Voting Yes on Proposition 1 keeps our schools running and renews our community’s commitment to quality education. Proposition 1 replaces the expiring operating levy and funds essential services the state does not fully cover like nurses in every school, mental-health support, and the staffing needed to keep class sizes smaller, so every student gets the individual attention they deserve.

This levy also funds the programs that support learning and keep students engaged, including arts and music, clubs and activities, and advanced coursework. It ensures students with different needs, such as special education and English learners, have the services they need to succeed.

State funding is not keeping pace with actual operating costs. Renewing this levy fills those gaps so Northshore students learn in safe, well-staffed, fully functioning schools. This is not a new tax. Without this levy, students would lose key supports and programs they rely on every day.

Northshore consistently outperforms the state graduation rate, a reflection of the value our community places on strong schools and student success. Renewing Proposition 1 sustains that tradition of excellence. Protect educational quality and ensure students receive the services they depend on. Vote Yes on Proposition 1.

Statement submitted by: Holly Muenchow, https://citizensfornorthshoreschools.org/

This proposed Levy is not a renewal. It’s a 55% increase over the previous four-year levy—more than double the cumulative inflation rate since 2020. Meanwhile, student enrollment has decreased by about 3.8?%, from 23,982 to 23,064 students. Presenting this as “almost the same” or routine is misleading.

The district is incorrectly calling this an EP&O Levy when it is primarily an Enrichment Levy—for student programs, not staff salary enrichment. The McCleary Decision requires equitable and sufficient funding for all Washington school districts through state funding. Public charter schools operate within these budgets and cannot, by law, ask voters for extra levies. Northshore should follow the same rules and manage resources responsibly.

Northshore’s Total Per Pupil Expenditure is already over $24,000, higher than tuition at many private schools. This levy also duplicates funding for programs and staff already supported by the Technology Levy and proposed bond projects, including IT services and staff positions. Asking voters to approve a 55?% increase without measurable outcomes is not justified.

This levy grows twice as fast as inflation, overlaps prior promises, and lacks accountability. Vote No to reject unnecessary spending, demand transparency, and ensure taxpayers pay for meaningful results, not repeated commitments.

Statement submitted by: Dominique France, JoAnn Tolentino, Lynda Schram, https://SchoolDataProject.com/districts.html

The committee against school funding’s claims are misleading. Proposition 1 is not a new tax. Every four years, Northshore votes to renew and update expiring levies. If we don’t continue our levy, there will be new cuts to nurses, mental health supports, teachers, and critical programs the state doesn’t fully fund.

Voters face a clear choice: renew essential school funding or deny our kids an adequate education. Protect our future. Vote Yes on Proposition 1.

Statement submitted by: Holly Muenchow, https://citizensfornorthshoreschools.org/

‘Renewals’ don’t raise collections 55%. Declining enrollment and per-pupil spend exceeding $24,000 requires budget controls, not runaway spending without accountability. Public charter schools operate within state funding without levies, and many private schools educate students for the same or less. Why the massive increase and why misrepresent as a ‘renewal’?

Past levy commitments remain unmet and funding can be reallocated after the vote. That’s not transparency. Vote No to unbridled spending.

Statement submitted by: Dominique France, JoAnn Tolentino, Lynda Schram, https://SchoolDataProject.com/districts.html

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: JoLynn Berge, Chief Financial Officer, (425) 408-7721, jberge@nsd.org