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Kent Voters Approve Levy with REALTORS® Support

February 4, 2025

On election night in November, the Kent School District’s ballot proposition was losing with just 49.11% of the vote. Because it was a levy, and not a bond, 50% approval is required for passage. When all the votes were tallied, it passed with 50.77%.

Citizens for Kent Schools made a late request for campaign help from Seattle King County REALTORS®. Former School Board President Leslie Hamada met with the association’s Government Affairs Committee, made the case, and received the REALTORS®’ endorsement. Everyone went to work to secure passage of Proposition #1 to renew a Capital Projects and Technology Levy. The amount of money requested was approximately half the amount of an April 2024 levy proposal that was not approved by voters. The November levy request was reduced as result of polling which indicated voters believed the amount requested in April was more than their households could afford to pay.

The November levy approved by voters with the REALTORS®’ support will provide critically important funding for student technology, safety, and health improvement programs and projects. Funding also includes upgrades to building fire alarm systems, installation of new boilers, roofing and building siding improvements, replacement of a transportation fueling station, a new emergency generator for the child nutrition program refrigeration system, modernized Mill Creek Middle School and Kentridge High School athletic fields, and other capital improvements. In addition, the levy will help to continue the district’s one-to-one computer device program, as well as refreshing safety intercom systems, voice amplification systems, and classroom display technologies. The levy also provides funding to enhance cybersecurity and disaster recovery infrastructure, make network infrastructure improvements, and replace the district’s data center un-interruptible power supply.

Based on projected assessed valuation information, the district estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation would be: $0.72 in 2025, $0.70 in 2026, and $0.68 cents in 2027.

Former School Board President Leslie Hamada and Assistant Superintendent Wade Barringer expressed their thanks for the REALTORS®’ support in helping the district to finally obtain victory in this very close election.

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