School Board Votes to Place 3 Renewal Levy Measures on February 10, 2026 Ballot 

At the October 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick recommended the School Board consider asking voters to renew the district’s three existing local levy measures, which will expire next year.  These levies provide 16.6% of the district’s annual operating funds – about $70 million per year – along with significant technology, critical repairs and transportation dollars. Without this funding, the district would need to make difficult reductions across the district.

Tow-Yick's proposal included the full recommendation of the 2026 Levy Advisory Committee, a group including students, parents, staff and community members from across the school district. “There was a really great diverse group of voices, and everyone engaged in thoughtful ways, provided sound feedback throughout, and not everyone agreed on everything,” she said, noting that the consensus model offered the committee members the opportunity to give constructive feedback on the proposals. “Our students on the committee were amazing. They contributed and were valued by their adult peers. ... I thought the process was a good one. I trust it and I stand by it."

Board members voted unanimously to approve placing the levy renewal measures before voters in February. In Washington state, levy measures require a simple majority for approval (50% plus one vote). The measures are designed to cover the gap between the funding provided by the state and federal government, and the true cost of operating our district. They include:

Renewal Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy

This four-year levy represents about 16.6% of the district’s annual budget. It helps fund necessary student services, opportunities and safety beyond state and federal funding. The Levy Advisory Committee recommends that the district consider expanding student well-being supports and broadening academic opportunities. It would fund or help fund:

• Staff and programs that support student well-being, including counseling, nursing, behavior supports, security, VOICE Mentors, equity programs, athletics, activities and programs that directly impact student safety, health and belonging.
• Academic opportunities such as the 7-period high school day, individual learning supports, dual language programs including Spanish and Mandarin, Gibson Ek and Special Education. These programs help fill state funding gaps and support our students in reaching graduation and being ready for life after high school.
• Day-to-day Operations to support organizational effectiveness: Local levy dollars fund staffing and operations (teachers, substitutes, custodians, maintenance and transportation positions) that help sustain daily operations, manageable class sizes and more.

Renewal Capital Levy (Technology and Critical Repairs)

This four-year levy delivers up-to-date classroom technology, applications, device support, data security and network infrastructure. It also addresses urgent safety needs and prioritizes the highest-impact repairs to buildings and systems.

The Technology funds would:

• Continue the district-managed 1:1 laptop program to ensure every student has the same access to technology
• Expand investments in cybersecurity
• Provide for new initiatives such as a crisis alert safety program; device upgrades and modernization; learning about the responsible use of AI for education; secure data warehouse to improve real-time analysis and strategy

The Critical Repairs dollars would fund:

• Repairs to roofing, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, Safety and Security and Food Service equipment updates
• Sports field updates and the installation of secure entrance vestibules at our three comprehensive high schools
   

Renewal Transportation Levy

This one-year levy advances safe, sustainable and reliable transportation while managing maintenance costs through fleet modernization. The proposal includes expanding the district’s pilot program for electric buses, and adding charging infrastructure. It would:

• Continue to purchase and phase in new diesel buses to replace aging buses, while also expanding the district’s electric bus pilot program. The pilot is starting this fall, with three electric buses purchased using grant funding.
   

Input from committee members was used to shape and refine the levy proposals and included student perspective. A panel of middle and high school students spoke about the classes, supports and experiences that they have found most meaningful. Many of those positions and programs are funded fully or in part by local levy dollars. “Student input on this committee was very good,” Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Turney said. “It was extremely valuable.

District staff and committee members used these parameters to guide their discussion and decision-making, aiming to keep the total combined tax rate for Issaquah School District stable at the estimated 2026 rate of $3.09 per $1,000 assessed property value. The total combined tax rate includes the district’s existing bond debt as well as the levy measures.

Through committee feedback and public perception studies, the district heard clearly that many residents are feeling the impact of rising costs and increasing tax sensitivity. At the same time, the state continues to underfund key aspects of K-12 education, requiring local communities to renew levies to maintain programs and services. In response, the district kept the overall tax rate stable and did not seek the estimated full levy authority allowed by law. For example, the EP&O Levy as proposed is approximately 5.1% below the estimated maximum authority, reducing the rate by about $.05–$.08 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Similarly, while facility repair needs total about $120 million, the district prioritized $55 million in critical repairs over the next four years.

Please stay tuned as we will continue to share facts and information about the levy proposals between now and Election Day on February 10. Throughout the fall and winter, we’ll be sharing information through the district’s communication channels and at in-person and virtual events.

Anyone with questions about the levy proposals may reach out to our Finance and Communications teams at Issaquah2026Levies@issaquah.wednet.edu.