Voting yes renews our commitment to quality education in Northshore SD by directly investing in student services and classroom instruction.  This levy renewal funds essential school programs and staff including nurses, counselors, special education, accelerated learning supports, multi-language learning, and emergency preparedness.

This measure fills critical gaps in state funding.  Students require a safe and healthy school environment to learn effectively. Voting yes ensures that every school has a nurse, as well as providing mental health support. The state doesn’t cover any costs for extracurriculars, putting the burden on local funding to support athletics, clubs, and music that enrich youth development outside of the classroom.

Strong schools build strong communities.  Our thriving school district makes this a place where families want to raise their kids, and is part of what makes our whole community thrive.  Not only did the voters overwhelmingly vote to renew this levy 4 years ago, but we’re proud of the level of community and family support shown for our schools every day.  

Please vote yes for student success – vote yes to renew the educational programs and operations levy!

Submitted by: Cheryl Stanford, Patsy Treece, Jasmine Lee Fry, www.citizensfornorthshoreschools.org  

Did you know in 2018, State courts ruled that the State would fully fund education via the McCleary Decision? That meant taxpayers were promised a levy swap: State school property taxes would increase but local school property taxes would be nearly eliminated. Instead, state school taxes and our local school taxes dramatically increased. Our district is out of control, taxing people out of their homes. In 2018 they asked for $571M across 3 measures & now $770M (a 35% increase).

The underpaid teacher myth needs clarification: Median NSD teacher compensation in 2020-2021 =  $135k (highest @ $200k) for 10 months of work. Extrapolated to 12 months and it’s $163k. Teachers aren’t restricted from securing supplemental income. Many of us are. They are well compensated and the Union is targeting another substantial increase in 2 years. Covered by this levy.

NSD discloses only headline spending. We need total transparency. This levy of $265M will be dumped into the General Fund where 85% goes to compensations for all employees - not just nurses and mental health counselors as advertised. 

NSD blames legislators for not fully funding their bloated budget. The legislators are correct in saying ‘No more’. We should do the same. Say no to excess.

Submitted by: Dominique France, Angela Chapman, www.NSDStudentsFirst.com

The opposition committee’s statements are not accurate.  Their figure is 40% higher than actual average teacher salaries.  This local levy – authorized by the Legislature – fills critical gaps in state funding not covered by the McCleary Decision like nurses, extracurriculars, special education, and accelerated learning supports.  The District’s website (www.nsd.org/our-district/overview/bond-levies) has a transparent list of all funded programs.

This is not a new tax; voting yes renews our commitment to quality education and builds strong communities.

Submitted by: Cheryl Stanford, Patsy Treece, Jasmine Lee Fry, www.citizensfornorthshoreschools.org  

The community needs greater accountability for this funding. The General Fund does not earmark this Levy for the promised allocations. Instead, evolving budgets and salary hikes continue to absorb this growing tax. Our district is not thriving. In large part due to the district deciding what they believe is right for our families. Using taxpayer funding for political games and to support divisiveness, does not make for a stronger community.

Vote no to irresponsible spending.

Submitted by: Dominique France, Angela Chapman, www.NSDStudentsFirst.com

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: Lisa Youngblood Hall, Chief Communications and Experience Officer, (425) 408-7671, lyoungbloodhall@nsd.org