REALTORS® endorse construction levy for Lake Washington School District

BELLEVUE, Washington (September 24, 2024) – Seattle King County REALTORS® have endorsed the Building Excellence Capital Construction Levy for the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). The $676.9 measure will appear on the November 5 ballot.

If approved, the levy will generate an average of $112.8 million per year for six years starting in 2026. As past bonds and levies expire, the tax rate is projected to stay stable.

The REALTORS’ endorsement followed a presentation by LWSD Associate Superintendent (CEO) Barbara Posthumus and Trevor Willett, chair of the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee. 

In his remarks during a meeting with members of SKCR’s Governmental and Public Affairs Committee Willett told REALTORS, “As a parent of two young children, when I was looking to buy my first home three years ago, the quality of neighborhood public schools was the first thing I checked on every listing.” 

“REALTORS know homebuyers are keenly interested in high-performing schools, and in investing in them. Research by the National Association of REALTORS® shows that homes located near schools with excellent ratings were not only more sought after but also commanded higher prices,” stated Michael Orbino, 2024 president of the Seattle King County REALTORS®.

Orbino also praised LWSD for its district-wide graduation rate that has averaged more than 94% over the past five years. “As noted in NAR’s research, schools with high academic standards are essential for attracting quality residents and fostering a thriving local economy,” he stated.  

The levy would fund the district’s second phase of its Building Excellence Plan focusing on aging facilities. Most of the funds would be used to rebuild and enlarge four schools that have not been updated in the past 40 years: Alcott Elementary School in Redmond; Smith Elementary in Sammamish; Kamiakin Middle School in Kirkland; and Evergreen Middle School in Redmond. As part of the designs and construction, the district will be better able to ensure secure facilities with single entry points. Aging HVAC systems will also be updated.

The buildings will be solar ready and the district will seek grants and other funding from community sources since the state does not cover such expenditures.

Additionally, the levy would cover upgrading and modernizing the field house and community pool at Juanita High School. (This facility was not included as part of the 2016 bond to rebuild and enlarge Juanita High School.) District representatives said an advisory committee recommended pre-construction designs, which are completed. Plans call for building in front of or behind existing buildings to minimize disruptions or displacement, and to involve the construction team in classroom teaching opportunities by providing updates.  

LWSD officials told REALTORS the average estimated tax rate over the six years of the proposed measure is $0.89 per thousand. The owner of a home assessed at $745,000 would be taxed about $663 annually.

“REALTORS support the Lake Washington School District’s commitment to meet the 21st century health, safety and learning standards, along with the plans to sustainably rebuild schools to ensure operating and cost efficiency,” said Gina Madeya, chair of SKCR’s Governmental and Public Affairs Committee. “We applaud the efforts to replace many of the 162 portables being used district-wide with safe and modern learning spaces,” she added, noting the four rebuilt schools will expand capacity by 869 students. 

The Lake Washington School District is the state’s second largest and was reportedly the least affected by enrollment declines during the pandemic. For the 10 years prior to the pandemic, the district experienced about 30% growth. It currently encompasses 56 schools serving around 30,500 students in Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish. 

Taylor Shanaman, SKCR’s director of Governmental & Public Affairs, said REALTORS in the Lake Washington School District will be encouraged to vote yes on the capital construction levy and to support the campaign with signage and other “get out the vote” activities. 

Seattle King County REALTORS®, based in Bellevue, has more than 6,500 members and is a local board of the National Association of REALTORS®. Members of the nonprofit professional trade association adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and participate in matters at all levels of government that affect private property rights, housing supplies, affordability, and homeownership opportunities. Membership is voluntary, and only members may use the term REALTOR®, which is a registered collective membership mark.