Vote Yes on this replacement levy which renews our commitment to more than 20,000 Bellevue students and reduces your tax rate.  This levy funds education programs which the state of Washington does not, and represents 22% of the district’s budget.

This levy expands students learning to include art and music in elementary schools, world languages in middle schools, and language immersion programs.   It also provides for 7th period classes and tutorial for all middle and high school students allowing them to be well-prepared for graduation and their future.  Additionally, this levy significantly funds nurses, counselors, and security as well as athletics, special education and gifted programs.

Approving this levy renews our decades-old commitment to our students – and our community – by providing a high-quality, comprehensive public education for every child in the district.

Make a difference, renew your commitment and vote yes.

The State Legislature approved Engrossed House Bill 2242; the intent of this legislation was to establish the legislative foundation for funding education for State students in compliance with Article IX of the State's constitution; and to satisfy subsequent State Supreme Court decisions regarding such funding.  The full impact of this legislation (and possible additional actions by the Legislature and Court) has not yet been determined by the Bellevue School District, King County, or other applicable regulatory agencies.  Consequently, the amount of funding to be provided by the State for District educational programs is not yet known.  Thus, it is premature to consider the imposition of new tax levies until a final determination of such funding is made.  Voters are  therefore urged to reject this proposition.

Further, the Bellevue School District and Board have not considered any alternatives to increased taxation which is directed toward educational enhancements, not basic education; neither body has provided Bellevue citizens with detailed information on why changes to the K-12 curriculum, services, and other economies could not be considered to reduce the need for possible additional funding that could eliminate the need for new taxes.  Voters are therefore urged to reject this proposition.

For decades, Bellevue has provided a more comprehensive public education than the state funds.   Months of analysis by the district and school board has concluded House Bill 2242 creates a 22% budget shortfall, hence the need for this replacement levy.  Without it, existing programs will be cut.  This levy allows our students to continue receiving a high-quality education and will replace the expiring levy.  Vote Yes for 20,000+ Bellevue students!

Submitted by: HyAnne Neff, Chris Marks info@bellevuequalityschools.org

Proposition 1 should be rejected because District taxpayers have not  been provided one or more zero tax alternatives.   New and extension of existing taxes should be rejected until the State Legislature and State Supreme Court come to an agreement on what educational services the State will fund; when this is known, District taxpayers will be able to decide what, if any, additional services they desire to tax themselves for.

Submitted by: David Plummer pdf3@comcast.net

 Complete text of measure

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

For questions about this measure, contact: Melissa deVita, Deputy Superintendent 425-456-4025 devitam@bsd405.org