Our entire community benefits from a strong school district that provides every student with high-quality curriculums, enriching programs, and safe, modern learning environments. If approved, Lakewood School District Proposition 1 replaces an expiring educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy. Voters may recognize this proposition from its appearance on the February Special election ballot, where it narrowly failed to gain enough votes to pass.

The school board has placed this EP&O levy in front of voters again because of its vital importance to funding the basics of public education in Lakewood. District schools rely on this levy to fund an estimated 14 percent of the day-to-day budget that is not covered by state funding. If the levy fails again, Lakewood schools will be left without funding for expenses such as athletics programs, learning technology, extracurricular clubs, music and drama programs, and more.

Like the February proposition, this levy replacement would renew at a rate of $1.73 per $1,000 of assessed property value – an annual cost of about $874 a year for the owner of a $505,000 home in Lakewood. This investment is necessary to maintain critical elements of a Lakewood education.

Vote Yes to ensure Lakewood students aren’t left behind for lack of opportunity and resources.