Renewing the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy provides essential local funding for programs and services that support student learning and well-being and are not fully funded by the State of Washington. This is a replacement levy, not a new tax.

Levy funding helps maintain high-quality instruction, manageable class sizes, and a broad range of learning opportunities, including arts, music, world language, advanced courses, career and technical education, athletics, and extracurricular activities that help students thrive.

The levy also supports student health, safety, and social-emotional well-being by funding counselors, nurses, behavioral health services, and safety staff. These positions are critical to creating safe and supportive learning environments.

Local levy dollars make up nearly one-fifth of the District’s operating budget. Without renewal, valued programs and services our community depends on would be at risk. The Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors unanimously supports this levy as part of its focus on educational excellence, opportunity, and student access. A Yes vote renews our shared commitment to preparing every Snoqualmie Valley student to succeed and choose their own future.

Statement submitted by: Amanda Frame, Elizabeth Beckmann, Kyle Granderson, (425) 466-3733

The OSPI SVSD report card indicates only 52% of students are on-track for college-level learning for math and 45% for science.  These are failing grades – Fs!  More taxpayer funded levies will not improve student outcomes, or they would have improved already.  Therefore, your vote on these levies should be no.

Though referred to as “renewal levies”, this proposal includes large increases. The 2027 proposed EP&O levy is 33% higher than in 2023.  Meanwhile, district enrollment has decreased since 2022.  In addition, state funding has increased dramatically since the previous levies. HB1664 increased staffing allocations for personnel such as nurses and counselors and SB5263 increased funding for special education. SVSD’s federal and state funding has increased from $95M (2022) to $115M (2025).

In the last four years, the district’s revenue per student has increased from $15,900 to $19,400 – a 22% increase. Have student outcomes improved accordingly? Not per the OSPI report card.

Two new proposed items in the EP&O budget are costs for elementary deans and sales tax – these items will consume over $1 million annually and should be in the general budget. Voting no on the levies isn’t anti-education.  It’s pro-accountability and a vote for wiser use of public funds.

Statement submitted by: Kelly Dillingham, Robyn Balcom, James Keeffe, SVSDforstudents@outlook.com

State test results are an incomplete indicator as students choose alternative pathways or opt out. SVSD measures readiness through outcomes: a 96% on-time graduation rate, with 80% enrolling in college or career programs, far exceeding the state average. Levy increases are driven primarily by inflation and unfunded state requirements. Inflation since 2023 exceeds 20%, while state funding has not kept pace. SVSD has already cut $4 million to absorb some impacts. Vote Yes.  

Statement submitted by: Amanda Frame, Elizabeth Beckmann, Kyle Granderson, (425) 466-3733

Voters deserve more transparency on how levy money is spent. Why are taxes, utilities, and insurance paid from levies? This begs the question – why aren’t these paid from the district’s general budget - $115,000,000 of federal/state funding? These items do not contribute to student learning or well-being, which is the district’s stated reason for requesting “extra” funds from taxpayers. 

Responsible residents pay taxes, utilities/insurance before purchasing discretionary items, as should the school district. Vote no!

Statement submitted by: Kelly Dillingham, Robyn Balcom, James Keeffe, SVSDforstudents@outlook.com

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: Dan Schlotfeldt, Superintendent, (425) 831-8000, svsdinfo@svsd410.org