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Newcastle council votes 6–1 to endorse renewal levies for Issaquah and Bellevue school districts
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Summary
The Newcastle City Council adopted a nonbinding resolution supporting renewal levies for the Issaquah and Bellevue School Districts after public comment about meeting notice; councilmembers said the resolution signals support for student services and mental-health resources, not new taxes.
Newcastle — The Newcastle City Council voted 6–1 to adopt Resolution 2026-1081, a nonbinding measure expressing the city’s support for renewal levies in the Issaquah and Bellevue School Districts.
Deputy Mayor Charbonneau moved to adopt the resolution and Council member Burford seconded. Charbonneau told the council the action was not a vote to raise taxes but a statement of support, and urged residents who live in affected districts to vote by Feb. 10. “This is not new taxes. It’s renewing existing levies,” Charbonneau said.
Council members who spoke in favor cited concerns about school funding and student mental health. Council member Jacobs said information from a recent town hall showed high counselor-to-student ratios; “the current status in our schools, especially the high schools, is 1 counselor per 4 to 600 students,” Jacobs said, citing the town-hall material, and contrasted that with a recommended ratio of 1 per 250.
Opposition centered on process and notice. Council member Griffin said many residents did not understand the meeting’s purpose and questioned whether the city should be weighing in on other districts’ levies. “I don’t believe the city business” includes some of the topics brought before the council, Griffin said. Griffin cast the lone dissenting vote.
Deputy Mayor Charbonneau responded to concerns about conflict of interest and noticing, saying the item had been discussed at two prior council meetings and that a staff omission of proposition numbers prompted the special meeting to clarify the record. “I think we’ve been transparent,” Charbonneau said.
Mayor Sherlock and other council members emphasized that levy renewals apply only to residents within each school district’s taxing boundaries. Council member Burford said the council’s statement is intended to show solidarity with schools and families, not to enact taxation. “We support our schools and our children,” Burford said.
After public comment and a short debate, the council took a recorded voice vote. The mayor announced, “Motion carries 6 to 1 with Council member Griffin in opposition.”
The resolution is advisory: it expresses council support but does not change tax law. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
