Bellevue School District presents facts on two February levy renewals; council requests future hearing for pro/con presentation

Bellevue School District Superintendent Dr. Kelly Aramaki and Chief of Staff John Harrison presented factual information at the Jan. 6 Bellevue City Council meeting about two levy renewals that will appear on the Feb. 10 special-election ballot.

Proposition 1 would renew the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy, which fills gaps between state funding and district operating needs, including a seventh period at middle and high schools, counselors, psychologists, nurses, special-education funding (approximately 25%), enrichment programs such as music and athletics, and operational supports from transportation to utilities. Proposition 2 would renew the Technology and Capital Projects levy, which funds safety and security measures (AEDs, Narcan in buildings, upgraded cameras, visitor-management systems, vestibules), facility maintenance (roofing, HVAC), environmental upgrades including solar, and technology for students and staff (one-to-one student devices, professional development).

District officials provided projected rate figures: the EP&O levy is projected at 75¢ per $1,000 of assessed value and the technology and capital levy at 54¢ per $1,000 (both projections are subject to final calculation by the county assessor/auditor). Combined, those levies represent roughly 24% of the district’s revenue, with EP&O providing about 16% of the total budget. Staff gave an example for homeowner impact: for a $1.5 million home the estimated combined cost would be about $19.35 per year at the projected rates.

Council members sought details on how levy dollars support cybersecurity, multilingual and dual-language programs, career-technical education and internships, teacher retention, and workforce housing partnerships. The district said it funds a full-time cybersecurity specialist, uses EP&O funds to supplement state funding for multilingual programs and staffing, supports CTE programs (maritime welding, nursing) and internships, and has explored workforce housing options with private partners and consultants. Several council members expressed interest in a future council agenda item to host a pro/con committee presentation and public pro/con comments; the council voted to ask staff to prepare that agenda item with structured time for pro and con committees and public comments.