Proposition 1 - Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

The Snohomish School District Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy funds the following:

• The state’s basic education funding covers just 17.5 (FTE) paraeducators (learning assistants) in Snohomish. Thanks to local levy support - along with other funding sources - the Snohomish School District employs more than 250 part- and full-time (135.7 FTE) paraeducators. These caring adults play a vital role in creating supportive and enriching learning environments for our students.

• The district incurs an annual cost of approximately $24.38 million to provide Special Education services to its students. State and federal funding contribute about $20.533 million per year, leaving the local levy responsible for covering the remaining $3.85 million annually.

• The state requires school districts to provide teachers and classified staff with 12 days of paid sick leave each year. However, it does not provide any funding to cover these sick days for classified staff and only allocates enough to cover the cost of substitutes for about 4 of the 12 days for teachers. While the state contributes approximately $260,000 toward the district’s $3.0 million in total substitute coverage costs, the remaining $2.7 million must be funded through the local levy.

• The school district’s school resource officers (Snohomish County Sheriff Department), who are based at district high schools, are funded entirely through the local levy.

• The state funds 1.5 psychologists for academic supports. There are 12.8 school psychologists across the district, meaning 11.3 are funded through local levy dollars.

• All Snohomish Aquatic Center operational funding comes from local levy funding and facility fees.

• The local levy funds a wide variety of after school activities at our elementary, middle, and high schools such as:

  • The cost of middle and high school athletics including the cost of coaches, uniforms, field and facility upkeep, and transportation to athletic competitions.

  • After-school clubs and activities to help provide students with stronger mental health and academic success. Examples include speech and debate, game clubs, robotics, Knowledge Bowl, book clubs, kindness clubs, etc. All our schools offer clubs and after-school activities.

  • Academic summer programming through the district’s Summer Academy for students in 1st through 6th grades.

  • High school theatre performances. Both Glacier Peak High School and Snohomish High School present plays and musical each year.

Note: Information above provided through the Snohomish School District.