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Board weighs modest levy increase to shore up staffing, MTSS and tech; 10¢ seen as defensible
Summary
District staff outlined options for the EP&O and tech levies, showing a 10¢ levy increase would raise about $1.7M and a 20¢ increase would reach the statutory cap; board members favored a modest increase to fund MTSS, safety and preschool expansions while absorbing new sales-tax costs.
District finance and technology staff briefed the Snoqualmie Valley School District board on Oct. 9 as they outlined strategy for renewing and potentially increasing two local levies: the operations (EP&O) levy and the technology levy.
Tech staff said the prior expiring tech levy supported a heavy device-refresh and infrastructure build and that the next cycle will emphasize sustaining connectivity, classroom audio and safety systems. "Technology does fund nearly $10,000,000 a year on stuff," a district presenter said while reviewing hardware, software, connectivity and staffing components tied to the levy.
On the EP&O side, staff presented regional comparisons showing the district near the King County average for combined levies but below higher-levy districts. Staff explained levy mechanics and scenarios: a 10¢ per $1,000 increase would bring roughly $1.7 million in additional annual revenue (about $100 per year for the average $1M assessed home), while a 20¢ increase would approach the legal per-pupil cap and could add roughly $1.7–$3.4M depending on inflation and assessed values.
Board members discussed priorities for levy proceeds. Proposed uses included sustaining staff compensation and substitute capacity after rising costs, funding secondary MTSS implementation (screeners, interventions and some staffing), preschool expansion (district estimates showed a per-classroom operating shortfall of about $75,000 under current tuition assumptions), safety enhancements (generators, card readers, emergency supplies) and offsetting an expected new sales-tax burden on district vendors (staff estimated $350,000–$500,000 annually).
Several board members said a 10¢ increase is defensible and more likely to be supported by voters because it is framed as renewing needed services and addressing specific gaps; some voiced support for larger increases (15¢–20¢) to cover broader needs but also noted political and equity trade-offs. Staff noted bargaining and other future cost pressures will be additional variables when finalizing any levy resolution.
No levy resolution was adopted at the meeting; board members asked staff to refine costs and will discuss final levy asks at upcoming work sessions in November and December.
