What's at stake in Woolley?
Essential, balanced information for Sedro-Woolley voters regarding the upcoming Educational Programs & Operations and Capital Projects levies.
SaveWoolley.com is a local citizens’ group providing factual information for educational purposes; original source documents are linked. No position on the levies is being advocated.
In February, 2026, Sedro-Woolley voters will decide on two levies, the Educational Programs & Operations (EPO) Levy & the Capital Projects (CP) Levy.
EPO Levy
More than half of students are below grade level in core subjects. Teachers and staff work diligently to support students, but the levy prompts discussion about how funding can improve outcomes. This levy risks simply extending the status quo.
Capital Projects Levy
Many levy-funded projects were not top priorities in the architectural survey, and some urgent repairs remain.
Educational Programs & Operations Levy
The Educational Programs & Operations (EPO) Levy (Proposition 1) mainly funds salaries and staffing. Average district salaries are higher than what many Sedro‑Woolley families earn, meaning levy dollars sustain compensation rather than expand opportunities.
The levy provides a nurse in every school and nearly a counselor or psychologist in each building, yet students in rural elementary schools and Cascade Middle School have no art teacher. This leaves gaps in equitable access to enrichment while core challenges persist: bullying, behavior issues, and many students testing below grade level.
Levy statistics:
- This levy is not a simple replacement of the previous one. It would increase property taxes from $2.15 to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Over four years, a homeowner with a $500,000 property would pay approximately $700 more than under the current levy.
- The levy is projected to collect about $66.3 million over four years, with the levy lid ensuring the district cannot exceed the approved amount.
- Annual funding for classroom curriculum and instructional materials is estimated at $550,000–$600,000.
- The levy supports salaries and benefits for roughly 27 teachers, 55 paraeducators, 6 school nurses, 5 psychologists, 22 custodians/maintenance staff, and 2 security staff, totaling $10.6–$10.75 million/year.
- Athletic programs are fully supported by the levy at $1.2–$1.3 million/year.
- Utilities, phones, and internet services are estimated at $110,000–$120,000/year.
Key takeaway: Accountability is important. The EPO Levy maintains existing staffing patterns but does not directly address student achievement or equal access to extended learning opportunities. More than half of students are below grade level in math, English, and science. Without changes in priorities, the levy may continue current patterns rather than target gaps in performance or equity. At the same time, however, if the levy is not funded, some teacher and staff positions and programs could be reduced, which would affect services available to students.
Capital Projects Levy
The Capital Levy (Educational Facility Maintenance, Technology and Safety Levy) funds repairs, safety systems and technology for the district. This 6 year levy (Proposition 2) will collect approximately $16 million. Properties will be assessed at $0.38–$0.42/thousand of assessed value.
Levy statistics:
Sedro-Woolley School District contracted with an architectural firm to conduct a facilities evaluation in 2024. Their assessment and summary identified urgent facility needs. Click the “Learn Even More” button below for a breakdown by school, showing survey findings, needs the levy addresses, and needs NOT addressed by the levy. We also identify projects funded by the levy that are not identified as needs.
Key takeaway: Many levy-funded projects—including athletics upgrades, parking expansions, air conditioning installations, technology replacements, and furniture purchases—were not identified as priorities in the architectural survey, meaning levy dollars are being directed toward enhancements and modernization efforts rather than urgent building repairs. While the levy does address some high‑priority needs like plumbing, roofs, ADA access, and selected window replacements, critical issues, including foundation stabilization, electrical upgrades, HVAC replacement, and moisture intrusion remain unfunded, even as projects like new tennis courts move forward. These gaps underscore why transparency is essential: voters deserve to clearly see what is being fixed now and which pressing needs are being bypassed in favor of other priorities.
Unfunded Needs
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Funded Projects
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