Support for levy | Letters

Published 2:30 pm Monday, January 26, 2026

Support for levy

Mercer Island is a special place. My wife and I moved here 10 years ago because the beautiful parks, thriving shops, and excellent schools ensconced in Lake Washington seemed like an ideal place to raise a family. The intervening years have taught us that the virtues that make Mercer Island an extraordinary place to call home are a reflection of the shared values of this unique community.

We believe in preserving nature for future generations, shopping the local economy, and supporting our neighbors in good times and challenging ones. Most importantly, we understand that quality public schools unlock myriad opportunities for our children to thrive.

Indeed, Washington state’s constitution declares “the paramount duty of the state” is to educate the children residing here. Yet, the funding from the state as a percentage of the budget has only decreased over the past decade, overtaken by rising costs. On Feb. 10, Mercer Island residents will be asked to vote to renew an operating levy representing 16% of the district’s budget. Our community can help fulfill the paramount responsibility that our state has abrogated. This renewal with a legislated $500 per student adjustment starting in 2027 is an increase of only $0.15 per $1,000 in property taxes or $330 annually on an average $2.2 million home.

While I could extol the virtues of smaller class sizes, more subjects, and better college preparedness, the stark reality is that this is a renewal of existing funding. If this levy fails, drastic cuts to one-sixth of the budget would disrupt student learning across the board. The levy is vital to the well-being of our kids.

I humbly ask you to join me in reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every student on Mercer Island receives an excellent education. Vote Yes for our kids.

Stephen Yu, Mercer Island