The Future is on the Ballot: Supporting Kids & Schools this February
This article was written by Sean Straub and reflects his personal views and commitment to Everett’s growth. They do not necessarily represent the official stance of Live in Everett or Sean’s various board and committee roles. He’d love to hear from you—feel free to reach out to share your questions, comments, or your own take on our city’s growth.
If you’ve lived in Everett for any length of time, you know we’re a city that’s constantly evolving. From the revitalization of our waterfront to the hum of the creative scene downtown, there’s a distinct energy here. But if you look under the hood of any thriving, vibrant city—the kind that attracts new families, keeps real estate values climbing, and feels like a place where the "next big thing" is always about to happen—you’ll find a common denominator: strong schools.
Students supporting Everett Schools outside Everett High School. Image courtesy of Amber B Photography.
On February 10th, we have a chance to double down on that vibrancy. Everett Public Schools is asking us to consider two measures: Proposition 1 (a School Construction Bond) and Proposition 2 (a renewal Education Levy).
Now, we know "bond and levy" talk can sometimes feel like a high school civics pop quiz you didn't study for. To help us cut through the jargon, we chatted with former school board member (and longtime Everett champion) Caroline Mason. She’s spent years looking at the spreadsheets and the classrooms, and she helped us understand why this isn’t just about "school stuff"—it’s about the health of Everett as a whole.
It’s an Investment in our "Everett-ness"
Caroline puts it simply: “The quality of life in our community is enhanced by graduates who fill jobs in our economy and create a positive impact in our community.”
When we vote ‘Yes,’ we aren't just buying textbooks; we’re investing in the very people who will run our local businesses, nurse us back to health at Providence, and keep our city’s gears turning. A district with a record-breaking 96.3% graduation rate (shout out to the Class of 2025!) is a city that people want to invest in. It’s why our property values stay resilient and why our neighborhoods feel like actual communities.
Architectural rendering of Elementary School #19. Image courtesy Everett Public Schools.
Prop 1: Goodbye Portables, Hello Progress
Let’s talk about the Bond. Right now, the district is using 103 portable classrooms at elementary schools. To put that in perspective, that’s enough to fill two entire schools.
Proposition 1 is designed to get kids out of trailers and into modern, safe, permanent learning spaces. The plan includes:
A brand-new elementary school in the southern part of the district to handle our growing population.
A complete replacement of Lowell Elementary, which is long overdue for a modern upgrade (built in 1951!).
Major upgrades at Cascade High School, including a new STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) building.
Major upgrades to Everett High School’s vocational building, which houses CTE, Career Connected Learning, and special education programs.
Adding 12 permanent classrooms across the district to further shrink that portable count.
“Everett Public Schools has a long history of delivering promised projects on time and on budget,” Caroline reminds us. These aren’t "maybe" projects; they are a blueprint for a safer, more modern Everett and an investment in the success of our youth.
Architectual rendering of Lowell Elementary replacement. Image courtesy of Everett Public Schools.
Prop 2: Keeping the Lights On (and the Coaches Coaching)
While the bond builds the "stuff," the Education Levy funds the "people, programs, and services."
The state provides essentially zero funding for things we consider ‘essential’ to a quality education—like sports, drama, music, and even basic safety staff. The levy fills that 15% gap in the budget. It pays for the counselors who support our kids' mental health, the paraeducators who provide extra reading help, and the clubs that give students a reason to stay engaged.
As Caroline notes, “Losing these dollars would require drastic cuts to sports, clubs, and safety staff.” We don't want a "bare bones" Everett; we want the Everett that wins state championships and produces world-class robotics teams.
Architectural rendering for replacement of Cascade High School's library, cafeteria, and performing arts building. Image courtesy of Everett Public Schools.
The Price of Progress: What’s the Real Impact?
We know "millions" and "billions" are hard to wrap your head around, so let’s talk about what this actually looks like for a typical Everett household.
If both the Bond and the Levy pass, the total tax rate for Everett Public Schools is projected to be about $3.95 per $1,000 of assessed value. That is a modest $0.30 increase over current rates—and notably, it remains lower than the district's 10-year historical average.
For a neighbor living in a home valued at the Everett average of $641,000, here is the breakdown:
Annual Impact: About $192 per year.
Monthly Impact: About $16 per month.
Weekly Impact: Roughly $3.70 per week.
To put that in "Everett terms," that’s less than the cost of a single latte at your favorite local coffee stand once a week. For the price of a few cups of coffee a month, we’re collectively ensuring that our kids aren’t learning in trailers, our high schoolers have modern tech labs, and our student athletes have the support they need.
A Note for our South Everett Neighbors
Everett is a bit of a patchwork when it comes to school district lines. If you live in South Everett—areas like Olivia Park or near Mariner High—you might actually be in the Mukilteo School District.
Your ballot looks remarkably similar, and the mission is just as vital. Mukilteo is also asking voters to support a Capital Bond and a Replacement Education Levy. Just like in the Everett district, these measures are an investment in the stability of our neighborhoods and the future of the kids who live right next door.
How to Vote
Ballots hit mailboxes around January 22nd, so if you haven’t voted already, your ballot is waiting for you. You have until Tuesday, February 10th to make your voice heard.
Ballot Drop Box at EVCC/WSU Everett. Image courtesy of Snohomish County Elections
How to get it done:
No Stamp? No Problem: Pop it in your outgoing mail—postage is pre-paid! Just make sure it is postmarked by February 10th. With the recent changes to how mail is postmarked, the USPS recommends doing so at least a week before Election Day to ensure your ballot is postmarked on time.
Recommended Option: Drop your ballot in any official Snohomish County drop box (like the ones at the Courthouse, Everett Mall or at the southside of the WSU Everett building).
For more nitty-gritty details on the Everett measures, renderings of the new schools, and a breakdown of the math, check out EverettSD.org/bond-levy-2026 or ImVotingYes.com. For the Mukilteo measures, visit mukilteoschools.org/bondlevy2026.
A Personal Note from Sean: Having served on the Everett Public Schools Fiscal Advisory Council for many years, I’ve seen the "under the hood" reality of our school funding. I don’t take tax increases lightly, but I also know that deferred maintenance eventually becomes a much larger bill for the community. Creating positive, safe, and engaging learning environments is paramount to student success. I am voting 'Yes' because I believe in the math of a thriving city: great schools aren’t just a cost; they are the catalyst for the vibrant arts, culture, and economic growth that make our community a place we all want to live, work, play, and stay.
Sean Straub is a Senior Real Estate Broker with Windermere and the Publisher + CEO of Live in Everett. As a lifelong resident of the North Sound and a former member of the Everett Public Schools Fiscal Advisory Council, Sean brings a unique perspective to the intersection of community growth and education. He is a fierce advocate for Everett’s economic development, believing that a thriving city is built on a foundation of great schools, vibrant arts and culture, and quality-of-life initiatives that make people proud to call this place home. When he isn’t championing the city’s next big thing, you can find him helping families find their own slice of Everett at seanstraub.com.
