Dear Shoreline Schools Community,

At the April 30, 2025, Special School Board Meeting, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-7 to place a one-year supplemental levy on the August 5, 2025 ballot. This decision follows the district’s recommendation to request the maximum amount permitted under the recent legislative change (ESHB 2049, which is pending gubernatorial approval).

If the voters of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park approve this measure, the district could collect approximately $7.25 million in 2026—about $3.8 million in April 2026 (toward the 2025–26 budget year) and the remainder in October 2026 (for the 2026–27 budget year). These funds could provide significant support as we continue to face tough financial realities ahead.

This potential one-year supplemental levy is entirely separate from the upcoming replacement levies that will be on the ballot in February 2026, to go into effect in 2027 if approved. This levy on the August 2025 ballot will supplement the final year of the existing four-year educational programs and operations levy that expires at the end of calendar year 2026. 

I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone in our community who has advocated so passionately for public education. Your calls, emails, letters, and outreach to state legislators made a real difference—not just for Shoreline students, but for students across Washington. I am also incredibly appreciative of those who quickly stepped up to submit the “for” and “against” statements for the King County voter’s pamphlet, despite the short turnaround.

The potential for this additional funding is a hopeful step forward. In the coming weeks, we will begin sharing details about the supplemental levy to ensure residents have access to clear, accurate information.

With an estimated reduction target for the 2025-26 budget year of $6.5 million, the possibility of approximately $3.8 million in revenue if the supplemental levy passes could improve our fiscal picture significantly. And with the legislative session ending just this past Sunday, April 27, OSPI is developing the tools for districts to calculate how their Special Education and MSOCs funding will be affected by the recently passed legislation. However, possible supplemental levy collection and other revenue increases from the legislature do not get us to a place of financial health in and of themselves. While fewer reductions will likely be needed if this additional revenue is realized, we must still make spending reductions as we work to re-establish a policy-compliant and fiscally responsible unreserved fund balance. You can take the 2025-26 Budget Development Survey to provide input.

If the voters of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park approve the one-year supplemental levy, the taxes collected in 2026 will fund a portion of the educational programs and operations not fully funded by the State of Washington. These include instructional and support staff pay and training, transportation, and programs such as special education, athletics, music, drama, and other extracurricular activities.

Thank you to staff, families, and members of our community for your continued care, engagement, and support of our students and schools. It is because of our community’s commitment that I remain so proud to be a part of Shoreline School District.

With appreciation,
Dr. Susana Reyes