Issaquah School District officials on Dec. 8 outlined a three‑proposition levy package the district plans to ask voters to renew in February 2026, saying the funds are meant to shore up programs and avoid further cuts amid state budget uncertainty.

The package includes a four‑year educational programs and operations levy (to fund nurses, counselors, extracurriculars and manageable class sizes), a four‑year capital levy focused on technology and critical repairs (HVAC, roofs, fields and cybersecurity) and a one‑year transportation levy to replace buses and pilot electric vehicles over five years. “These three levies work together,” Chief Financial staff said, noting the levies are intended to maintain, not expand, programs or construct new facilities.

Presenters emphasized the levy package is a community‑driven renewal designed to hold the district’s local tax rate stable. “This is a renewal tax rate — it’s not a bond,” the communications lead told the board. Staff said ballots will be mailed around Jan. 21, the last registration day is Feb. 2, and ballots must be returned by the Feb. 10 election date. The district also affirmed it will post required PDC materials and use one permitted direct‑mail piece to share factual information about the levies.

Directors asked for detail about the transportation allocation after one board member asked how $2,000,000 could cover infrastructure and 17 electric buses. Martin Turney, the chief of finance and operations, replied that the district expects to leverage existing fleet assets, state depreciation payments, and grant funding: “We can combine it with the $2,000,000 to leverage things like electric bus grants … so we're actually gonna leverage what we already have,” he said. The presenters said $2 million is intended as a supplement to enable a phased five‑year replacement rather than to fund all purchases outright.

Board members said outreach materials and a web hub will be posted and updated; communications staff described a campaign timeline and a toolkit to be shared with staff and PTSA groups. Officials warned the public to expect misinformation and urged voters to consult the district’s levy web page for full details.

Next steps: staff will continue community engagement through January and distribute communications toolkits to staff; voters will decide the levy renewal propositions on the Feb. 10 ballot.