School board approves Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy election
The Olympia School Board has unanimously agreed to place a Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy proposal before voters on the February 10, 2026, Special Election ballot.
The proposed replacement levy is not a new tax. It would replace an expiring four-year technology and safety levy approved by voters in February 2022. The levy would raise an estimated $72.9 million over a four-year period (2027-2030).
“The Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy reflects our community’s ongoing commitment to student success and well-being,” said School Board Director Scott Clifthorne. “It ensures that every school has up-to-date technology, safe and welcoming spaces and the resources needed for high-quality learning.”
Projected Revenue
The Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement replacement levy's projected tax rate for each of the next four years depends on the final dollar amount of assessed property value within the school district.
Based on current information, the estimated tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation would be:
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2027: 96 cents
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2028: 96 cents
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2029: 96 cents
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2030: 97 cents
The above estimated rates represent a slight increase compared to the technology and safety levy approved by voters for 2023-2026, which estimated tax rates to be between $0.90 and $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Every $0.01 change in property tax on a house assessed at $550,000 is approximately $5.50 per year.
Historically, Olympia School District has aimed to keep total OSD tax collections under $5 per $1,000 of assessed property value. While the tax rate associated with the new Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy would be slightly higher, the combined estimated district tax rate from all voter-approved levies and bonds would remain in that historical target.
For a detailed tax rate projection analysis across several years, please view a Tax Rate Projections presentation shared at the October 9, 2025, Olympia School Board meeting. It also provides a detailed historical summary of other voter-approved measures.
Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy Planning Committee
The school board voted on the replacement levy after reviewing a proposal from the district’s Technology and Safety Levy Planning Committee.
The committee, comprising operations staff, teacher-librarians, principals, cabinet members, a board member, and a student representative, met in June, August, and September to examine technology and safety needs and costs before submitting its proposal for consideration.
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