Levy Facts: What Happens if Measures Are Not Renewed 

Local levies are a significant part of how Issaquah School District provides the programs and services our students need and our families expect. State and federal funding does not fully cover the cost of operating schools.

The expiring Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy represents 16.6% of the district’s operating budget, which provides more than $70 million per year to support staffing, services, and programs beyond what the state funds. The expiring Capital Levy helps pay for timely updates to our existing schools such as roof and HVAC repairs, as well as technology. The expired Transportation (School Bus) Levy helps keep students safe on their way to and from school, and reduces maintenance costs for our fleet.

If approved, the levy measures would maintain the current total combined tax rate for the Issaquah School District. If expiring levy measures are not renewed, district leaders would need to make funding decisions affecting:

Student Well-Being Supports

Clubs, sports and activities, mental health counseling services, safety and security, school nurses and nursing support, behavior supports/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Family Partnership/Equity, VOICE Mentors and more. The district is also underfunded in Special Education by about $9.5 million per year, a gap that is covered by local levy dollars.

Photo Credit: StopActionPhotography. About 5,250 student-athletes played a levy-funded sport in the 2024-25 school year.

Academic Opportunities

Expanded instructional time and supports including the 7-period high school day, innovative academic offerings, specialized pathways such as Dual Language and Gibson Ek High School and more.

Above, Issaquah Valley Elementary students, families and staff celebrated fifth grade promotion for the school's first Dual Language class to move up to middle school. Dual Language receives funding from local levy dollars.

Organizational Effectiveness

Additional teachers and compensation to maintain smaller class sizes than state funding allows, substitutes, custodial and maintenance staff and transportation.

Above, Discovery Elementary kindergarten students listen to their teacher on the first day of school. Issaquah School District uses levy dollars to hire more teachers than the state funds in its prototypical model; this helps our district maintain smaller class sizes.

Technology and Critical Repairs

1:1 devices for students and staff, ongoing investments to strengthen cybersecurity; repairs and replacements to keep students and staff warm, safe and dry in our facilities including roofing, HVAC, safety and security, plumbing and more. The levy does not include any funding for building new schools.

Above: Students in a Briarwood Science Tech Class share the culmination of a weeks-long project coding robots.

Transportation

Replacement of aging diesel buses to provide safe and reliable transportation; expansion of electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Learn More

• Watch our February 2026 Renewal Levies video.
• Learn more about bonds and levies in Washington state in this video explainer.

Additional Levy facts resources

• 2026 Levy Renewals Fact Sheet (available in five languages at the link below)
• District Levies 2026 website
• Common questions about the levy proposals
• Tax information
• Property tax exemptions for seniors and individuals with disabilities
• Project list for critical repairs (Capital Levy)

Election Reminders

• February 10 is Special Election Day. Election officials are warning that mail delays could prevent ballots from being postmarked in time for the February election. If you plan to vote by mail, do not use a mailbox within 7–10 days of Election Day. Instead, use one of 85 secure ballot drop boxes across King County to make sure your vote is counted: King County Elections map of ballot drop boxes
• Not registered yet? You can register online or by mail through February 2, or in person through February 10 at a King County Elections center.
• In order to pass, levy measures require a “simple majority,” or 50% approval plus one vote.