Tacoma’s School Board of Directors unanimously adopted resolutions that will place two renewal levies supporting all neighborhood schools on the Feb. 10, 2026, Special Election ballot. 

Proposition 1, the Educational Programs and Operations levy, would fund 17% of the school district’s operations, including about 500 staff members.

Proposition 2, the Technology Improvements and Upgrades levy, would fund technology access for all K-12 students. 

Both levies would replace expiring levies that impact every Tacoma Public Schools student in every neighborhood. 

“The replacement levies would support Tacoma’s kids by ensuring students from every background and every neighborhood have access to high-quality educational programs,” said School Board President Korey Strozier. “Whether you have kids in Tacoma Public Schools or not, our entire community benefits from children receiving the best education in the best and safest environment we can give them."

Prop. 1 would support:
Teachers, books and basics

• Teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, paraeducators, coaches, custodians and others, equaling about 500 staff members
• Up-to-date textbooks and classroom learning materials
• Reading and math programs to keep students at grade level

Educational programs for every child

• Programs to keep students on track for graduation
• Career & Technical Education for post-secondary success, including:
• Maritime Skills Center, healthcare, culinary, skilled trades, robotics, technology and agricultural sciences
• Improved access for students and staff with physical disabilities
• Programs for high-achieving students
• College entry exams for all students
• Pre-school and after-school programs
•  Arts, music, athletics and extra-curricular activities 

Maintaining safe schools for cost savings over the long term

• Maintain best environments for teaching and learning
• Repair aged and deteriorating roofs, mechanical systems, and extend life of buildings for cost savings in the long term
• Improvements to school safety and security, fire alarm systems, 911 communications and earthquake safety
• Up-to-date plumbing, heating and ventilation systems to maintain clean air and safe water

Prop. 2 would support:
Up-to-date learning for every student

• Maintain computer and device access for all K-12 students and staff
• Upgrade and improve classroom learning technology
• Digital displays and audio/visual enhancements
• Digital textbooks and electronic instructional materials
• Help desk for students and staff to maintain and repair devices
• Online tracking of student progress, including homework, attendance, grades, and credits toward high school graduation

Update safety, security and privacy

• Firewall, data and privacy systems for students and staff
• Electronic security systems and radio infrastructure
• Network, phone and intercom systems
• Needed software upgrades and staff training

Renewal cost of expiring levies

• Props. 1 and 2 are both 4-year replacement measures that cover the basic day-to-day operations, maintenance and technology needs for every neighborhood school - due to expire in 2026.

• If Prop. 1 passes, the anticipated cost would be $2.23/$1,000 of assessed value, and if Prop. 2 passes, the cost would be $0.79/$1,000 of assessed value (averaged over 4 years).

• The renewal cost to the average Tacoma homeowner is projected to be about $36 more per month for K-12 Educational Programs and Operations and about $11 more per month for Technology Improvements and Upgrades.

“I am proud to say that over the last decade, Tacoma’s graduation rate was consistently higher than the state average, and our class of 2024 set another record with a 91.7% graduation rate,” Strozier said. “That success is a reflection of the entire community investing in our kids with support of school measures like the educational programs and technology improvement levies.”

More detailed information about Propositions 1 and 2 can be found at TacomaSchools.org/Vote.