What is VIS?

Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) was formed in 1977. It is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization that works to promote the passage of Issaquah School District bonds and levies. School districts are prohibited by law from actively promoting the passage of bonds and levies.

Financial resources of school districts can only be used to provide information and facts related to the ballot measures.

VIS campaigns in Issaquah to pass our bonds and levies. Under Washington State law, bonds require a super majority vote (60% + 1) and levies a simple majority vote (50% + 1) to pass.

We are run entirely by community volunteers.

Why Do We Exist?

It is costly for a school district to place a bond or levy issue on a ballot and those costs are paid by general funds. So it is important to get information out to voters and successfully pass bonds and levies when they are placed. Responsibly, financial resources of school districts can only be used to place the ballot issue and to provide information and facts related to the ballot measures only.  School districts are prohibited by law from using school resources to actively promote the passage of bonds and levies.

It is our organization’s sole purpose to actively promote and campaign for the passage of Issaquah School District Bonds and Levies.

How important are Bonds & Levies to the Issaquah School District?

• Levies fund a variety of enrichment programs.
• Provides for all technology infrastructure, including hardware, software and technology, and professional development.
• Capital funds provide excellent learning environment and help ensure that space is adequate for reasonable class sizes.

What are School Levies used for?

• Educational Programs and Operations Levies provide a portion of the Issaquah School District’s operating budget. These levy dollars flow directly into the classroom, providing funding for program enhancements and to supplement the state’s basic education allocation.
• Transportation levies replace old buses with new more efficient models that align with the state’s safety standards and replacement cycle. Fuel savings and lower maintenance costs mean more dollars go into the classroom.
• Technology and Critical Repairs levies provide for all technology infrastructure, including hardware, software and technology.

What is a School Bond used for?

• School bonds provide funding for construction -- building new schools, acquiring property, renovating and repairing facilities and systems within buildings. Capital funds provide for excellent learning environments and help ensure that space is adequate for reasonable class sizes. Our 2016 school bond passed with over 70% approval rating. The passage of levies is totally independent from School Bonds.

What are contributions to VIS used for?

• Bond and levy campaigns for schools are costly. Most campaign costs are related to delivering information about the ballot proposals and to increase overall voter turnout.
• Costs including printing/postage for campaign literature, newspaper advertisements, yard signs, marketing materials to reach and educate voters.
• Bond & levy campaigns that are successful are supported financially by community members who understand the vital role of quality public education for the overall well-being of the community.
• All donations and expenditures are reported to the Public Disclosure Commission in Olympia. Records are available for inspection upon request.

What can you do to help?

• Be an advocate for public education within the Issaquah Schools community. In addition to making financial contributions, opportunities exist for volunteers to help with campaign strategy, mailings, yard signs and honk & waves.
• Our PTAs have historically been strong supporters of bond and levy ballot measures. We are grateful to have such strong support from our PTAs/PTSAs in Issaquah as we work with our community to promote a Yes Vote for our schools and maintain high quality education as a priority in our community. Thank you!

Questions or need more information?

Dawn Peschek at dawn@visvote.org  OR Alicia Veevaert at alicia@visvote.org