Welcome to the second year of Foundations, an e-newsletter focused on keeping our community updated on current and past levy and bond initiatives and how their tax dollars are supporting student learning and achievement, while keeping our school buildings modernized and maintained. Follow along in the spirit of learning every month for a new edition. 

This replacement levy only funds the most critical and emergent needs and projects for schools. After December 2024, there will be no voter-approved capital funding source. Most of this equipment and infrastructure has reached or surpassed its expected lifespan, with warranties expired. As a result, we are seeing an increase in failure rates and maintenance costs. It is not a new tax and replaces current funding.

Here are additional details about the needs supported by this funding:

Technology Education

• High School Document Cameras: 10-15+ year old devices

• Classroom Displays: Current warranty is expired, failure rates increasing

• Software Subscriptions For Learning: Canvas (a Learning Management Platform) Student Information System, Microsoft Licensing, Children’s Internet Protection Web Filter

• One-to-One Devices: 7-year lifecycle to make sure we’re using taxpayer dollars efficiently

Technology Infrastructure

• Cybersecurity Operations: 24/7 monitoring and response for cyber threats

• Managed Broadband Internet Service: Security and maintenance of internet service to support student learning

• Classroom Voice Amplification Systems: Current devices out of warranty; failure rates increasing, used to help all students hear the teacher

• Intercom Systems: Essential for safety and communication, 50% of school intercoms/components are failing

• Uninterruptible Power System: Powers districtwide data center and is over 17 years old

Watch classroom voice amplification system video (47 seconds)

Watch intercom safety video (38 seconds)

 Critical Repairs

• Transportation Fueling Center: Current fuel tanks are past their life cycle; needed for code compliance

• Central Kitchen Emergency Generator: Keep food from spoiling during a power outage; approximately $1,000,000 of food in storage

• School Roof Replacements: 7 schools with average age of 30 years old

• Boiler Replacements: These boilers were last updated from 1999-2007 and need to be replaced so students and staff can be warm and safe

Watch boiler replacement video (22 seconds)

Watch Central Kitchen Emergency Generator video (26 seconds)

Watch Transportation Fueling Center video (30 seconds)

Health and Safety

• Fire Alarm Replacements: Typical lifespan is 15-20 years; average age of these systems is 29.5 years; critical for the safety of our students and staff

• Siding and Portables: 1 school needs exterior siding repair; 6 portables need new roofs to remain safe and dry

• Athletic Fields For Students & Community

  • MILL CREEK: a non-usable field when heavy rains occur

  • KENTRIDGE: a non-usable field; currently renting fields from City of Kent to support student athletes

What happens if this levy fails?

Since the scope of the November 5 Capital and Technology Replacement Levy needs and projects are critical or emergent, the district will need to secure money from its general fund to address failing equipment. The 2024-25 general fund budget shows a deficit of $9.7 million and $6.5 to $12.8 million deficit in the succeeding years. These deficits will exponentially grow when funds are allocated to critical and emergent needs, forcing the district to identify budget balancing solutions that may negatively impact employment contracts and staffing decisions.

Even if this levy is approved, the Kent School District will still need to address declining enrollment and expired ESSER funding budget challenges in the general fund.

For more information visit our website at 2024 Capital Projects & Technology Replacement Levy

King County Ballot Drop Box Map

In February 2018, voters approved a six-year Technology and Capital Projects Levy providing funds to fill our district's technology and facility needs.  

The state provides a minimum amount of funding for technology in schools. At the same time, the need for technology in our school district continues to grow. More and more traditional book-based curricula include digital resources. Educational software programs can supplement learning or give students who need extra help another way to learn.

Refreshed Devices for Teachers  and School Office Staff

Because technology changes rapidly, devices need to be refreshed. Kent School District has been on a four-year refresh cycle. To be more efficient with taxpayers dollars, we are moving to a seven-year refresh cycle for electronic devices for the 1:1 initiative, hoping they will last that long. Devices were refreshed from the 2018 levy that support teachers and school office staff. These devices offer additional RAM to better support staff efficiency. Extra ports ensure teachers can connect to other classroom technologies when engaging with students.  

Asset Management Tracking System  

The 2018 levy supports Incident IQ. This software tracks device-related equipment purchased with Technology Levy funds in real time. It also doubles as a technology support platform to track student and staff requests to the Customer Support Center. 

Our district is committed to fostering transparency and accountability in every aspect of our work, ensuring trust and open communication with our community. Find a list of all bond and levy capital projects and their completed or in progress status with dollar amounts below.

All 2018 Capital Levy Projects Update

All 2016 Bond Projects Update

In spirit of transparency and accountability, Kent School District received a clean state audit. The audit of the Kent School District focused on various aspects of its operations including procurement – public works, conflict of interest, and use of restricted funds – bond proceeds to name a few.

To keep our community informed, below are a few photos from recently completed capital projects supported by voter-approved funds.