MISD replacement levy on the Feb. 10 special election ballot

Published 8:30 am Thursday, January 22, 2026

Local residents will be voting on a Mercer Island School District (MISD) replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy in the Feb. 10 special election.

According to an explanatory statement on the King County Elections (KCE) site, “Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow the Mercer Island School District to replace the existing educational programs and operations levy that will expire at the end of calendar year 2026.”

The levy needs a simple majority to pass.

KCE mailed out ballots on Jan. 21 and people should receive them around Jan. 23. Voters who have not received their ballots by Jan. 26 can call KCE at 206-296-VOTE (8683).

According to the school district, the levy funds essential educational services not covered by Washington state; 16% of MISD’s annual operating budget comes from the EP&O Levy; it supports K-12 class sizes, electives and a seven-period day at Mercer Island High School (MIHS); sustains more than 50 MIHS athletic teams and 16 Islander Middle School athletic teams; and funds essential operations and programs such as safety, reading specialists in every elementary, additional paraeducators and psychologists.

“Replacing provides funding for MISD students through 2030. The EP&O Levy helps bridge the gap between state funding and real student needs including programs and services, special education, mental health supports, safety, technology, transportation, critical building repairs and more,” MISD said.

According to the KCE site, the proposed levy would authorize collection of taxes to provide up to $16 million in 2027, $17 million in 2028, $18 million in 2029 and $19 million in 2030. The levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value required to produce these amounts is estimated to be $0.72 in 2027, $0.75 in 2028, $0.77 in 2029 and $0.80 in 2030.

“This renewal is critical to maintaining the quality of education our children receive here on Mercer Island,” said Citizens for Mercer Island Public Schools.

A statement in favor of the levy on the KCE site notes, in part, that Mercer Islanders have a long history of supporting their students and strong schools. This renewal levy provides funding for critical student learning not funded by the state’s “basic education.” Starting in 2027, this replacement levy would increase taxes by $27.50 per month for the average $2.2 million home.

According to KCE, “The district didn’t appoint a con committee and no one came forward during the appointment window, so there will not be a con statement for the Mercer Island measure.”

Voters can utilize 24-hour ballot drop boxes, including one at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (8236 SE 24th St.), or send in their ballots by mail. Ballots must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on election day.

For more information, visit the KCE site at: https://tinyurl.com/tv89aat2; the MISD levy page at: https://tinyurl.com/2cxj88wu ; and the Yes MISD 2026 website at: https://www.yesmischools.org/