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2024 Capital Improvements and Safety Levy

The Capital Improvements and Safety Levy funds facility needs not funded by the state, helping to ensure that our learning environments are healthy and safe. The projects were identified as short-term priorities by the Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee in 2023. This levy was approved by voters in 2024 for collections in 2025-2028. 

The image presents information about capital improvements and safety levy progress, including details on completed milestones, upcoming projects, and ongoing focus areas for a school district.

Capital Improvements Updates

Superintendent explaining blueprints to students
Reimagining the LMS cafeteria with leadership students

“Tell me more about that.” This simple invitation from Superintendent Dr. Erin Murphy sparked a thoughtful conversation with students at Lakewood Middle School about their soon-to-be-remodeled cafeteria.

The upcoming remodel will allow the school to move from three lunch periods to two. This shift will not only create a more efficient serving space and increase seating capacity, but also open opportunities for the cafeteria to serve multiple purposes during the school day.

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Two men in a cherry picker work on a street light against a pale sky.
Celebrating Earth Day while sustaining a year-round commitment to sustainability

Sustainability continues to be a priority across Lakewood School District. Recently, our Facilities team replaced a conventional parking lot lightbulb at English Crossing Elementary with an energy-efficient LED. As lighting needs are updated across the district, LEDs are now the standard—helping reduce energy use and lower electricity costs.

Earlier this school year, Snohomish PUD also visited Lakewood to highlight our efforts. With continued progress, Lakewood High School is on track to meet Washington’s Clean Buildings requirements ahead of the 2027 deadline.

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LES boiiler
District awarded urgent repair grant to replace aging LES boiler

Lakewood School District has been awarded a $600,000 urgent repair grant from OSPI. This grant will fund the replacement of the school’s outdated boiler to improve safety, reliability, and comfort for students and staff.

The current boiler has served the school well beyond its intended lifespan and has required increasing levels of maintenance and repairs, often with parts difficult to obtain. The new boiler system will provide more reliable performance, improve energy efficiency, and reduce the long-term operational costs associated with maintaining an aging system.

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fence at CCE
Levy Update: New security fencing installed at CCE

Cougar Creek Elementary has a new layer of safety in place. Crews recently completed the installation of updated security fencing around the school’s play field, playground, and key campus perimeter areas. These improvements are designed to create a safer, more secure environment for our students while keeping our school grounds welcoming and accessible to our community outside of school hours.

This project was made possible through the voter‑approved Capital Improvements and Safety Levy (2025-2028). Your support ensures that we can invest in critical safety upgrades and facility improvements at all of our schools.

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ladder in front of fire alarm control panel
Safety Upgrade at LMS: New Fire Control System

Lakewood Middle School recently received a major safety upgrade with the installation of new fire alarm control panels.

The previous fire control system had reached the end of its service life and no longer met current safety standards. The new system includes advanced smoke and heat detection, integrated alarm and communication systems, and centralized monitoring—ensuring faster, more reliable emergency response.

Read More about Safety Upgrade at LMS: New Fire Control System

Tentative schedule of improvements

At its July 17, 2024 study session, the Lakewood Board of Directors reviewed a list of priorities for the Capital Improvements and Safety Levy. The list is based on the work of the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee, which met in 2023. 

The tentative schedule includes: 

2024-25

  • SAFETY: Fencing to improve security during school hours
  • ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Replace aging LES boiler and HVAC system
  • SAFETY: Replace obsolete LMS bell system, master clock and intercom system
  • SAFETY: Replace LMS fire alarm system 
  • ADA/SAFETY: Upgraded door hardware to improve security of LMS and LES exterior doors
  • SAFETY: Upgrades to LES and CCE playgrounds 
  • EFFICIENCY: LMS energy-efficient lighting and controls (*grant/levy funded)
  • EFFICIENCY: LHS recommissioning of lighting control system (*grant funded)
  • EFFICIENCY: LHS stadium lighting replacement (*grant funded)

2025-26

  • SAFETY: Secure exterior doors at LES and ECE
  • SAFETY: Update ECE fire alarm control panels and building communications system 
  • PRESERVATION: Replace aging LMS roof
  • ACCOMMODATE GROWTH: Reconfigure LMS cafeteria

2026-27

  • SAFETY: Secure exterior doors at LMS
  • PRESERVATION: Update electrical equipment at LES, LMS
  • EFFICIENCY: Lighting and electrical fixture updates at LES, ECE, CCE 

2027-2028

  • SAFETY: Secure exterior doors at CCE
  • PRESERVATION: Update hot water and heat pumps at ECE

Additional Improvements

  • Improve ADA accessibility
  • Improve signage and wayfinding
  • Clean school exteriors