Vote Yes to modernize aging schools!
The Lake Washington School District will run a Levy on the November 2024 ballot to address aging facilities. If approved, the district will use the funds to rebuild and enlarge the remaining facilities across the district that have not been updated since LWSD began a modernization plan over 25 years ago. Additional details are available from the district.
Vote Yes to support our students, community, and staff!
Improved Learning Environments
Replace 40 portables with permanent classrooms and improve learning environments for 3,000 students. This allows students to focus on learning and staff to focus on teaching.
Safe & Healthy Buildings
Provide high quality and fair experiences. Ensure every school meets current seismic standards, adopts the latest in health and safety guidelines, and can leverage modern education technology.
How you can help!
Tell your friends and neighbors to Vote Yes!
Fiscal Responsibility
Asking only for what we need for our oldest facilities, creating more sustainable and energy efficient buildings, (which are less expensive to maintain) while keeping our tax rates below many neighboring districts.
2024 Levy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When would this take effect?
The levy is for 6 years, from 2026 to 2031, and new buildings would open between 2027 and 2031. Additional details available from the district.
If the levy passes, where will the students go when the new buildings are being constructed?
Students will continue to learn in their current buildings as construction will take place simultaneously elsewhere on the same lot. This allows for no disruption in learning location during construction and an easier transition when the building is open for learning.
Why doesn’t the district remodel the old schools rather than rebuild them?
District analysis found that replacing these buildings is less expensive, saving taxpayers $27 million over retrofitting the oldest buildings. The district has published individual studies for Alcott, Smith, Kamiakin, and Evergreen which outline the analysis.
Can’t the district make do with what they have?
These schools were built before the advent of the internet, before current seismic codes, and before covid made us rethink the importance of ventilation. These are the only four schools (of 56) which the district deems aging, and so the district is specifically focused on addressing just what it needs for these old facilities.
I thought enrollment was falling, why are we building new schools?
LWSD has been less impacted by declining enrollment than Bellevue and Seattle. In fact, all four of these schools are currently over 100% capacity, with Alcott at 131%. The levy would replace 40 portables with permanent classrooms and provide improved learning environments for 3,000 students.
Why does the district have to ask voters for money? I thought the state fully funded education with state dollars?
Schools receive the majority of funding from the state, but LWSD - like all districts in our state - rely on local voter-approved levies to fund everything from day-to-day operations to technology and to capital construction costs, like the 2024 levy. The majority of funding needed to rebuild, remodel, and replace schools comes from local voter-approved school funding ballot measures.
How much will this levy cost me?
This measure is largely offset by expiring bonds and levies. For a $1,000,000 home, this would be $380 a year, or less than $32 a month. Some residents may be eligible for Senior or disabled exemptions and deferrals, learn more from King County.
How do tax rates in LWSD compare to neighboring districts?
With the passage of this levy, LWSD will continue to have tax rates below the King County average. Please visit the LWSD website for more information.