Local levies close funding gaps and provide students with a high-quality school experience that prepares them for successful, fulfilling futures. Your “yes” vote will maintain funding for valuable existing programs, services and staff.

In addition to teacher salaries and staff trainings, the levy funds critical support staff students need including bus drivers, nutrition service, paraeducators, administrative professionals and more. Safety funding maintains secure schools for all. Local levies fund staffing and training that are critical for emotional and mental wellness, such as counselors and substance abuse prevention. Tahoma’s special education services rely on over $6M of levy funding. Clubs, sports and activities receive no state funding and need the levy to continue.

Even with the EP&O Levy, Tahoma receives less funding than nearly all King County school districts. The EP&O Levy accounts for 17% of general fund revenue, 85% of which goes toward paying staff. The EP&O Levy will allow TSD to maintain high-quality education for our students that we all appreciate.

For an extra $25 per month for the average homeowner, Tahoma can continue to provide a school experience that prepares students for a valuable future. Thank you for your continued support of students. Vote yes!

Submitted by: Krissy Riggs, Jerry Gaston, Tami Henkel, voteyestahoma.com

The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy demands a resounding "no" from voters who seek financial accountability and responsible leadership. The district's track record of wasteful spending on frivolous staff positions and neglecting crucial aspects of education amplifies the need for a reevaluation of budgetary priorities.

Promises from the last levy surrounding the nursing department were drastically unfulfilled. Instead of boosting nursing staff, we obtained a mere 11 nurses, paling in comparison to 24 allocated to the counseling department. This stark imbalance underscores a mismanagement of resources.

The situation is exacerbated by the current leadership's controversy, evidenced by the Superintendent's paid leave of absence (due to an ongoing investigation) and the placement of an interim superintendent with proven fiscal ineptness and lack of integrity. In this climate of uncertainty, entrusting the district with additional funds is unwise.

Tahoma stakeholders are grappling with financial challenges. It is unjust to add burden without guarantee of responsible financial stewardship. Before greenlighting another levy, we must demand assurances that taxpayer dollars will be used responsibly and prioritized for essential needs like nursing and quality education for our children. A "no" vote is a demand for transparency, accountability, and a responsible approach to fiscal management.

Submitted by: Tina Dechand, Carolyn Armstrong, Stephen Hutsell, LevyNo.com

TSD receives excellent financial audit reports every year, and they maintain a high bond rating because of their strong fiscal health. Like all districts, TSD faces challenges. While they must address those and be held accountable, punishing students by cutting sports, activities, academic programs and critical staff is not the path to improvement. It is our students who deserve this levy, and they are the ones who will be hurt without it. Please vote yes!

Submitted by: Krissy Riggs, Jerry Gaston, Tami Henkel, voteyestahoma.com

This “EP&O” levy is actually an "Enrichment" Levy, it should exclusively fund student programs, not staff salaries. Higher State School property taxes post-McCleary were intended to eliminate such local levies. Tax measures, including this one, should align with transparency, ideally running in November after citizens receive their 2024 property tax bills. This ensures informed voting and challenges the continued dependence on local levies, urging a reevaluation of funding structures for a more equitable education system.

Submitted by: Tina Dechand, Carolyn Armstrong, Stephen Hutsell, LevyNo.com

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: AJ Garcia, Public Relations Director, (425) 413-3400, ajgarcia@tahomasd.us