School District Leaders Exploring Midterm Election Option to Secure Educational Funding

KENT COUNTY — Kent School District officials are exploring the possibility of submitting a new educational programs and operations levy to voters in November 2026 rather than waiting until February 2027, according to a budget discussion that took place on April 1.

Raul Parungao, the district executive director of finance, proposed the idea during an April 1 Kent School Board budget discussion. The current four-year levy is set to expire on December 31, 2027.

"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."

Parungao also cited a second reason for favoring a November election over a special election in February. November 2026, which is the midterm election, tends to have higher voter participation.

"November 2026, which is the midterm, tends to have more voter participation in the election and so we think that we have a good chance on that election," Parungao said.

District Trying to Hedge Bets on Voter Approval

School district leaders are attempting to hedge their bets because voter approval of school funding measures has been challenging over the past several years. However, they believe November elections historically produce better outcomes.

A total of 50.83 percent of voters approved the current operating levy in November 2023. In contrast, a four-year, $219 million capital projects and technology levy on the same ballot failed with 48.87 percent approval.

In April 2024, voters again rejected a similar $190.2 million capital project and technology levy. When the board and staff reduced the measure to $97.8 million for three years in November 2024, voters narrowly approved it with 50.77 percent in favor.

Voters soundly rejected a $495 million bond in April 2023, which required 60 percent approval because it was a bond rather than a levy. However, voters approved a two-year educational programs and operations levy in February 2022 with 53.8 percent in favor, the last time a special election measure passed.

Voters barely approved a six-year capital projects and technology levy in February 2018 with 50.02 percent in favor to bring in about $146 million over six years. A two-year educational programs and operations levy on the same February 2018 ballot received 50.53 percent approval to bring in $94 million over two years.

Historical Context

When Kent sought a $252 million bond in 2016, it failed in April 2016 by 218 votes — 59 percent — to get the 60 percent majority. The district brought back the same measure in November 2016 and it received 67 percent approval.

A two-year educational programs and operations levy on the same February 2018 ballot received 50.53 percent approval to bring in $94 million over two years.

Budget Shortfall and Cuts

The five-member board will eventually decide when to submit the next levy to voters — this November or February 2027. The King County Elections filing deadline is August 4 to place measures on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Meanwhile, the board continues to try to figure out where to cut $30.5 million from the 2026-2027 district budget. The district blames the shortfall on insufficient state funding, rising operational costs and declining student enrollment.

A vote to approve that budget is set for June.

Filing Timeline

The board has until August 4 to file the appropriate paperwork to place the levy measure on the November 3 ballot. This deadline represents the final opportunity to pursue the midterm election route for securing the district's financial future.