. At this time, based upon information provided by the Snohomish County Assessor’s Office, the estimated levy rate for the 2027 collection year is $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed value for the 2028 collection year, $1.51 per $1,000 of assessed value for the 2029 collection year, and $1.51 per $1,000 of assessed value for the 2030 collection year.
Ann C – thanks for digging out the old school district web page from the 2022 ballot measure. Aside from the fact that assessed values in the school district will be finalized later, their goal is to have tax collections of $83M in 2026. And the levy rate I am charged will be about the same rate I am charged this year or slightly less ($1.47 per 100,000 value). I am not concerned about school district spending.
Here’s my concern: I sure wish the Mayor of Edmonds would have lead a discussion at Council meetings and a public hearing last summer whether his request for more money to pay for deferred building maintenance would be paid with this new permanent tax levy (Cit of Edmonds Prop 1) or a bond issuance or a tax levy for just 4 years like the school district does. Do you think he didn’t recommend issuing bonds because the City did that bond issuance in 2022 and still has $1.5M from that funding that hasn’t been spent yet? Geez – there’s money laying around all over Edmonds. If the Mayor would have filled the Public Works Director position in a timely manner instead of using a contractor who was mostly focused on the mess at the wastewater treatment plant would more building repairs have been completed by now?
I’m all for supporting our schools — in my house, we both went to public schools and are proud UW grads. Now, as parents of a 7- and 5-year-old, this levy matters deeply to us.
Before this measure moves forward, Edmonds residents deserve clarity and transparency:
Our first priority must be students, followed closely by strong support for the teachers who guide them every day.
That means giving educators the resources they need to truly execute in the classroom — not just adding layers of administration.
A $361 million school levy is a significant ask. Voters should know exactly how those funds will be used, what portion goes to instruction vs. overhead, and how outcomes will be measured.
Many of the same individuals and organizations behind the YES for Edmonds campaign appear to be involved in shaping this new levy effort.
There’s nothing wrong with advocacy — but voters should understand how closely connected these networks have become between city leadership, campaign consultants, and local media.
We need to make sure this levy works for our students and teachers, not as another exercise in political coordination.
Support for education and accountability go hand in hand. Before February, we should have a full, public review of this levy — and make sure the people driving the message aren’t the only ones writing the script.