Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council is going to consider a resolution expressing support for Olympia School District No. 111 Proposition 1, a technology and capital projects replacement levy, on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Before taking action, the city council is going to give community members an opportunity to weigh in on the levy.
The proposed replacement levy is not a new tax. It would replace a four-year technology and safety levy that was approved by voters in February 2022.
If approved by voters, the four-year levy would be collected from 2027 through 2030, with an estimated levy rate of $0.96 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the first three years and $0.97 in the final year. The levy would raise approximately $72.9 million over the four-year period.
District information shows the estimated levy rates represent a slight increase compared to the technology and safety levy approved by voters for 2023-2026, which has tax rates ranging from $0.90 to $0.96 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The levy would reauthorize the school district to continue modernizing district facilities by acquiring, developing, installing, and implementing computer technology systems for operations and instruction. It would also fund other capital projects aimed at improving facilities and safety throughout the district.
According to OSD, the replacement levy would fund new and continued technology, safety and facility improvement initiatives, including:
If adopted, the resolution would formally state the city council’s support for Proposition No. 1, which is on the Feb. 10 Special Election ballot.
7 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
TheGreatAnon
Usually I vote yes on school levies but not this time. No on sports arenas. No on more screens. No on more spy cameras.
I vote yes for books, buildings & staff, no on toys, jocks & narcs
Monday, January 26 Report this
JW
Stop feeding the beast. The public school system is a bloated relic more akin to government funded and run daycare than anything else.
Monday, January 26 Report this
JulesJames
I wish these "renewed" or "replacement" levies were subjected to apples-to-apples comparison standards. How much did the existing levy raise? $52.4 million was anticipated during the 2022 levy campaign. $35.4M from the 2018 "replacement" campaign. $22.5m from the 2014 levy campaign. And now we are at $72.9m. In 2014, enrollment was 10,300 +/-. Current enrollment is 9,000 +/-. In one decade, enrollment has declined by 13% but this levy has increased by 225%. Tough sell when them apples are compared.
Monday, January 26 Report this
Boatyarddog
Griffin SD one of the most well funded And Best SD in Washington State. Under funding Schools is Criminal. Screw the Political Bullshit. FUND WELL AND FUND FULLY.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
Carolyn Byerly
I am voting for this proposition. While not a new tax, it does slightly increase the tax rate. However, everything is more expensive now than when the last levy was passed. The portion for safety and surveillance helps to keep those in the schools safer. The portion for technology is incredibly important in today's classrooms. We want our students to get the best education possible, and we want to maintain Olympia's reputation as an excellent district providing that. Everyone benefits from well-educated students. Let's pass this proposition!
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
HappyOlympian
several bullet points of fluff, and the OSD board just voted to include even more indoctrination on all aspects of teaching. I will certainly vote "NO" against the monster that the OSD has become.
Wednesday, January 28 Report this
HappyOlympian
Boatyarddog - school district accepts donations and grants, open your wallet and pay up. Money where your mouth is......
Wednesday, January 28 Report this