Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
The Edmonds School Board voted in October 2025 to place a $361 million replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy on the Feb. 11 ballot, asking voters to replace the 2022 levy set to expire at the end of this year.
The District is hosting a community information session on the ballot measure starting at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Meadowdale High School Library, 6002 168th St. S.W., Lynnwood
If approved by voters, the District would collect $83 million in 2027 ($1.45/$1,000 assessed property value) rising to $97 million in 2030 ($1.51/$1,000). The funds would pay for necessary educational programs, instructional materials, athletics, transportation and operations support not fully funded by the state, the District said. This measure renews existing funding rather than instituting a new levy, Board Members said at a previous meeting.
The levy represents 15% of the district’s total budget, according to the District website.
Estimated rates and levy amounts to be collected through 2030:
Learn more about the proposed levy here.
— Contact Ashley at ashley@myedmondsnews.com.
What is the Levy Rate for the levy expiring at the end of this year?
You’ll get all the info about the levy rate over years, and more, at this link https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/community/bonds-levies/2026-replacement-educational-programs-operations-levy
The levy rates are interesting but what’s really relevant to taxpayers is the dollar amount of the levies. The rates are suppressed by the increases in property assessments while the levy dollar amount provides a better indication of how a taxpayer’s taxes will change.
It is important to note that school district levies are different than city or county levies. The total amount that can be collected by a school district is capped by what the voters approve and by state regulations. If you look at the totals for the tax payer across all the current district school bonds and levies, you see that the rate is very stable across years, and lower now than it used to be. As more people and businesses move into the district, we each pay less because our share of the overall pie decreases. Also please note that compared to 13 similar districts in our region for 2025, eleven of them have higher total tax rates than the Edmonds School District.
Ms Katims, you have stated: “As more people and businesses move into the district, we each pay less because our share of the overall pie decreases.” To clarify, taxpayers will pay less than hadn’t those new sources happened but they will not necessarily pay a lower amount than they previously paid. The levy amounts are shown above for 2027 and beyond; they should also be shown for prior years.
Thank you Ron for questioning the district and pointing out the distinctions to residents. This is important in the big picture with taxpayers already hit with RFA property tax increase, utility taxes, and whatever near future taxes, property and otherwise this council and city try to add to residents.
Ron, if you look at the link given in my previous email, you will see the figures for previous years.
Nancy, I see charts showing levy rates but nothing, at least that is as easily viewed, showing levy amounts.
Ron,
From the Snohomish County Assessor’s website (https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/129350/2025-Annual-Report?bidId=) I found the following levy dollar amounts over the last few years (note that 2026 is not yet available). It’s categorized as “Enrichment” levy on tax records.
2022: $57.4M
2023: $62.6M
2024: $62.7M
2025: $65.8M
I’ll let you do the math on the percent increases over the years.
Thank you Jim. I’m hoping that ESD will make that info public.
Thank you Jim. This is a significant tax increase especially on top of a 89% RFA increase, the additional
10% increase in utility tax, the myriad of new State taxes, and the fewer but significant tax increases at the County level.
Yep more $$$’ Always need more $$$ but never get better results!!!! Teachers unions are the enemy to the people!