Lake Washington board weighs full vs. graduated EP&O levy as enrollment dips and compensation costs rise

Lake Washington School District leaders reviewed options on Aug. 4 for renewing the four-year education programs and operations (EP&O) levy, with staff saying declining enrollment, rising local compensation costs and uncertainty about federal grants have increased the district's local funding gap.

Associate Superintendent Posthumous summarized the budget drivers underlying the levy choice and the presentation the district has taken to advisory committees and the community. "This is the I think the fourth time that, we've had the the conversation related to levy planning," Dr. Holman said, noting the discussion reflects the complexity and importance of the board's decision. Posthumous told the board the EP&O levy currently pays for programs and staff that the state does not fully fund and provides roughly 16% of the 2025-26 budget.

The district explained why a levy ask now requires forecasting several years ahead. Posthumous said four-year levies require estimating roughly six years into the future because of the election and collection timing, and that creates risk when enrollment and cost…