Listen to the Story

Every vote counts, and nowhere is this truth more evident than in local elections. While national races often dominate the headlines, it's at the local level where individual voices resonate the loudest, and where each ballot cast carries the most weight.
Local elections are frequently decided by razor-thin margins, making every single vote critically important. In our own community, we've seen this play out in dramatic fashion.
Just look at the results of some local school board elections from last November. The numbers tell a compelling story about the power of participation. In one race right here in Bethel, less than 800 votes determined the winner. In Franklin Pierce, one school board seat was decided by 500 votes. In Eatonville, a mere 400 votes made the difference. These aren't abstract statistics. It’s proof that your individual vote can genuinely shape the future of education in our community. 
Local levies are an essential part of school funding here in Washington state, filling critical gaps that state funding does not address. State funding is based on an outdated formula that doesn't reflect the actual needs of modern education. All districts in Washington employ more teachers and staff than the formula pays for, which is why we need local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers. This isn't a Bethel-specific problem, it's a statewide reality that affects every school district.
Passing our local levies also allow Bethel to continue receiving Local Effort Assistance. That’s more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the state that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. If local levies are not approved, not only do we lose the levy money, but we lose the LEA money as well. That's a double financial blow that would severely impact our district.
Both the Educational Programs & Operations Levy and Technology Capital Levy are replacements of expiring measures. They are not new taxes. Both levies are on the February 2026 ballot at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022. These rates allow Bethel to continue what has been working so well for our students, while ensuring consistency and predictability for taxpayers.
The power to shape the future of education in our community is in your hands. Every vote counts, so make sure your voice is heard in the February 10 election.

School safety and security comes from more than locked doors and security cameras. The key factor is the people who work with and build relationships with students each and every day. 
Our Educational Programs & Operations Levy supports over 400 staff members in positions the state underfunds or doesn't fund at all. These include teachers, paraeducators, counselors, social workers, nurses, campus safety officers, and bus drivers. It also fully supports our School Resource Officers. SROs are Pierce County Deputies who are assigned to the district. This isn’t a free service provided by the county. SROs are fully funded by our EP&O Levy.
Superintendent Brian Lowney said SROs are essential to school safety. "Our SROs serve a dual purpose that goes far beyond emergency response. They are building meaningful relationships with our students and staff, fostering trust and strengthening the fabric of our school community. Without the EP&O levy, we simply wouldn't have this vital resource."
The district's location creates some unique safety challenges. All of our schools are far from any major cities, which means longer wait times for emergency help.
"The Bethel School District is not near a city, so having assigned SROs within the district allows for quicker response times to solve problems, rather than having to wait for a deputy that's already busy with other 911 calls,” Deputy Alan Horne, an SRO in Bethel, said.School Resource Officers do more than respond to emergencies. They work to prevent problems before they begin. That includes regular training with staff, evaluations and detailed reviews to assess our schools’ readiness and make adjustments. That way, everyone knows what to do during an emergency.
"Because we use consistent drills and feedback, our schools are some of the best prepared to respond to threats, and in many situations, are able to intervene before people can be hurt," Horne said.
"The School Resource Office position is one of the most important positions in the community,” said Deputy Justin Raplee, another SRO in Bethel. "Education and positive relationships with a struggling youth can completely change the negative direction they were going and support them on a positive path."
Deputy Carly Cappetto agreed. "These relationships give kids someone they feel comfortable turning to, whether for guidance, support, or to report something suspicious."
Election Day for our two replacement levies is February 10, 2026. You can learn more at bethelsd.org/levy. 

Throughout our district, school counselors and social workers play a vital role in helping students navigate not just academics, but the social and emotional challenges that come with growing up. 
At Spanaway Lake High School, school counselor Kelsey Nugent works with students as they make important decisions about their futures, while also helping them manage the everyday realities of adolescence. Counselors support students through academic planning, personal challenges, and post-graduation preparation, ensuring they understand their options and feel confident moving forward. 
“We get to help support students as they’re navigating the challenges of growing and developing through high school,” Nugent said. “We really want to make sure that when they graduate, they’re prepared for the real world, they’re ready to go in whatever pathway they’re choosing, whether that’s the military or straight into the workforce or going to college or a trade school.”
These services are made possible, in part, through our Educational Programs & Operations Levy. State funding does not fully cover the staffing needed to provide comprehensive counseling and social-emotional support across schools. Levy funding helps maintain counselor and social worker positions that are critical to student well-being and success.
That work begins long before students reach high school. At Evergreen Elementary, social worker Chelsea Rambo focuses on helping younger students build the emotional skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Much of that work centers on teaching students to recognize their feelings, understand how those emotions affect behavior, and develop strategies for managing them. 
“A lot of the work we do is to help students regulate emotions,” Rambo said. “We help students learn about different emotions and how they impact them at home and school. And we help provide them with strategies for regulating emotions when they’re feeling really big things.”
These foundational skills are essential for learning. When students are overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to cope, it becomes far more difficult to focus, build relationships, or engage academically. Rambo emphasizes that without these supports, students would face greater challenges.
“If students didn’t have these opportunities to learn these important skills, they would struggle more in the classroom and at home,” she said.
Together, counselors and social workers form a support system that helps students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. 

Our district's commitment to student safety goes far beyond cameras and protocols. It starts with trusted adults who students feel comfortable turning to. 
Bethel Middle School Campus Safety Officer Tua Aiono and MTSS/Student Supervision lead Alberto Rodriguez are two of those people, working side-by-side to make sure every student feels protected, supported, and seen.
For them, safety begins with presence. Their team monitors hallways, classrooms, and common areas, making sure students are where they need to be and stepping in early when something doesn’t look right. Their mindset is focused: everything starts with students being safe.
Both Aiono and Rodriguez emphasize that true safety can’t exist without trust. Students need to know the adults around them are listening, not just enforcing rules. Rodriguez sees that dynamic unfold every day. 
“If these kids don’t trust you and see you as someone who’s just going to get mad and yell and not listen, they won’t be comfortable and they’ll just shut down. Then, if there’s an issue with them, they’ll have a wall built up and won’t ever open up to us,” he said.
That trust transforms their office into a place where students feel safe enough to let their guard down.
“We’ll have students – the toughest kids in the school – will come into our office and just break down,"  Aiono said. "We always tell them this is a safe space and they’re free to talk about whatever they need to talk about.”
Their work also extends into emergency readiness. Both staff members train regularly with School Resource Officers, participate in districtwide drills, and practice lockdown procedures. Rodriguez explained the importance of that preparation clearly.
“In the case anything actually happens, we’re prepared, we’re trained, we know what to do, we know how to follow the policy and make sure everyone is safe.”
Much of this work – along with the systems, staffing, and training that support it – is funded through the district’s Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy. These resources help ensure schools have the personnel and tools needed to keep students safe every day.
For both men, the job is personal. Rodriguez spent eight years as a stay-at-home dad before joining the school. His son attended Bethel Middle, and the schedule and school environment felt right for his family. Aiono came to the role for one reason: the kids. He wants to be someone they can count on.

Every school day starts with an important promise to our families: Your students will get to school safely and on time, ready to learn.
For our Transportation Department, that promise now comes with new technology that makes bus routes easier and safer. This year, Bethel launched its first districtwide digital navigation system. Each bus driver now has a tablet that gives real-time, turn-by-turn directions.
This upgrade has been in the works for years. Transportation Director John West said the change began when the department saw a clear need for better tools. They wanted to make routes more efficient, improve safety, and support drivers and students with updated technology.
“How did we get here? Quite simple actually, a need was identified to support our students and staff by increasing efficiency through modernization,” he said. “After that you just have all the other stuff.”
That “other stuff” took a lot of work. The district had to install new equipment on 220 buses, connect software systems, protect student information, and train staff on how to use everything.
“This is a tool, and like most tools, calibration is necessary to ensure effectiveness,” West said. “Try planning for a new school year and integrating a brand-new system right before the start. Coordination and attention to detail were a must.”
Now that the system is running, drivers can see directions on their tablets, get rerouted around accidents, and receive updates from dispatch instantly. This is especially helpful for new drivers or substitutes who don’t know the routes yet. The tablets also show the list of students on each run, helping drivers learn names, remember stops, and build stronger connections with students.
One of the most helpful features is the ability to send new assignments straight to drivers while they’re already on the road. If a route has no driver, dispatch can reassign it right away. The bus driver doesn’t have to return to the hub or pick up new printed sheets. This helps buses stay on time and reduces the chances of a route being late or canceled.
The new system also makes our buses safer. Some buses are testing a new system where students can check themselves on and off the bus using the tablet. This gives the Transportation Department real-time information about who is riding the bus.
“It’s a huge step forward,” West said. “We used to have student lists on clipboards, but it didn’t allow any fluid tracking of students who go on and off the bus. So this way we’re able to have real-time updates of who’s on our bus.”
Students enjoy using the new system, and it helps them feel more confident and responsible. West says it’s exciting to watch students learn the process and use it independently.
In recent years, districtwide technology improvements supported by the Technology Capital Levy have helped modernize Bethel’s systems. These investments created the foundation that made it possible to bring new tools like this navigation system to our buses.

During a budget update at a recent School Board meeting, the Board paused to discuss how “regionalization” is impacting our bottom line.
Regionalization is an additional percentage of funding that Washington state allocates to some districts but not others. Simply put, the State determines which areas are high-cost areas, and then gives those districts more money each year. The idea is that if the cost of living is higher, the staff needs to be paid more.
The problem with regionalization can be summed up in one word: commuting.
“The fact of the matter is, we’re competing in those job markets with all of the districts around us,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney. “Not every teacher that works in Bethel lives in the Bethel School District.”
Bethel received 0% regionalization until 2023 when we finally were given 6%. 
“As soon as the State did that, they then increased the regionalization of those districts around us.” Lowney said. “We are right back in the same boat we were in.”
With Bethel at 6% and our neighbors now at 12%, Bethel is still at a disadvantage when it comes to hiring. 
“It’s a flawed system,” said Lowney.
Board Director Terrance Mayers Sr. took it a step further and equated regionalization to redlining – a now illegal government practice from the 1930’s where neighborhoods were deprived of resources and opportunities based on residents’ race. “It [regionalization] may be well intentioned, but at the end of the day that’s kind of what it is,” he said. “They say that kids in schools in certain areas should get more money than us.”
Mayers said that doesn’t sit well with him. “Sometimes best efforts aren’t seen through an equity lens. And we do everything we can to try and make up for the difference,” he said.
Another issue with state funding is the outdated funding formula used to decide how much money school districts need in the first place. All districts in Washington need to employ more teachers and staff than the formula currently pays for, which is why we need local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers.
While total dollars invested in K-12 education has increased over the last decade, the K-12 share of investment has declined. Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. In 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%.
Passing our local levies also allows Bethel to continue receiving Local Effort Assistance. That is more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the State that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. If local levies are not approved, not only do we lose the levy money, but we lose the LEA money as well.
Our two replacement levies will be on the ballot in February. You can learn all about them at bethelsd.org/levy.

Over 100 Washington school districts will have levies on the ballot for renewal this year. So will Bethel.
While we’re not alone in having a levy on the ballot, the big difference is that we aren’t asking our taxpayers for more money. Both levies are at the same tax rates that voters approved back in 2022.
“Not a penny more,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney.
Many districts will be asking their constituents for an increase in 2026. But Lowney and our School Board know that times are tough for families. But being good stewards isn’t always easy.
“That’s a hard thing to do to continue to make ends meet in this time and age with just a true replacement levy with the same rate.” Lowney said. “We’re making dollars stretch around here.”
The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. 
These are not new taxes. Both levies are replacements of expiring measures that our community has supported in the past, the Tech Levy since 2014 and the EP&O for decades.
The EP&O Levy alone accounts for more than 15% of our district’s budget. That includes over 400 staff serving in positions that the state underfunds, or doesn’t fund at all. The Technology Capital Levy keeps classroom technology up to date, provides iPads for all students, funds cybersecurity, infrastructure, and much more.
Election Day is February 10, 2026.
Learn more at bethelsd.org/levy

Before the Technology Capital Levy was first approved by voters in 2014, the district piloted many different options for student devices, and iPads had come out on top for a variety of reasons. Apple had the biggest educational ecosystem at the time, and the devices were a good size and easy to use for all students.
That investment in iPads is now making taxpayers’ dollars go even further. 
Chief Technology Officer Mike Christianson said Apple products are efficient and dependable, plus they also have a high resale value. That’s important when devices are replaced every three to four years.
“So instead of a Chromebook, that after four years the device is either given away, or sold for $5 or even paid to dispose of at times, we’re receiving about a third of the value of the original purchase price.”
With 21,000 devices being replaced, that means millions of dollars are being brought back into the district, stretching those Tech Levy dollars as far as possible.
Those devices are setting students up for success in the future. We all know technology is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean it’s tech time from the start of the school day to the final bell.
“An iPad is not the best tool for learning at every moment of the day. In fact we know screen time is an issue, whether it’s instructional or Youtube, we know that too much screentime is not good for anybody,” Christianson said. “It’s a tool for teachers to enhance instruction, not to replace instruction, not to replace a teacher, not to replace a pencil.”
“Obviously we’re not on our iPads all day,” said Liberty Middle School teacher Melissa Heltsley. “But when we do need them, they are so effective in developing our students into the future leaders we want to see in this world.”
Heltsley was one of the original pilot teachers who test drove those iPads more than a decade ago. “Before that, I remember how challenging it was to plan for research for all of our various topics we cover, and how I had to sign up to use the computer lab, and the kids only got one day, and it was very complex,” she said.
Now with iPads in the classroom, research is instantly at students' fingertips, and they can work on increasingly creative, complex projects.
When students are using their devices, Christianson said we need to ensure students stay safe online. That’s why cybersecurity is another big ticket item the Tech Levy pays for. Even something as simple as two-factor authentication has a cost associated with it. Christianson said with over 3,000 staff and 21,000 students, the free version of a security software isn’t going to cut it. The Tech Levy allows us to ensure the security technology is scalable to our needs, and that it can be managed and support our users well.
Another thing the Tech Levy funds is digital storage. That may seem like a strange item, but it’s also security related. 
At all of our schools and on our buses we have security cameras. The video captured needs to be stored for a certain amount of time. “Our ability to do that relies on how much storage capacity we have in our data center,” said Christianson. “We actually have a petabyte at this point.” A petabyte is one million gigabytes. “It’s a lot, and that is expensive.”
Like the iPads, those servers also need to be replaced every three to four years. “We budget for that out of the levy,” said Christianson. That’s not cheap, and while he said they look for the best deal, often cheap doesn’t mean reliable. “We don’t want it to fail,” he said.
Those data storage centers also get very warm and need to be kept cool. That means chillers and air conditioning systems. “Those need to be purchased, they need to be serviced, and then over the course of a decade, replaced,” said Christianson.
That’s all thanks to the Technology Capital Levy, which will be on the ballot alongside our Educational Programs and Operations Levy on February 10, 2026. Both levies are at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022.
For the Tech Levy, that means it will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. 
You can learn more about both levies at bethelsd.org/levy 

With 21,000 students in 202 square miles of unincorporated Pierce County, making sure kids get the best education they deserve is a big job.
Fun Facts:
202 square miles is bigger than Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue combined.
21,000 is the capacity of the Tacoma Dome.
To make sure the job is done right, more than 3,000 adults show up to work in Bethel every day. These are teachers, coaches, and support staff. It’s a well known fact that state funding in Washington is based on an outdated funding formula. In fact, all districts in Washington need to employ more teachers and staff than the formula pays for, which is why we use local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers.
Here in Bethel that “appropriate number” is 400 more people than the state funding allows. 
These are people working in positions like teachers, coaches, paraeducators, counselors, social workers, School Resource Officers, campus safety officers, custodians, bus drivers, and nurses – just to name a few. 
Superintendent Brian Lowney said that’s why our two replacement levies are considered essential funding here in Bethel.
“Our number of staff would not be 3,000 plus without the support of our Educational Programs and Operations Levy and our Tech Levy,” he said. “Some of these positions it’s funding fully, because they’re not funded at all [by the state]. Many of them are just underfunded. So when we say it’s over 400 positions, it’s well over 400 positions – if you take into account that it really supports every one of the coaches we have in any athletic endeavor, that’s hundreds of people in and of itself. Those just aren’t full time positions.” 
Athletics are huge here in Bethel, with over 5,000 middle and high school students participating each year. We also have Bethel Rec, another levy-funded program that annually provides extracurricular sports for more than 6,000 elementary students. 
The EP&O Levy also funds arts, orchestra, band, and choir programs, as well as supplementing funds for special education, multilingual, and early learning programs, JROTC, Highly Capable programs, and community resources that support students who are in need or experiencing homelessness. It also pays for after-school activity buses.
“The state would say that none of those are ‘basic education’,” said Lowney. “I tell you that every one of our kids deserve those as ‘basic education.’”
That’s why the levies are important funding here in Bethel, so students are supported and have opportunities in a corner of the county that doesn’t have many resources. 
“That’s what our kids deserve,” said Lowney.
Levies are becoming increasingly important in Washington state. Lowney said, “If you took the whole state budget as a pie, the portion of that pie that schools get has actually decreased over the last five years.” 
Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. From 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%. 
To “fix” this problem, the state is increasing the amount of money that school districts can ask for in their levies. In planning for our two levy renewals, Lowney and our School Board decided that just because we could ask for more, didn’t mean that we should.
“We’re not asking the community for the limit of what we could ask them for,” said Lowney. “We’re asking for what we need. And we’re asking for exactly the same rate that they approved in the 2022 election.”
Both of our replacement levies will be on the ballot for the February 10, 2026 Special Election. 
The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“Even our closest neighbors are suggesting and are running their levies at a higher rate than we’re asking our taxpayers for,” Lowney said. “One of the things we want to do is have consistent tax rates for our voters.”
Learn more about our two replacement levies at bethelsd.org/levy.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are very grateful for our communities' support over the years of our Educational Programs & Operations Levy and Technology Capital Levy.
Levies are increasingly important in Washington state. Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. In 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%. 
At this week's School Board meeting, Superintendent Brian Lowney talked about how the state is “fixing the problem” by increasing the amount of money that school districts can ask for in their levies. “That’s in lieu of providing the money to us from the state,” he said. “In fact if you took the whole state budget as a pie, that portion of that pie that schools get has actually decreased over the last five years.” 
That pie is why levies are essential funding for school districts. In planning for our two levy renewals, Lowney and our School Board decided that just because we could ask for more, didn’t mean that we should.
“We’re not asking the community for the limit of what we could ask them for,” said Lowney. “We’re asking for what we need. And we’re asking for exactly the same rate that they approved in the 2022 election.”
Both of our replacement levies will be on the ballot for the February 10, 2026 Special Election. 
The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“Even our closest neighbors are suggesting and are running their levies at a higher rate than we’re asking our taxpayers for,” Lowney said. “One of the things we want to do is have consistent tax rates for our voters.”
As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, and someone passes the pie, know that you’re part of a district that is thankful for a community that has continually supported our schools over the years.
You can watch Superintendent Lowney’s full levy presentation to the School Board here, and you can learn more about our two replacement levies at bethelsd.org/levy.

In today's digital world, information travels faster than a kindergartener running to recess. Unfortunately, not all of the information you find online is accurate. Social media can be great for sharing photos, but it's not the best place to get accurate information.
So when you need reliable, up-to-date information about the Bethel School District or any of our schools, there's one golden rule: go straight to the source.
Official WebsitesOur official district website at bethelsd.org is your home base for everything you need to know. Think of it as your educational headquarters, where all the important stuff lives, from school calendars and lunch menus to board meeting minutes and construction updates.
Also on the district website are links to each of our official school websites where you can find your school's bell schedule, newsletters, and more.
Official Social MediaWhile we may not be posting TikToks of dancing chihuahuas, we do have a few social media accounts you can follow.
facebook.com/BethelSD
youtube.com/BethelSchools
linkedin.com/company/bethel-school-district/
Some of our schools also maintain Facebook accounts, which you can find linked on their websites.
Just remember, we won’t post critical information on social media and hope you find it. If we need to contact you, we will reach out directly via email, text or robocall. Sometimes you’ll get all three! We don’t want you to have to search for information when we can send it directly to you. And that makes this a good point to remind you to keep your contact info updated in ParentVUE!
Contact UsGot a quick question about your child's school? Check in with the school office. The friendly folks behind the desk are information wizards who can help you with everything from attendance questions to volunteer opportunities.
If you want to send an email to your student’s teachers or staff at the school, ParentVUE is the way to go. You can find that link, along with some other great points of contact at bethelsd.org/contact
Other “officials”We can't forget about the Bethel Pride magazine, which is delivered straight to your mailbox six times every year. We recently celebrated five decades of the Bethel Pride, and you’ll find lots of great information in there, including bond project updates, staff andstudent features, and much more!
We also have The Bethel School District Presents podcast, a weekly show that’s been on the air for four years now. On each episode you’ll get to spend time with teachers, students, staff, and community members to get in depth about the important things going on in our district. Check it out at bethelsd.org/podcast or search for it wherever you listen to podcasts.
And finally, you can subscribe to Peachjar, which will get you access to digital fliers from our district, schools, community organizations and more. That link is on your school's website.
The beauty of having so many “official” options is that you can choose how you want to stay connected. The key is picking the methods that work for your lifestyle and then actually using them. Information is only helpful if it reaches you!
Why official sources matterRemember, if it's not coming from one of our official channels, it might be worth double-checking before you share it with others. Together, we can keep our community well-informed and rumor-free!
And if you come across something online that makes you scratch your head and wonder, "Is this really true?" don't let it keep you up at night. Drop us a line at communications@bethelsd.org and we'll help you separate fact from fiction. We're happy to be your mythbusters!

Every song, brushstroke, and dramatic performance produced in our classrooms is a testament to what’s possible when communities invest in the arts.
Across the district, the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy helps keep that creativity alive. The levy supports teachers, materials, and opportunities that make art and music a part of every student’s education. 
“The levy is the backbone supporting these programs,” said Mike Saccomanno, our Director of Teaching & Learning for Arts & Curriculum Integration. “And these programs aren’t extra. They’re really what makes a full, rich, well-rounded education.”
In Bethel, every student takes music and art. From kindergarten classrooms filled with watercolor palettes to high school stages alive with performance, the arts help students connect, collaborate, and express themselves in ways that reach far beyond a grade or report card.
“The research is pretty clear about the multitude of benefits students receive through participation in these music and arts programs,” Saccomanno said.
He says one of the most powerful parts of arts education is the way it creates connection. 
“That sense of belonging we’re all striving for with all of our social-emotional programs is really embodied in music education,” he said. “There’s a term in music education you hear a lot – it’s called ensemble. It’s bringing a group of people together – unique voices, unique talents – and together creating something they can’t create alone.”
That sense of unity strengthens academics, too. Students who study the arts often perform better in other subjects because creativity and critical thinking overlap. 
“Music is a math,” Saccomanno explained. “You look at a time signature and it’s just a fraction, rhythms are just subdivisions of a beat, looking at a musical score is equivalent to looking at a scientific graph or data, a lot of the singing is in different languages.”
For many students, those skills lead to college scholarships or future careers in creative fields. For others, the arts simply spark a lifelong appreciation for expression and teamwork.
Each year, our schools host concerts, exhibitions, and festivals that showcase student talent and welcome families and neighbors to share in the celebration. 
“Our schools are just alive with these programs throughout the year and they’re open to the community,” Saccomanno said. “That’s what we do – we create art to share with others.”

Our Technology Capital Levy is a huge factor in the ongoing success of the Bethel Virtual Academy. Thank you, voters!
The skills students build at Bethel Virtual Academy go far beyond academics. Students are learning lessons that will last a lifetime, like how to manage their time, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their education.
BVA is Bethel's very own K-12 online program, offering a unique path for students who thrive in independent learning environments. Taught entirely by Bethel teachers, BVA is tuition-free and open to all families. 
School schedules are adaptable, allowing students to balance their education with sports, jobs, travel, or health needs. Some attend BVA full time, while others split their days between online and in-person classes at their neighborhood schools. 
“We have kids who are part time with us and kids who are full time with us, and it really sets them up for success with any of our secondary schools,” said math teacher Megan Buchanan.
Buchanan describes BVA as a place built for students who don’t necessarily fit a more traditional school model.
“We are not a one-size-fits all education anymore, so BVA brings those opportunities in for students to be able to have the ability to adapt their education to their learning,” she said.
BVA works to build strong relationships with students and families. Staff members work alongside them to foster self-directed learning, create individualized learning plans, and help students advocate for themselves. That commitment to personal connection and flexibility defines the school’s culture and helps students discover how they learn best.
Buchanan said some of her favorite students are the ones who challenge her most. 
“I love the tough kids,” she said.  They make you challenge yourself as a teacher. And that’s kind of what BVA was built for.”
BVA students benefit from a range of supports and opportunities, including an advisory program that starts in sixth grade and continues through graduation. The school also offers a Technology Bootcamp for new students and courses in Digital Wellness, designed to help students manage screen time and maintain balance in their lives.
Despite being virtual, community is a big part of the BVA experience. Students can join clubs, participate in sports and music programs, and stay connected to their peers across the district.

The School Board recently held a Study Session to review recommendations for next year’s replacement levies.
Both the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Technology Capital Levy will be up for renewal in 2026, pending Board approval. 
Superintendent Brian Lowney said these would be true replacement levies. That means, they will both be at the same tax rate voters approved last time.
The EP&O Levy rate is $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The Technology Capital Levy is $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Even though the district could collect up to $2.50 per $1,000, Lowney said keeping tax rates consistent for our community was a priority.
“We know what our district needs and we’re not asking for more than we need,” said Lowney. “Times are hard for folks. We understand that.”
Both levies are critical funding for our district and fund hundreds of salaries for positions that the state underfunds, or doesn’t pay for at all. The EP&O also funds activities, athletics and the arts. 
Lowney said those three things can be the reason some kids decide to show up to school each day.
“I believe that kids that have a strong connection to their school is the number one indicator about whether kids are successful or not,” he said.
Whether that reason is a classroom teacher, football practice, the school play, or an afterschool program, the levy supports all of them.
The Board will meet again in November to officially consider putting the recommendations on the ballot. If approved, Election Day would be February 10, 2026.
Keep up with the latest at bethelsd.org/levy

Bethel’s Title VI Native American Education Program serves hundreds of students from more than 100 tribal nations across the country. Covering 202 square miles of land once shared by the Puyallup, Steilacoom, and Nisqually tribes, the district remains committed to honoring Indigenous heritage and creating spaces of belonging for every student.

The following projects were funded by the 2019 School Construction Bond and are now complete. Combined, they’ve added 181 classrooms (new and renovated) to our district! When the New Bethel High School and New Cedarcrest Middle School are complete, that will add another 107 classrooms!
Executive Director of Operations Paul Marquardt emphasized the district’s commitment to completing the projects on time and within the overall bond budget. “This is a huge celebration,” he said. “The massive inflation we’ve had, the massive set backs and supply chain issues that we had — for our overall bond plan to be on schedule, on target, is huge.”