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Board begins planning for February levy renewals, highlights budget drivers and outreach needs
Summary
District staff reviewed the expiring educational program & operations (EP&O) and technology levies, telling the board the two levies together fund about 21% of general fund expenditures and outlining cost pressures such as rising teacher compensation and substitute costs tied to state PFML.
Snoqualmie Valley School District staff briefed the board on levy renewals scheduled for February, reviewing what the current levies fund, how those costs changed since the last levy and options for messaging to voters.
Staff framed two separate renewals: the educational program and operations (EP&O) levy, which the presentation said accounts for about 17% of district revenues, and the technology levy (a capital levy that reimburses some general fund recurring costs). Together, staff told the board, the two levies fund roughly 21% of the district’s general fund expenditures.
Why it matters: staff said the levies support programs the state does not fully fund — electives and enrichment, some instructional coaching, competitive compensation and student supports such as nurses, counselors and food service. Losing levy revenue, staff said, would require program reductions or service changes that would be noticeable to students and families.
Budget drivers and figures presented - Levy share: Staff said the EP&O levy is about 17% of district revenues and, with the tech levy, contributes roughly 21% of general fund expenditures. - Estimated levy‑funded expenditures: staff reported a figure near $22.7 million for budget items currently supported by the EP&O levy in the 2025–26 budget cycle. - Compensation and substitutes: staff said levy funding for staff compensation rose from about $3 million in the last levy cycle to roughly $7.4 million in the current budget, reflecting higher average teacher compensation (staff cited an average basic‑ed teacher compensation figure of about $114,000) and benefit costs of roughly 40 percent. Substitute costs have grown, staff said, largely because of the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which expanded paid leave but did not provide corresponding substitute funding.
Programs supported by the levy: Staff listed examples the EP&O levy supports, including the seven‑period high‑school day that enables additional electives and CTE, extracurricular activities and transportation costs not fully funded by the state, elementary math/reading interventionists, instructional coaches, and positions for counseling, nursing and social work.
Options and next steps: Staff proposed a two‑step public process: a board work session to refine options and an outreach plan for community engagement, followed by a formal resolution to King County by the required deadline if the board agrees to place levies on the ballot. Staff also asked whether the board wants to include additional items — for example, a safety director or expanded preschool slots — and said some new, uncertain state sales‑tax provisions could add up to $1 million in costs (staff said they were awaiting Department of Revenue guidance).
Board discussion: Board members asked for homeowner cost examples and suggested transparent messaging about what a levy renewal would maintain versus what would be cut if levies failed. Staff said they would prepare tax‑impact scenarios, a work session and additional financial detail ahead of formal action.
Ending: Staff scheduled a follow‑up work session and asked board members to send questions or items they want costed out before the board’s next meeting.
