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Superintendent responds to levy defeat, outlines staff and legislative next steps
Summary
Following an unsuccessful levy, district leadership thanked community volunteers, said the district will send staff and family notifications, meet with principals and track state bills on special education, materials/operating costs and transportation.
Yelm School District leadership addressed the recent levy results during the Feb. 13 board meeting, thanking community groups and outlining next steps including internal and family communications and continued monitoring of state legislation that could affect district funding.
A community speaker said he was “very, very sorry to see about the levy results.” The superintendent (unnamed in the public transcript) told the board the district sent a letter to staff and planned to send a letter home to families the following day explaining next steps on budget preparation. The superintendent said principals would be briefed on Tuesday and strategic-planning work would proceed with updated focus after the levy outcome.
The superintendent described three priority funding areas that districts across the state are tracking this legislative session: special education, material supplies and operating costs, and transportation. He said districts commonly use general fund dollars to supplement these areas and that any additional state funding would allow districts to reallocate general fund dollars to other needs. “All 295 districts are focused on 3 areas and, end the bills in those areas. Special education, material supplies, operating costs, and transportation,” the superintendent said.
He reported four bills on special education, two bills on material supplies and operating costs, and several bills addressing levies that range from removing levy lids to proposals for levy equalization. The district is coordinating with lobbyists and plans to issue weekly legislative updates on Fridays as bills narrow. The superintendent also thanked two citizen groups who helped lead the levy effort and praised district staff and volunteers for their campaign work.
Board members and community speakers praised student programs highlighted at the meeting, including the robotics club and inclusive athletics programs such as Pack the Gym and Sighthouses, and the superintendent said the district will continue planning despite the levy result.
