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Tumwater council holds hearing and endorses $49 million school levy replacement
Summary
During a public hearing on a six-year, $49 million replacement levy for Tumwater School District, district leaders and community supporters described infrastructure, safety and technology needs; the council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the levy.
Tumwater — The City Council opened a public hearing Feb. 3 on Tumwater School District Proposition No. 1, a six-year replacement levy totaling $49,000,000 for safety, technology and capital improvements, and later voted to adopt a resolution expressing the city’s support.
Kevin Bogatin, Tumwater School District superintendent, said the levy is a replacement measure to address aging facilities across all 13 schools, finance technology refreshes and fund upgrades such as covered, ADA-accessible play areas at elementary schools and gyms or multipurpose rooms at three schools. “This is a replacement levy, 6 years, $49,000,000,” Bogatin said, summarizing the program scope.
School-board members and community advocates urged support. School-board member Dr. Melissa Beard said investing in schools brings common ground and long-term benefits: “When we invest in our schools, we invest in Tumwater’s future.” Joel Hansen, speaking as a port commissioner and former planning commissioner, tied workforce development to quality schools and urged the council’s endorsement.
Lila Sloth, a Tumwater Middle School student, spoke on a separate topic that evening (student concerns about local enforcement and civil-rights protections) but city staff allowed student testimony during the hearing. Multiple other proponents described concrete facility improvements and the broader economic benefits of strong schools.
Council member Megan Sullivan moved that the council support the resolution in favor of the replacement levy; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote. Mayor Dalhoff closed the hearing and council formalized support as requested by the district.
What happens next: The levy appears on the district ballot; council endorsement is advisory to voters and does not change levy language or legal requirements. Campaign advocates and district staff urged voters to return ballots before the stated deadline.
