School District Explores Midterm Election Strategy After Facing Tough Funding Votes

KENT, Mich. — Kent School District leaders are weighing a strategic shift in how they approach their next levy measure, potentially asking voters for funding approval in November 2026 rather than the originally planned February 2027 special election.

Raul Parungao, district executive director of finance, proposed the idea during an April 1 Kent School Board budget discussion. The current four-year levy expires Dec. 31, 2027, and district leaders need to replace it to continue funding essential educational programs and operations.

"We're considering going into the midterm election in November of 2026 and it will give us a little bit more opportunity in case we need to use another election," Parungao said. "So say if we fail the first one, we could go into the special election again in February."

Why November?

Parungao cited two main reasons for favoring a November election over a special election in February.

First, the strategic hedge: if voters reject the levy in November, the district could still attempt a special election in February 2027. This approach provides flexibility while acknowledging the challenging funding landscape.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, November elections historically see higher voter participation rates. The district is betting that midterm elections provide better chances for passing funding measures.

"I think we have a good chance on that election," Parungao said regarding the November option.

A Pattern of Close Votes

Kent voters have a complicated history with school funding measures. The past several elections show just how narrow the margins have been.

In November 2023, 50.83% of voters approved the current operating levy. On the same ballot, a four-year, $219 million capital projects and technology levy fell just short, receiving 48.87% approval.

The pattern continued in April 2024, when voters rejected a similar $190.2 million capital project and technology levy.

November 2024 brought a different result. When the board and staff reduced a measure to $97.8 million for three years, voters narrowly approved it with 50.77% in favor.

Earlier elections show even starker examples of how close these votes have been:

• February 2018: A six-year capital projects and technology levy received exactly 50.02% approval to bring in about $146 million over six years
• February 2018: A two-year educational programs and operations levy received 50.53% approval to bring in $94 million over two years
• February 2022: A two-year educational programs and operations levy passed with 53.8% in favor

Bonds have been even more difficult to pass, requiring a higher 60% threshold for approval:

• April 2023: A $495 million bond failed with only 48% in favor
• April 2016: A $252 million bond failed by 218 votes, receiving 59% when it required 60% for passage
• November 2016: The same bond measure succeeded with 67% approval

The Numbers Game

The district's current situation involves finding ways to address a $30.5 million shortfall in the 2026-2027 district budget. The district attributes this gap to three primary factors:

• Insufficient state funding
• Rising operational costs
• Declining student enrollment

A vote to approve that budget is scheduled for June.

The King County Elections filing deadline to place measures on the Nov. 3 ballot is Aug. 4. Meanwhile, the board continues evaluating the best path forward.

What Comes Next

The five-member Kent School Board will eventually decide whether to submit the next levy to voters in November 2026 or February 2027. The board's decision comes as they navigate the ongoing budget shortfall and work to ensure adequate funding for students across the district's schools in Kent County.

With the district's current levy set to expire in December 2027, finding the right timing and approach for the next funding measure remains a priority. The November strategy represents a calculated attempt to leverage higher voter turnout and improve the odds of success in what has been a consistently challenging funding environment.