Frequently Asked Questions
When is the OSD Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy Election?
The Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy proposal will be on the February 10, 2026, Special Election ballot.
How do I register to vote?
There are several ways to register to vote, including online, by mail or in person. View voter registration deadlines for the February 10, 2026, Special Election on the Thurston County Elections Division website.
Where can I vote?
This Special Election is mail-only. Ballots will be mailed in mid-January, 2026. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day on February 10, 2026, or dropped off postage-free in ballot drop boxes located throughout the Olympia School District. For a list of ballot drop box locations, visit the Thurston County Elections Division website.
How much funding will the levy generate for schools?
The levy would raise an estimated $72.9 million over a four-year period (2027-2030).
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2027: $16,703,000
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2028: $17,676,000
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2029: $18,707,000
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2030: $19,901,000
What would the replacement levy pay for?
Is this a new tax?
No, the proposed replacement levy is not a new tax. The measure on the February 2026 ballot would replace an expiring four-year Technology and Safety Levy approved by Olympia School District voters in February 2022.
What is the estimated Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy tax rate?
The estimated rate depends on the final dollar amount of the assessed property value within the school district. As of October 1, 2025, based on information provided by the County Assessor’s office and historical growth trends, the estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation is:
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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
How do the estimated tax rates compare to the last Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Levy and the overall (combined) tax rate from all voter-approved levies and bonds?
The estimated rates for the proposed Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement levy 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 results in approximately $5.50 per year in additional tax.
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 well within 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.
Didn’t school districts receive emergency pandemic funding and, if so, why do we still need a levy
School districts received federal COVID-19 relief funds through the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) to mitigate the pandemic's impacts. These were not ongoing funds. The one-time funds were used to cover expenses associated with the pandemic; funds expired on August 31, 2023. Further, there were restrictions on how ESSER funds could be spent.
Are there tax exemptions for low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities?
Yes. Low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for a tax exemption. For more information, visit the Thurston County Assessor’s website or call the county Assessor’s Office at (360) 867-2200.
How many votes are required by state law to pass a school levy?
School levies require a majority vote — 50 percent plus one, to pass.
Where can I get more information about the school district’s proposed Technology and Safety Replacement Levy?
Specific details about the ballot measure are available on the district website. In addition to this Frequently Asked Questions webpage, you may visit the Levy 2026 webpage for a summary of information and other related links to webpages that address Voter Registration and information about tax rate and cost. For additional information, contact the Olympia School District Communications and Community Relations department at (360) 596-6103.