WE ARE LAKEWOOD: 2024 Education Levies
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Vote by April 23
The two measures on the April 23 ballot would fund student educational programs, athletics and activities, technology, safety and security, and capital facilities improvements in Lakewood School District. Both levies are four-year levies, with collections in 2025-2028.
“These levies are not only an investment in our schools, they are an investment in Lakewood’s future,” said Dr. Erin Murphy, Superintendent. “They provide students with the resources and programs they need to thrive and become future community leaders.”Join us for an information session
- March 21 at 5:30 p.m. (Paddle Pub Meet and Greet)
- March 25 at 5 p.m. (Virtual on Facebook Live)
- April 8 at 6 p.m. (Cougar Creek Elementary)
- April 11 at 5:30 p.m. (Lakewood Middle School)
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Replacement Levy for Educational Programs and Operations
No tax-rate increase
- Replaces current EP&O levy that is expiring.
- No tax-rate increase
- Represents about 14% of the district’s operating budget.
This levy ensures that our students have continued access to staff who will support their academic, physical and mental health needs. Examples of these costs include:
- Teaching + Support
- Special Education
- Athletics + Activities
- Technology + Operations
- Professional Development
Learn More: Replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy
Capital Improvements and Safety Levy
The Capital Improvements and Safety Levy is a new levy. It focuses on the maintenance and preservation of district facilities and safety/security improvements across the district and seeks to address the short-term needs identified by the Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee.
MAINTENANCE & PRESERVATION
- Replace failing roof and aging boiler
- Improvements to HVAC/heating systems
- Replace aging electrical panels and flooring
- Upgrade lighting for cost efficiency and legal compliance
SAFETY & SECURITY
- Install access control system with lockdown functionality on exterior doors
- Improve site safety/security with fencing
- Update fire alarm systems
- Communication infrastructure improvements
- Improve student drop-off/pickup traffic flow
- Repair walkways and improve ADA handicap access
Learn More: Capital Improvements and Safety Levy
Remember to vote by April 23, 2024. Need to register or update your voter information? Visit votewa.gov. Ballots must be postmarked by April 23 (no stamp needed) or received in a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. on April 23.
April 4 Local ballots mailed April 15 Last day for voters to register or update voter information online April 23Election DayLast day for voters to register or update voter information in person
Last day for voters to return voted ballotMay 3 County canvassing board certifies the county election results
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Register to Vote
Remember to vote by April 23, 2024.
Need to register or update your voter information? Visit votewa.gov. Ballots must be postmarked by April 23 (no stamp needed) or received in a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. on April 23. Residents can register to vote online up to one week before Election Day or in person up to and on Election Day. For more information, visit the Snohomish County website.
Property Tax Exemptions and Income Threshold Changes
Some senior (age 61+) and disabled homeowners may be eligible for reduced property tax rates or exemptions. Income thresholds for these programs changed in 2024 and vary from $54,000 to $75,000. To learn more, call the Snohomish County Assessor's Office at (425) 388-3433 or visit their website.
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Levy Presentation Request
Is your group interested in learning more about Lakewood School District's April 23, 2024 levies? Let us know!
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Local Funding for Local Priorities
The money Lakewood collects from local, voter-approved education levies stays in our district. We use these funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect, and to ensure our students have safe, welcoming schools that support student success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are local EP&O levies needed? Doesn’t the state fully fund schools?
The state does not fully fund education. About 14% of the district budget comes from our local EP&O levy. Local funding is for local priorities. In Lakewood, our community has told us that they value smaller class sizes, academic support to meet the needs of all students, nurses, social/emotional and mental health support, safety and security, athletics and activities. These are all local priorities that are paid for by the levy.
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Does the EP&O levy pay for staff positions above what the state funds?
Yes. Much of what the EP&O levy funds is people — additional adults helping to provide a quality education and give children the support they need in both academic and social-emotional learning. Lakewood's local levy provides nearly 14% of its annual operating budget, including additional positions above what the state funds.
The chart below shows examples of positions that the levy funds, based on the prototypical school model. It does not include all levy-funded positions.
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What is a replacement levy?
A replacement levy is a local tax that replaces a levy that has expired. The current Educational Programs and Operations levy — nearly 14% of the district's budget — will expire at the end of 2024. The Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy would be collected for four years, 2025-2028. Approval of this replacement levy will not change the current tax rate.
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If property values go up, do local schools get more funding?
No. Property taxes may fluctuate, but the district only collects the total amount approved by voters.
Property values may rise or fall, but according to state law, schools collect no more than the total dollar amount voters approve. When property values rise, rates go down. Conversely, if property values fall, rates rise to ensure property taxpayers only contribute the amount approved by voters.
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Does the School District receive sales tax revenue from stores?
No. Lakewood schools do not receive any sales tax revenue. Lakewood's typical school funding comes from the state (79%), local voter-approved levies (14%), federal (5%) and other sources (2%).
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How were projects for the Capital Improvements and Safety Levy determined?
In 2023, a district Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee, comprised of parents, staff, and community volunteers, visited schools in the district to develop short- and long-term recommendations for capital improvements. As part of the committee’s Study and Survey, a team of architects and engineers toured the district’s schools in spring 2023 and compiled their findings in the state schools building condition database. For its short-term recommendations, the committee focused on (1) maintenance and preservation, and (2) safety and security projects across the district.
Examples of projects recommended by the committee that would be funded by this levy include:- Health and safety improvements such as access control systems with lockdown functionality at all schools, updated fire alarm systems, improved site security with fencing, communication infrastructure improvements, improved student drop-off/pickup traffic flow, and improved ADA handicap access.
- Replace aging building systems like HVAC/heating systems, hot water systems, electrical, energy-efficient lighting and flooring.
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How will Lakewood's rapid growth be addressed?
Growth was a top priority identified by the Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee in its medium- and long-term priorities. CFAC also recognized that we cannot adequately plan for growth without maintaining our community’s investments in its existing facilities. For that reason, it focused its near-term priorities on maintenance and preservation, and safety and security. These near-term priorities are included in the 2024 Capital Improvements and Safety Levy.
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Did Lakewood receive federal funds to cover pandemic expenses?
Lakewood received one-time federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds from 2020-2023 to provide schools with resources to meet the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a summary of how these funds were used.
Program and Building Improvements/Classroom Modifications
- Additional middle school music classroom to create additional classroom space
- Enhanced HVAC systems at all schools
- Preschool Playground
Counseling and Health Services
- Full-time counselor at each elementary school beginning 2022-23 school year
- Health room assistants
- Care Solace mental health referrals
Academic Recovery Learning Supports and Summer School
- Lakewood Summer Academy experiential learning classes available to all students
- High-Impact Math Tutoring after school for grades 3-10 in 2023
- Revolution Now Homework Help available to all students 24/7 in spring 2023
- Additional instructional time for Special Education students in 2021-22
- Teaching and Learning Instructional Support
- Behavior Support Specialist