Approval of this replacement levy provides continued student technology access – supporting student devices, teacher devices and professional development, and infrastructure and software maintenance and upgrades.  This levy allows a periodic refresh of laptops and other classroom devices, and supports continual network and data security updates necessary in today’s technology world.

The State’s financial support of K-12 technology (less than $150 a student) continues to be inadequate to meet the needs of our students and District.  This levy supports classrooms being interactive learning spaces where educators and students can engage and collaborate for today and tomorrow, helping prepare students to succeed in an increasingly digitized economy.  Without your support, FWPS will be unable to meet these important needs.

Federal Way Public Schools was fortunate to receive additional laptops during the pandemic to provide remote access for students, families and staff.  This one-time infusion of laptops does allow the District to offer our voters a six-year renewal levy without a significant increase in the levy amount.

Vote Yes!  By supporting this replacement technology levy you are continuing an investment in our classrooms that our students and educators can depend on for the next six years!

Submitted by: Gregory Baruso, citizensforfwschools.org

In 2018, the McCleary Decision was promised to be a levy swap. Instead, state school property taxes increased dramatically and local school taxes never went away and are again spiraling out of control.

For 2020-2021, for Federal Way SD district administrators, the median total compensation was $182,000 with a high of over $500,000 while 65% of students are from low income families. As of 2019-2020, total spending per pupil (including capital outlays and interest on debt) is over $17,500. That's more than tuition at most private schools.

The argument that this levy is for a certain few duty types is disingenuous and heartless at best. The FWSD complains that this levy fills the gap left from state legislators. The legislators are correct in saying no to the FWSD. Local voters should do the same.

Nearly all districts, FWSD included, try to just focus on how our property tax rates will remain nearly flat as if that has or will do us any favors. A flat tax rate multiplied by skyrocketing assessed property values equals skyrocketing taxes in dollars (paid for by property owners and renters in their rents). Please provide your input and vote. More details at, www.schooldataproject.com

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, info@schooldataproject.com

Technology skills are essential for today’s workforce. Now more than ever, students must have equitable access to technology in school to succeed after graduation. The Tech levy is not new to voters in Federal Way. It’s been supported since 2004, and this support laid the foundation required to pivot to remote learning when schools across the state closed suddenly in March 2020. Voter approval continues FWPS’s ability to effectively teach 21st century skills.  Vote Yes!

Submitted by: Gregory Baruso, citizensforfwschools.org

In 2019-2020, per pupil expenditures (including capital outlays and interest on debt) for the district were already at $17,905. That's above tuition and books at many universities let alone most private K-12 schools.

In 2018, because of the McCleary Decision, state legislators pumped billions more dollars into our public schools, largely from increased property taxes. There is no amount of money monopoly school districts will be satisfied with. Citizens are crying uncle. Enough!

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, info@schooldataproject.com

Download the full text of the resolution

Simple majority (Wash. Const. art. VII, sec. 2(a))

For questions about this measure, contact: Ashley Murphy, CFO, (253) 397-0931, ashmurphy@fwps.org