Levy Development Committee 2020
2020 Levy Authorized by ISD School Board
The Issaquah School Board of Directors passed a resolution for a replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy to be placed on the February 11, 2020 ballot. Voters will have an opportunity to maintain current funding for programs such as career and technical education, mental health counselors, dual language, expanded high school schedules, and safety. This levy would replace the levy approved by voters in 2018 that expires at the end of 2020.
The District is asking voters for about $6.7 Million less than they are legally authorized to collect. The amount being asked for is $49.85 Million in 2021 and $54 Million in 2022. Superintendent Thiele said at the board meeting that he is confident that this amount of funding would allow the District to maintain its current programs while remaining fiscally responsible and sensitive to the overall tax rate. Because the District is retiring previous bond debt, the overall combined local school tax rate will go down to around $3.25-$3.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
A community Levy Development Committee met throughout June 2019 to form a recommendation for a single levy package for a 2020 ballot measure. The Committee presented its recommendation to Superintendent Ron Thiele, who brought the final recommendation to the Issaquah School Board for approval on September 12, 2019.
The Levy Development Committee considered the proposed content, total cost, and tax impact of a single two-year ballot measure: Educational Programs and Operations Levy (Formerly Maintenance and Operations Levy). Considering the current economic climate, Committee members formed levy packages that include funding essential to:
- Ensure the Issaquah School District has all the resources possible to meet its mission and Ends student learning goals;
- Safely and efficiently maintain facilities and property according to state and District use standards and schedules.
Committee Information
Meetings
Levy Development Committee meetings were open to the public and held on the following Wednesdays in June from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Administration Building. Agendas were posted before each meeting; mini summaries were made available the day after a meeting; and official notes posted as soon as possible following a meeting.
| June 5 | Agenda | Mini Summary | Official Meeting Minutes | |
| June 19 | Agenda | Mini Summary | Unofficial Meeting Minutes | Materials - EP&O Levy and Springboard Proposal Presentation from June 5, 2019 Meeting |
Community Involvement
- E-mail your comments to Levy2020@issaquah.wednet.edu. Your comments will be shared with each committee member at each meeting.
- Review materials in the public binder at Levy Development Committee meetings.
- Review the materials in the public binder at the Administration Building during business hours.