[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6749787,"mediaKeyId","5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195","parentId",5654000,"title","Issaquah board adopts 2025–26 budget, cites equity‑based priorities","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",492000,"endMs",654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195&start=492&end=654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195/thumbnail_492000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6749787/Washington/Issaquah-board-adopts-202526-budget-cites-equitybased-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749787-3b4447783483936c443a38582910f49e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940752&Signature=orbUpZFAtMOJfgqdvvkvMWwqLbIewYCpVc2f-2y7jxaCrvzIATJbt-nixBbwAsik~QsBdOLQGv0I1WRwk5a4XpEYJjjbzcH3N-~o1yQQRgg7ljhG-uwJ94j-Fj1ePVS7CGDMyI341hrrzUnsfHT91EQz~gb7W438DzeE6FC~DATq0SBPJL4AKEwFP7X-jx5C-nANT115pszaj3vzWC8IvS9x9OPZh1Phcj8UJFXhI8T5aydk6OiKBk-59~-qqwit8n8f5ZuRBHtlaaghvNoETxOQmD8S9grMZd6u52nt180m5G3zLimdtk069XXtLlS0lS~cYICIa-v-waifjkbOCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah School District, Washington","date","2025-08-22T04:05:08.953Z","article","The Issaquah School District board adopted Resolution 1243 on the 2025–26 budget following a public hearing and staff presentation outlining revenues, expenditures, levy capacity and a four‑year outlook.

Mariah Bannes, executive director of finance, told the board the packet includes the MSOC disclosure and a multi‑year summary of revenues and expenditures. In the presentation staff described the state‑funded portion included in the MSOC disclosure and the district’s total projected expenditures.

Board members said they appreciated the finance team’s work and noted this budget is the first year the board’s direction to use equity‑based budgeting was incorporated into allocations. Director Mullings said the approach should steer supports toward buildings with the highest need. Other directors praised the thoroughness of the budget documentation and urged continued multiyear planning to manage state and federal funding uncertainty.

The board moved and seconded the resolution; the motion passed by voice vote.

What it means: Staff said the adopted budget incorporates the board’s priorities for directing additional supports to high‑need schools and positions the district to begin stronger multiyear planning. Board members flagged ongoing concerns about underfunding for services required by students with higher needs and noted the district will continue to monitor state and federal funding levels.

Next steps: District finance staff will implement the adopted appropriations for the 2025–26 fiscal year and continue committee and community engagement on long‑range planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah School District Board Meeting 8/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Issaquah School District board adopted Resolution 1243 to establish appropriations for the 2025–26 budget after a public hearing and staff presentation on revenues, expenditures, levy capacity and the four‑year outlook.","taxTitle","Issaquah School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14813,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6749773,"Capital projects update: elevator work, EV bus charging near term and new high school amendment under city review",174,2610000,2784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195&start=2610&end=2784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","/articles/6749773/Washington/Capital-projects-update-elevator-work-EV-bus-charging-near-term-and-new-high-school-amendment-under-city-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749773-6f9a5a8bf66fe5500903545ba693744b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940752&Signature=LYK4gZk-sgHN9gct9V4kcaiWMADPkQx4HwzMOwhqAU4Bx-r1qkHcQqayvxJVZKuuVJQwEEfTII-oY0B2G2bMfxY4Zl3YAixJmJaPAopxZwOYCU39HCxPea6Fe-Jf41le9yGtZnJIelMCVHGK9yXIIXFx~UMc8Wn1hcdn0CvgRwfYMQRggw-XvK1fnAtSNCLLEbDTAK3DbdaeYVf4gTDx~6Yx6dimb5IK51Z7VK7GGCZJKmkeQv3LzS52gOO~8tiitMe-R6ydBEBAulkMbyzmXi1cUMi19Oe7mNX-FoH~-K1pg-ktM9MLnIwbLbc6zfLF1bQpC2lc0OQ-7oqNBs8FmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah School District staff gave a status update on capital projects funded by prior levies and grants, shared progress on electric‑bus infrastructure and described the schedule for the proposed new high school major amendment with the city.

Tom Mullins, director of capital projects, reported that most 2018 levy projects are substantially complete and that work on 2022 levy projects continues as scheduled. He said elevator modernization at Beaver Lake Middle School will require shutting the elevator for six to eight weeks during summer work next year and that project timing will stretch into the following construction season.

Mullins reported the district received approval for reimbursable funds from OSPI for IGAs and from the Department of Commerce for an Issaquah High School energy efficiency project; work is wrapping this month. He also said the Department of Ecology EV bus infrastructure grant was awarded, buses have been delivered to the district, and charging infrastructure installation is nearing completion — with a first charge/test planned in mid‑September.

Jason Morris, executive director of operations, said drives and safety inspections remain for the delivered buses and that driver training will be required before routes start. Morris said there are three electric buses in hand and the district expects to assign them across elementary and secondary routes as operations allow.

On the new high school, Mullins said the district submitted the major amendment application to the city on July 1 and the city’s review process is underway. Staff described site improvements, parking and phased building plans; the district is targeting a construction start March 1 with an anticipated opening of Aug. 27. City review rounds have statutory review timelines; staff said they will coordinate to answer city questions as the city prepares a staff report and a schedule for discretionary review.

What it means: The district is advancing capital work funded by prior levies and awarded grants while preparing to test electric vehicle charging infrastructure and coordinate a major amendment land‑use review for a new high school. Staff flagged schedule implications for projects that require shutdowns (for example, an elevator modernization) and noted the need for driver training and operations readiness before electric buses go into service.

Next steps: Staff will continue construction and grant reimbursement closeouts, complete charging infrastructure testing, conduct safety inspections and training for electric buses, and respond to city review comments on the new high school major amendment.","District capital projects staff told the board most 2018 levy projects are nearing completion, EV bus charging infrastructure is nearly installed and the new high school major amendment is in the city review process.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6749777,"District launches levy advisory process for potential February 2026 ballot measures",524,2650000,3174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195&start=2650&end=3174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195/thumbnail_2650000.jpg","/articles/6749777/Washington/District-launches-levy-advisory-process-for-potential-February-2026-ballot-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749777-d4227c3e45fc8848d9a05934ffbe70cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940752&Signature=dwZZS74pvS2MX-Lt7JfjtC36vM07CgXKmLYfjYpNW8B21ylkNsvNzlXDtspDNe~FflRAahCXq1SK0K6bRlgGcpWiivI03A~fny6obLY-EycvYkTHc~rfpA~SYIWQs0kyjIqU3-ZBje2szLYqInPXpZhsCzVtUXI9gIzW2Ns~LymPZAzSjqMQWLmCy-LsGjGuHvgVRbwV-WCiPfRsIyfzCy3pv1TO17Cgp16uVfu30b8tMbO-LJgmqKUnpG6V-CJkZB3MknuSVB8hX9D9L4ykS-F3oyzmNc3qCMy0yTbLMEqUPXWHWNkHZWiVf02uuavc7o9fT-GuRvAaQPX20Hy1TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff presented a levy kickoff and an advisory process for a potential February 10, 2026 local levy measure to renew funding for Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O), capital/technology/critical repairs and a possible one‑year transportation levy.

Presenters said the EP&O levy typically provides roughly 16–17% of general fund revenue and is generally proposed as a four‑year renewal. The capital levy would target technology refresh, critical repairs and facility safety projects such as vestibules, roof repairs, HVAC and fire systems; the transportation levy (typically one year) would fund replacement buses and charging infrastructure and could support additional electric buses if the board chooses that direction.

Staff outlined a schedule for community engagement: formation of a levy advisory committee (more than 55 applicants accepted), committee meetings in September and October, superintendent recommendation and a targeted board resolution in October, public outreach in November–January, and ballots mailed in January prior to the Feb. 10 election.

Board members discussed communicating detailed project descriptions beyond single‑page summaries so voters can understand goals, tradeoffs and priorities. Several directors said they expect the committee to produce recommendations that will guide a final levy package and emphasized minimizing any increase to the district tax rate where possible.

Next steps: Staff will convene the levy advisory committee, gather input from the community on project lists (including critical repairs and technology needs), and return to the board with a recommended levy resolution by late October for potential placement on the February 2026 ballot.","Issaquah School District staff briefed the board on plans to form a levy advisory committee and a timeline for a possible set of renewal levies for the February 10, 2026 ballot.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6749782,"Board ratifies teacher contract, approves waiver request and adds student minutes to protect instructional time",715,905000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195&start=905&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5654000-9507b2bf66f2768ebe2ab0bc3be5c195/thumbnail_905000.jpg","/articles/6749782/Washington/Board-ratifies-teacher-contract-approves-waiver-request-and-adds-student-minutes-to-protect-instructional-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749782-82f68dffbdf2883cbc93e1da9f36e613/orig.mp4?Expires=1770940752&Signature=hm~ZanQDaCsbLM~ByUMlJz88XVktF85muUiC5NbJKpaDZr9m73rzy9P-Irazguv9RkFWSEY0jF4MwdDEahRhuOVg0coTUmXku7JTvCFNd2XMygQoZlhsm6khqHrye7~VCw9QdIVWBLvgfpHsmwhgIiCs3lRUblT4A436Q-LAjXFlItx2zDvq-B-ZHjv0T34RpdRCEhDUjT-oco6vJ1g~RZfXOJN3o-1NWQkNS7ccKk6Fn2OjphSyXmidx3vAA8UYsX5dQj6cEm4D1zreqv81eju-RDjacYsgHclglAtE2OHAUOb~RJFJpkLgYhDojzJzPVmAUFxpghjQnWScJVnBHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah School District board ratified a tentative agreement with the Issaquah Education Association covering Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2028, and moved to operationalize contract provisions that affect the district calendar and student contact minutes.

Staff said bargaining focused on investments to support inclusive practice, bolster the collaboration between special education and general educators, and achieve class‑size containment where possible. District negotiators and union leaders negotiated changes they described as affordable and operationally feasible.

The board then adopted Resolution 1245 authorizing staff to request a three‑year waiver from the state minimum 180‑day school year requirement for the 2025–26 through 2027–28 school years. Staff explained the negotiated calendar change consolidates two district professional‑development days (October and January) into a single January PD day; if approved by OSPI this would convert one district PD day into a student day and count toward the 180‑day requirement. District staff said the change is approved content‑wise for state purposes and would give the district more flexibility for inclement‑weather makeup days.

As a related action, the board authorized increasing student contact (Basic Education Allocation, BEA) minutes by five minutes at every elementary school and by five minutes at five middle schools. District staff said that change yields approximately 11.9 additional hours of student contact time across the school year and raises the district’s BEA minutes above the state threshold that OSPI requires to consider inclement‑weather waiver requests. Board members discussed family impacts and directed staff to minimize disruption when adjusting bell times.

The motions to ratify the collective bargaining agreement, to adopt Resolution 1245 (the waiver request) and to increase student contact minutes were moved, seconded and approved by voice votes.

What it means: The ratified contract and the associated calendar/minutes changes are intended to increase instructional time eligibility for inclement‑weather waivers while preserving union commitments to professional development and supports for inclusion. The district will work with the union on calendar adjustments and with transportation staff to implement any bell‑time changes.

Next steps: Staff will submit the OSPI waiver application, work with IEA on calendar details and present revised bell times and related calendar adjustments to the board for required approvals.","The Issaquah School District board voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the Issaquah Education Association and approved measures to secure instructional minutes and state waiver eligibility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Issaquah board adopts 2025–26 budget, cites equity‑based priorities

Capital projects update: elevator work, EV bus charging near term and new high school amendment under city review

District launches levy advisory process for potential February 2026 ballot measures

Board ratifies teacher contract, approves waiver request and adds student minutes to protect instructional time