The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy is Not a new tax.  It Renews the levy the community approved in 2020.  Tukwila School District relies on these funds for programs and operations that are not supported by other revenue sources.

The passage of this levy benefits every student because it supports Athletics, extracurricular activities, Art, World Languages, Music and Special Education programs.  This levy funds  Counselors, Family Advocates and Nurses who provide critical health services for our students.  This levy provides funding for our Custodial Staff who work tirelessly to keep our facilities clean and functioning.  Students need this levy to ensure they receive a well-rounded education, their mental and physical health needs are met, and that our facilities are top notch.

This Renewal levy is Endorsed by: U.S. Rep. Adam Smith,  Sen. Bob Hasegawa, Rep. David Hackney, Rep. Steve Bergquist, Tukwila Education Association, Mayor Allan Ekberg, Mayor-Elect Thomas McLeod, De’Sean Quinn, Kathy Hougarty, Cynthia Delostrinos-Johnson, Kate Kruller, Tosh Sharp, Mohammed Abdi, Jovita McConnell, Armen Papyan, Joe Duffie, Verna Seal, Edna Morris, Katrina Dohn, Paul Coblenz, Sharon Nakata, Pam Carter, Ron Lamb, Abigail Tabason, Mary Fertakis, Jonathan Joseph, Sarah Vallieu, John & Lisa Forsythe, Sheila Coppola, Riley Haggard, Pat Larson.

Submitted by: Pat Larson, Katrina Dohn, Riley Haggard, yestukwilaschools@gmail.com

The district failed to find con committee members. The county had to find someone at the last minute by 12/15/23.

There should be no tax measures on the lowest voter turnout month, February. Taxpayers don’t even have their tax bills for the year yet. For a property with a 2023 AV of $500,000, the owner would be responsible for $940 on average for the next 4 years for this one levy - a 21% increase over the previous Enrichment Levy.

School districts have forgotten about the McCleary Decision. Taxpayers were told local school levies would be eliminated as our State School property taxes were increased. But these local school levies were reintroduced and are again spiraling out of control pitting taxpayers in different parts of the state against each other. If anything, these Enrichment Levies are supposed to go towards student enrichment programs only – not staff salary enrichment. Districts should stop blaming sports and music programs for the district’s lack of budgeting discipline.

Most school districts complain that the “State” is not fully funding education by X%. These districts are just X% over budget. And these districts are supposed to be teaching students about mathematics and maybe budgeting?

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, LevyNo.com

The Tukwila School district posted the Notice of Solicitation for pro/con members on its website and social media.

Since 1992, 80% of Washington school districts selected February for levy elections to comply with state budget deadlines.  Districts collect local levies to meet the unique need of their student population and fill gaps in state funding.  Tukwila has a history of strong support for our neighborhood schools. Let’s continue that! Vote Yes!

Submitted by: Pat Larson, Katrina Dohn, Riley Haggard, yestukwilaschools@gmail.com

The district has the incorrect name for this levy. And having a list of names of “public servants” on the dole all in favor of more excessive taxes isn’t convincing us. Running tax measures in February is disgraceful. Run it in November. Hardworking taxpayers deserve the courtesy of knowing their 2024 property tax bills (conveniently mailed in March) and maybe our Federal Income taxes (April) before asking us for yet more money.

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, LevyNo.com

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: Amy Fleming, CFO, (206) 901-8010, Fleminga@Tukwila.wednet.edu