City of Olympia

North Thurston voters will have the chance to weigh in on two proposed levies passed by the school board: one that continues critical operations funding and one that funds much-needed technology and infrastructure improvements.

North Thurston Public Schools Proposition 1 would replace the expiring educational programs and operations levy to continue filling the critical gaps in state funding. At an estimated rate of $2.50 per $1,000 assessed value, the owner of a $500,000 home could expect to pay about $1,250 per year, generating more than $52 million earmarked solely for our schools in 2025 alone.

North Thurston’s school district is a cornerstone of the community, and everyone benefits when our students are safe, happy, and successful at school. Proposition 1, if passed, would replace an expiring levy that covers the roughly 45 percent of daily expenses not met by state funding. Without the levy, a disruption in funding would affect core programs like special education programs, transportation services, meal services, athletics programs, and arts and music curriculums.

Vote Yes on North Thurston Public Schools Proposition 1 to equip our students with the resources and programs necessary for learning success and vibrant futures.

North Thurston Public Schools' Proposition 2 proposes a capital levy to fund safety, technology, and facilities improvements for the school district.

The board of directors of North Thurston Public Schools deemed it necessary to fund needed improvements in the district and adopted Resolution 6 for a four-year capital levy on excess property tax. The levy would generate $18.1 million in annual funding for the next four years through an approximate rate of between $0.71 and $0.77 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the owner of a median $500,000 home, this comes out to about $355 in the first year. 

Now, it is up to voters to authorize the levy to cover improvement needs in areas of safety, health, infrastructure and building maintenance, educational technology, and preschool capacity. Specifically, funding in these areas would allow critical improvements such as fire alarm upgrades, student computer replacements, classroom educational technology updates, roof replacements, food and nutrition improvements, new preschool construction, parking upgrades, and cafeteria utility upgrades.

We know that providing well-resourced learning environments brings the best out of our students and teachers. Vote Yes on North Thurston Public Schools Proposition 2 to invest in the potential of all of our North Thurston students and bring our schools up to date with critical improvements.

If approved by voters, Olympia School District Proposition 1 will replace an expiring educational programs and operations levy in order to continue funding the day-to-day operations of our schools.

This levy, which is a renewal of an expiring levy and not a new tax, supports essential school budget items not covered by state funding. At a rate of approximately $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, the owner of a $500,000 home could expect to pay around $1250 for the vital resources provided to our schools.

The levy supports programs and services like arts curriculums, school supplies, athletics programs, administrative budgets, building maintenance, transportation costs, and teaching support. Conservative opponents of the levy are angling to cut funding to public schools, however, in order to thrive, our students need properly resourced, safe environments for learning.

Vote Yes to replace the expiring educational programs and operations levy to continue investing in opportunity for all Olympia students.