[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6134089,"mediaKeyId","5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5","parentId",5687626,"title","Lake Washington board weighs full vs. graduated EP&O levy as enrollment dips and compensation costs rise","audioSeconds",3009,"startMs",189000,"endMs",3198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5&start=189&end=3198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5/thumbnail_189000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6134089/Washington/Lake-Washington-board-weighs-full-vs-graduated-EPO-levy-as-enrollment-dips-and-compensation-costs-rise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6134089-357e9c21497cae5b57229be686b44c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770697412&Signature=UvKdEuKJaARhSHSL-7xSt8uQV0onMEfdF8vaY9HyEujNVjQwoaMHu8zCq9uUzljBVrUuTOzw-Q2x1apjrHZlRYcsleNcUMiRUgVcL-XMcjhZ8xhDhYt14Fccs18nw-hHFROWRuDDhQVGdDxBpSBt6qBCp4V5lKfXyPWNYtq-Gkkdzm-z20qRPyeCgOCF8zeCuV~6-wlynMTUeqkU3jTj6gvNl0en~nXyWmtPuzfvSNddc8kDLLU-wF1Hi2X~LAuKe-gb8uv~ytbLS7EcekEDF8TwtF5qzoMEDGNw5PdFMGJJkrjnrL8KDs-UhD-OsUs7DDAXoA5N-uN6rOH8M2w9GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Washington School District","date","2025-08-04T00:00:00Z","article","Lake Washington School District leaders reviewed options on Aug. 4 for renewing the four-year education programs and operations (EP&O) levy, with staff saying declining enrollment, rising local compensation costs and uncertainty about federal grants have increased the district's local funding gap.

Associate Superintendent Posthumous summarized the budget drivers underlying the levy choice and the presentation the district has taken to advisory committees and the community. \"This is the I think the fourth time that, we've had the the conversation related to levy planning,\" Dr. Holman said, noting the discussion reflects the complexity and importance of the board's decision. Posthumous told the board the EP&O levy currently pays for programs and staff that the state does not fully fund and provides roughly 16% of the 2025-26 budget.

The district explained why a levy ask now requires forecasting several years ahead. Posthumous said four-year levies require estimating roughly six years into the future because of the election and collection timing, and that creates risk when enrollment and cost assumptions change. Staff presented two main options: ask voters for full levy authority (a tax-rate estimate beginning near $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value and declining to about $0.93 by year four under current estimates), or pursue a graduated approach that steps up to full authority by the fourth year and keeps an average rate nearer to $0.93 per $1,000.

Staff outlined the drivers widening the local funding shortfall: a projected net four-year enrollment-related reduction of roughly $3.5 million; state-mandated compensation increases including COLA, health insurance and pension costs totaling about $20 million over four years; and fixed-cost increases (utilities, insurance) of about $6 million. Together, staff estimated a roughly $30 million four-year expenditure increase; after $7.5 million of budget realignment and $1 million of recently restored federal funds, the net additional pressure was described as about $19 million over the multi-year period.

Posthumous also described how local salary \"step\" increases affect the district: \"the impact of kind of our step increases for both certain classified is around $3 to 5,000,000 a year,\" she said, adding that over four years that could total in the low- to mid-teens of millions. Board members pressed staff to make those step-cost assumptions clearer in long-range budget projections.

Directors discussed trade-offs between leaving levy authority unused and asking voters for higher authority that might trigger public resistance. Director Liberty said she was \"having a hard time reconciling\" a presented estimated local need of about $129.3 million with current collections, and urged clearer year-by-year maintenance-level figures. Director Stewart said the district should be mindful of taxpayer fatigue and favored a graduated approach, calling it a way to \"stair step\" increases so voters see smaller, gradual changes rather than a larger leap.

Posthumous framed the district's planning approach as a hedge against uncertain future conditions: flat-enrollment assumptions in levy planning preserve capacity if enrollment doesn't drop as projected; if enrollment declines, OSPI's levy-authority calculations (which are lagged and based on earlier enrollment) could force a rollback of collections. \"We're entering a school year that more than likely we're gonna see a decline in student enrollment given our current data,\" she said, noting that if actual enrollment falls below the plan the district would not be able to collect full authority without rollback.

No formal motion or vote was taken; Posthumous said staff will meet with the levy advisory committee the following week and return a formal recommendation to the board in September with possible board action in October. She noted required next steps including a pre-ballot submission to OSPI and a December resolution deadline to appear on a Feb. 10 election ballot.

The board asked staff to provide clearer, year-by-year figures for (1) the district's maintenance-level need, (2) the effect of enrollment declines on levy authority and tax rates, and (3) how step increases and other compensation drivers are represented in long-term assumptions. Staff agreed to refine those scenarios before the formal recommendation.

The study session was a discussion-only item; no levy measure was approved at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 4, 2025 Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Lake Washington School District leaders reviewed options on Aug. 4 for renewing the four-year education programs and operations (EP&O) levy, with staff saying declining enrollment, rising local compensation costs and uncertainty about federal grants are widening the district's local funding gap.","taxTitle","Lake Washington School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14627,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6134084,"District warns frozen federal grants, possible block-granting could shrink $13.5M in annual federal support",820,1244000,2064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5&start=1244&end=2064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5/thumbnail_1244000.jpg","/articles/6134084/Washington/District-warns-frozen-federal-grants-possible-block-granting-could-shrink-135M-in-annual-federal-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6134084-422a3f49d70dff4e7da5dd5ef96f2836/orig.mp4?Expires=1770697412&Signature=F4NL8xd3NMPXpmHf7l9ThQAnPWuttq0Rbyuf0a0nz8CKwJc806HhV39fGDp9TCyet8Z9Qzz3xjnxEZh4E-FtRKkaUmXnCGiTNNFtmwpG0IleLZ-tHrhw2V28j2feGRYEIwBGV2A-vpZnVmorCt2R-~x9OmMVIvMgN8xIb7jt65GuVXgeGgdV-HLTf1zp5s6CyEbGzov2C9DaVw4AUaN63eu~lR41HmhdEaH~Kbr3dXe2DzktH1pdHdgh7gszE5LnLjDbaQ0eNBKT6FDkDj~M859THRMDc5VPfC3Q8CB0ocbpaRDOs41C0Xb4q0GJbU9pcgJ-1jr99JcvEFabi-bN6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Washington School District reported Aug. 4 that federal funding uncertainty created new shortfalls the district must consider in levy planning, with staff saying certain grants were frozen this summer and the 2026 federal spending bill still excludes some previously expected allocations.

\"OSPI let us know over the summer that they, that, the administration had frozen some of our federal dollars that we were expecting this fall and to, that we school districts should count on not receiving those dollars. For us, that was about a million dollars,\" Associate Superintendent Posthumous told the board. She said the state later restored allocations for the 2025-26 year, but the 2026 federal spending bill continues to show those funds removed.

Posthumous provided a district inventory of federal programs that together total about $13.5 million annually. The largest single federal allocation identified in the presentation was special education (roughly $7.6 million). Nutrition services and Title I were also listed as significant revenue sources; Posthumous said Title I provides roughly $1 million and nutrition reimbursements are another notable federal stream.

Staff warned that proposals to abolish the Department of Education or shift federal dollars into state-controlled block grants could reduce district funding further. \"When they do that, they typically give it in block grants and then say, state, you decide how to, divvy it up, but they also then tend to reduce the funding when they give it in block grants,\" Posthumous said, explaining that a block-grant approach could result in a state distribution that leaves this district with a smaller share.

Board members asked for clarification on OSPI guidance and timing. Posthumous said OSPI's superintendent provides weekly communications about federal matters and that the state has asked districts to plan specifically for the two grants identified as at risk. She said the district was told to expect cuts affecting the 2026-27 budget cycle.

Directors discussed how a shift to block grants might change allocations because Lake Washington has a large absolute number of students in low-income households (Posthumous said that number exceeds 4,000) but a relatively low poverty percentage compared with other districts. Director Stewart urged using the 4,000 figure in messaging to legislators so the district's absolute need is visible.

No action was taken at the study session. Staff factored the federal uncertainty into levy scenarios and said they would update board materials and the formal recommendation to reflect any new federal guidance or allocation changes.

The board asked for continued monitoring and earlier alerts if OSPI and federal decisions would change the district's anticipated revenue for the 2026-27 budget cycle.","The Lake Washington School District told its board Aug. 4 that recent federal funding freezes and potential changes to how the federal government distributes education money could reduce about $13.5 million a year in federal support for programs including special education and nutrition services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6134079,"Board hears recommendation to maintain technology funding; facilities levy would add $27.1M a year for fields, systems and code work",495,4411000,4906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5&start=4411&end=4906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5687626-de686a638118d2c37b32edb8d22b56e5/thumbnail_4411000.jpg","/articles/6134079/Washington/Board-hears-recommendation-to-maintain-technology-funding-facilities-levy-would-add-271M-a-year-for-fields-systems-and-code-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6134079-bcb1aa633ce94ab9679d9afa835844b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770697412&Signature=C7Fgca30HdWBdstiNi3AjFIeVMoAm4bkIv1sfVGvWg0TX5Z5VYlXLPIOOPbFpCMR53J7iMHc0fYTV9Olt91O3Y45Niobu5~zHHOX0eGURt1z3oZhOaeOXmTGEQApQaNRlAVzrJdWb1CuwiFxWknbR66VXYhc12MDd4YaHDuofcuOxykBz7AQ5EGbPbA4wTdM4UdQO8qntBAL4crMmB7ATnsRpkt5UAknKffB335qfDPF5~gYeuhoCntiMdV1iGk1i9uTOiap3jTmnwTmzQl6GBv3M-~G6MfuyqqA~~Ev6QJP-GXM96JztQ-xqvwGGZb4xdUvMVp6FneQspTgWF0sZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Aug. 4 study session the Lake Washington School District presented its recommended capital projects and technology levy proposal for the Feb. 2026 ballot, asking the board to consider maintaining current technology funding levels while funding a full scope of facility projects focused on fields, building systems and compliance.

Associate Superintendent Posthumous said the capital projects levy combines two parts'technology and facilities'and that the district receives minimal state support for facility preservation. She recommended maintaining current technology funding, noting E-rate reimbursements would be available for specific projects and that carryover from the current levy could cover shortfalls. \"The recommendation is really funding their maintenance level request,\" she said.

On the facilities side staff proposed funding the full scope of projects previously prioritized with input from the facility advisory committee and community survey. The recommended facility funding averages about $27.1 million per year over four years, with program categories that include building-systems improvements (~$8.5M/year), site and athletic/play-field improvements (~$13M/year), school and program improvements (~$3.9M/year) and code-compliance/health-and-safety work (~$1.3M/year.

Posthumous described the tax-rate implications: the facility package translates to roughly $0.06 per $1,000 of assessed value in the illustrative scenario; technology-plus-facilities scenarios presented ranged from a level combined rate of about $0.44 per $1,000 to an initial-year $0.46 declining to $0.42, depending on whether the district front-loads projects or levels the rate across the four years.

Board members asked about specific projects. Director Liberty asked whether the priority list included upgrades at Kamiakin and Evergreen; staff confirmed both high-school field and track upgrades were included as priority projects, along with Redmond and Rose Hill field and track upgrades and a multipurpose field at Redmond Middle. A board member asked whether turf installed for a project might later be removed for construction; staff said construction budgets cover restoration and the levy dollars would not be wasted on turf that would immediately be removed.

On technology, staff listed five categories funded by the capital-technology portion: infrastructure and support, equipment replacement, instructional software and support, business and technology systems, and training/professional development. The technology four-year total shown was about $34.6 million (roughly $138 million across four years for technology plus facilities). Posthumous said the recommended approach keeps technology at maintenance level and leverages E-rate and current levy carryover.

Director Short asked whether technology professional-development dollars are being used for training on artificial-intelligence tools; staff said AI training is evolving and privacy/data-protection requirements limit use of some tools with students; the district is piloting tools for staff and investing in critical-thinking instruction so students learn to use AI as a tool.

No vote was taken. Staff will incorporate the advisory-committee feedback and bring a formal levy recommendation to the board in September.","On Aug. 4 the Lake Washington School District recommended maintaining current technology funding and advancing a facilities package that would average about $27.1 million a year to fund building systems, athletic-field upgrades and code-compliance work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Washington board weighs full vs. graduated EP&O levy as enrollment dips and compensation costs rise

District warns frozen federal grants, possible block-granting could shrink $13.5M in annual federal support

Board hears recommendation to maintain technology funding; facilities levy would add $27.1M a year for fields, systems and code work