Vote to approve the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy Proposition 1!

While the state has improved the funding levels for local schools, the voters still must approve approximately 15% of the general budget in Kent. These funds support student supports, academic programs (including arts/music), classroom supports (including additional nurses), and activities (athletic and enrichment). All of which have a direct impact on student learning conditions.

Without these funds, the District would be unable to attract and retain quality education employees in the competitive job market of King County. This replacement levy will maintain the current tax rate of $1.72 per $1000 assessed value over the next three years. This maintenance will allow the continuation of the most vital programs for our students and the community.

As parents of former students of the Kent School District we know that maintaining our local investment in our public schools is a direct support to the current students in our schools and all the families who rely on our schools to be the best they can be for their children. Vote to approve this replacement levy!

Submitted by: Allyson Johnson, Alan Sutliff, Brooke Valentine

Are your kids being supported? The district’s EP/O levy has bloated from $44 million in 2019 to the planned $85.8 million, yet schools continue to be understaffed.  Where is the money going?  A reduction in staff should coincide with a reduction in taxes.

The district is using scare tactics to gain support, talking about potential cuts and negative impacts if it doesn't pass.  But many of these programs are already in peril.  The levy supports school nursing, but the district has already cut positions while leaving state-provided funding on the table.  The levy supports special education, but the district has made cuts across the board and the teachers passed a vote of no confidence against the department.  Meanwhile, there continues to be pay raises and hiring of top-level admin staff.

The community has consistently asked for more transparency, more classroom support, and smaller class sizes.  Instead they've gotten the opposite, but with steady increases in their tax bill.  Send a message to the district that we will not continue to support irresponsible spending.

Vote for change.  Vote No on KSD Prop 1: Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operations Levy.

Submitted by: Shawn Bettinger, Joseph Riley

The students within the Kent School District are being supported by caring KSD staff.  The district’s EP/O levy will continue to provide school nurses, security personnel and more.  The district has maintained nurses over recent years with the help of this levy.

The amount collected by the District is limited by state guidelines and will not exceed that amount even if it is lower than inflationary increases. Vote Yes on KSD Prop 1 Replacement Levy.

Submitted by: Allyson Johnson, Alan Sutliff, Brooke Valentine

Don't be fooled by the "flat tax rate" lie.  While the tax rate might remain the same, increasing home prices will increase your taxes.

As parents of both former and existing students of the Kent School District, we know that proper staffing is most important to directly supporting our students.  If this levy is a replacement, how will it fund additional nurses?  If it will allow continuation of vital programs, why has staffing been reduced?

Submitted by: Shawn Bettinger, Joseph Riley

Download the full text of the resolution

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

For questions about this measure, contact: Dr. Wade Barringer, Deputy Superintendent, (253) 373-7001, Wade.Barringer@kent.k12.wa.us