Two Everett School District Propositions For You to Vote On

Rendering of new elementary school.

February 10th special elections in Everett center around two Everett School District propositions.

The first is a School Construction Bond, and the second is an Education Levy.

Proposition 1: School Construction Bond

The Board of Directors of Everett School District No. 2 adopted Resolution No. 1325 concerning a proposition to finance capital improvements to its facilities. This proposition would authorize the District to:

Everett School District currently uses 103 portables for elementary schools.

• Construct a new elementary school
• Replace Lowell Elementary
• Replace the library/cafeteria and add a CTE building at Cascade High
• Add twelve elementary classrooms
• Renovate the Vocational Building at Everett High
• District wide: Improve safety, security, HVAC, roofing, and other systems.
• Replace portables
• Improve fields and playgrounds

Specifically, if accepted, the district will issue $396,849,890 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years and levy annual excess property tax levies to pay such bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 1325.

A 60% approval is needed for the construction bond to pass.

Proposition 2: Renewal of Expiring Education Levy

The Board of Directors of Everett School District No. 2 adopted Resolution No. 1326, concerning a proposition to maintain current educational programs and operations funding.

This proposition would authorize the District to levy the following excess taxes, renewing an expiring levy, upon all taxable property within the District, for support of the District’s General Fund educational programs and operations expenses that are not fully funded by the State:

2027:    $2.14/$1,000 of Assessed Value   ($82,500,000 Total Levy Amount)
2028:    $2.19/$1,000 of Assessed Value   ($87,500,000 Total Levy Amount)
2029:   $2.26/$1,000 of Assessed Value   ($93,000,000 Total Levy Amount)
2030:    $2.31/$1,000 of Assessed Value   ($98,000,000 Total Levy Amount)

The funds will go towards academic programs like STEM, Advanced Placement, and Highly Capable. Additionally, it will be used to support teachers, custodians, and health room staff – positions not fully funded by state resources.

The levy makes up 15%, or $67 million, of the district’s budget. Another 76% of Everett Public Schools funding comes from the state, 5% from federal funds, and 4% from other sources.

This is a four-year renewal of the current educational program and operations levy.

Combined Effect:

For the current year, taxpayers in the district pay a combined millage rate of $3.65 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Voter approval of both the bond and levy would raise that to an estimated $3.95 per $1,000.

A house valued at $600,000 would see in increase in taxes from $2,190 a year to $2,370 a year, or about $15 extra a month.