Washington state school districts typically receive funding from local, state and national sources. School districts ask community members to approve levies as a way to bridge the gap between what the state and federal governments provide, and basic services, facilities, supplies, and equipment that schools need to succeed. Local levy measures are then voted on and stay in place for a predetermined amount of time.
On February 10, 2026, the Tumwater School District has a six-year Replacement Safety, Technology & Capital Improvements Levy Election. If passed, the levy would replace the existing levy previously approved by voters in 2022 that is due to expire in 2026.
Tumwater Voters Will Vote on the School District’s Replacement Levy in February 2026
Tumwater District Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Ben Rarick explains that the proposed levy will replace an expiring levy and stay in place for a six-year term. Funds raised are earmarked for capital repairs and improvements, technology upgrades and projects district-wide.
He explains that capital levies manage the cost of ownership – major maintenance and small renovations – at two-to-six-year intervals while capital bonds fund major projects at six-to-10-year intervals (or longer – TSD’s last bond measure was approved by voters in 2014). Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in late January and there are opportunities to comment at Tumwater School Board meetings beforehand, as well as attend digital town hall meetings to learn more and for an opportunity for questions & answers.
There was a School Board work session about the levy in fall 2025 and materials from that evening are currently available online.
Rarick says that if approved, “The measure will fund many of the same types of things that the current measure addresses, but it has been modified to address the new emerging needs we have in our school buildings, and to address the more current technology needs of our students.”
Tumwater School District Levy Designed for District-Wide Updates and Services
Extended levy funds are being sought by the School Board “to support critical student safety and technology improvements, as well as aging and outdated school facilities and equipment,” says Rarick.
“The measure would support specific projects like renovating older elementary schools with modern multi-purpose rooms and bathrooms, as well as repairing end-of-life plumbing, electrical and other failing infrastructure districtwide,” says Rarick. “Additionally, the district will repair and replace synthetic athletic fields, and implement modern playground equipment that is more inclusive and appropriate for all students, including students with special needs, or whose first language is other than English. The funds will continue the one-to-one student laptop and technology program, and will help us protect student data with modern technology equipment and security software.”
Officials are seeking ways to make facilities feel welcoming, functional and adequate for both students and families so they can meet educational needs including academics, extra-curriculars, athletics, and play options for even the youngest students.
Replacement Levy Funding Would Carry Through 2032
Levy funding can be applied to the various costs of running a district. Rarick explains that this particular levy supports their Capital Fund but is different from an Educational Programs and Operations levy (EP&O) which supports the General Fund. The Replacement Safety, Technology & Capital Improvements Levy cannot support basic staffing.
The estimated property tax rate per $1,000 starts at 0.53 in 2027 and rises to 0.73 in 2032 (the levy rate rises as the bond rate decreases over the years leaving a steady overall tax rate) for a total authorized collection of $49.1 million. You can read the official resolution, adopted on November 6 2025, via the district’s website.
Some specific areas of impact include new online and data security tools, building security updates, renovation of 50-year-old bathrooms, replacement of failing roofs and portable buildings, new playground equipment, improvements to pick-up and drop-off zones and the addition of solar panels.
The Tumwater School District includes 13 schools, more than 800 staff members and over six thousand students. You can find Replacement Safety, Technology & Capital Improvements Levy details online and district staff are happy to answer questions. Simply call 360.709.7001 or email questions to tsd.levy.information@tumwater.k12.wa.us to learn more.
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