Building Excellence
November 5, 2024 Capital Construction Levy
Excellent schools are part of excellent communities.
Lake Washington School District is committed to ensuring every student has access to safe and modern learning spaces that meet their educational needs.
Four of the district’s oldest schools no longer meet modern health, safety, technology and learning standards. Many of the buildings’ systems and infrastructure are past their usable life and schools are reliant on temporary portable classrooms. This levy would fund Phase 2 of our Building Excellence Plan to meet the district’s commitment.
The state does not provide funding for construction of new schools to accommodate student growth and provides limited funding for rebuilding aging facilities. Local districts are responsible for raising their own money and must use two primary sources for funding construction: bonds and/or capital levies.
FUNDING AREAS
Levy funding would be used to address these areas in our four aging schools:
Health & Safety
When students and staff are in a building that supports their physical needs, they can focus on learning.
- Safety enhancements like secure entryways
- Updated heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems
- Modernized and additional restrooms
21st Century Needs/Modernizations
To support every student and ensure they have access to the programs and learning spaces that support their futures.
- Infrastructure capacity for updated technology and learning supports
- Flexible learning spaces to accommodate small groups and personalized supports
Student Capacity
Our oldest schools are overcrowded and nearly 900 students must use exterior, portable classrooms.
- Catch up with enrollment growth and address overcrowding
- Provide capacity for changing enrollment and learning needs
Sustainability & Efficiency
Newer systems that meet 21st century standards will increase building efficiency, lowering operational costs.
- Design for sustainable construction and updated energy standards
- Maximize natural lighting
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
2024 Construction levy projects
This measure authorizes a six-year levy totaling $676.9 million or $112.8 million per year for six years. Levy collection would begin in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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