EVERETT, FEB. 9: Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 10, is the last day for voters to return their ballot for the special election.
Two measures from Everett Public Schools (EPS) District will be up to vote, the first being a School Construction Bond and the other an Education Levy renewal.
If both propositions were to pass, homeowners’ tax rates would be $3.98 per $1,000 Assessed Value (AV), an increase of $0.30, EPS representatives said during a city council meeting last month.
The School Construction Bond will allow EPS to address renovations, safety improvements, new construction and maintenance over the next eight years. The bond funds, totaling $396.8 million, can only be used for capital projects.
EPS plans to use the funds to construct a new elementary school, add 12 additional classrooms to existing schools and reduce the need for portable classrooms.
There are currently 27 schools within EPS, with more than 20 thousand students enrolled, representatives said.
The new elementary school would be built in the southeast portion of the school district to alleviate overcrowding, EPS representatives said. The bond will also replace Lowell Elementary, which was built in 1950.
Additionally, the bond will be used improve and integrate safety and security systems and update and build facilities at two high schools.
A 60% approval is needed for the construction bond to pass.
The Education Levy would provide funding for staffing, programs and daily operations. The levy on the ballot is a renewal of an already existing education levy.
Funds will be put towards academic programs like STEM, Highly Capable, and Advanced Placement. Additionally, it will be used to support teachers, custodians, and health room staff – positions not fully funded by state resources.
Roughly 76% of EPS funding comes from the state. The levy makes up 15%, or $67 million, of the district’s budget, EPS representatives said.
Two previous proposed bonds in 2018 and 2020 failed to pass, the Everett Herald reported.
Voters last approved a 6-year Capital Levy in 2022 totaling $325.5 million to replace aging schools and improve technology and safety. Funds were used to replace Jackson Elementary which will be completed in August, and Madison Elementary.
Initial results will be available after 8 p.m. Election Night. For more information on voting and elections, see the Snohomish County Elections website.
Everett Public Schools seek a bond and levy in special election
