Peninsula board approves replacement EP&O levy resolution for Feb. 2026 ballot; proposes $1.30 per $1,000 EP&O rate in 2027

The Peninsula School District Board of Directors voted on Oct. 21 to place a replacement EP&O levy on the Feb. 10, 2026 special-election ballot, approving formal authorization in Levy Resolution 25-12.

The resolution, which the district said was pre-coordinated with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to ensure statutory compliance, would request $35,800,000 for calendar year 2027, $37,800,000 for 2028 and $39,800,000 for 2029. The board’s packet estimated the EP&O portion of the proposal would equal about $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2027; combined with the district’s bond and the safety, security & technology (SS&T) levy, the district estimated a total combined tax rate of about $1.99 per $1,000 in 2027.

Why it matters: The proposed levy would fund recurring district needs that the state does not fully cover, including staffing above state‑funded prototypical FTE levels, maintenance and facility upkeep, curriculum replacement and professional development, music and arts expansion, expanded transitional‑to‑kindergarten (TTK) capacity, athletics and extracurricular programs, nutrition‑services equipment, bilingual‑education supports and highly capable self‑contained classrooms.

Board action and process: The board took a single motion to approve Resolution 25‑12. The motion was made by Jennifer (Board Director) and seconded by David (Board Director). The board voted to approve the resolution; the motion carried with the members present voting in favor. The district noted Director West was absent but had previously indicated support.

Staff and timeline details: Finance staff said they pre‑coordinated the spending plan with OSPI to confirm levy uses meet state RCW provisions for enrichment and allowed uses. The district said levy dollars are intended to be used only for allowable enrichment activities and that spending will be audited annually; the district reported no prior findings on levy audits.

The district presented estimates of household impact: for a $500,000 home, the district estimated the combined (EP&O + SS&T + bond) tax bill would be about $995 per year at the proposed 2027 combined rate — an increase of about $95 per year versus the estimated 2026 rate. For a $1 million home the estimated increase would be about $190 per year. District staff noted these estimates combine multiple levies and bond levies and are subject to county certification and assessed valuation changes.

The resolution passed and staff said that, following board action, they will submit required paperwork to the county auditor and proceed with outreach. The district emphasized it will hold community presentations and use school and district channels to explain the spending plan, priorities and the ballot question prior to the Feb. 10 vote.

Ending: The board approved Resolution 25‑12 at the Oct. 21 meeting. If a majority of voters approve the district’s levy in February 2026, the replacement EP&O funding would begin with the 2027 tax year.