Everett, WA – During tonight’s meeting of the Mukilteo School District Board of Directors, the Board voted unanimously to place a General Obligation Bond (Capital Bonds) and a renewal of the Education Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on the February 10, 2026, ballot.

Board President Judy Schwab said renewal of the district’s EP&O levy would sustain more than 300 teaching positions and support staff for the next four years. “Approval of the renewal levy would allow us to continue programs not fully funded by the state and sustain class sizes in subjects like reading, writing, math, and science,” she said. “It would ensure our students and staff continue to have exceptional teaching and learning environments.”

Approval of the district’s $400 million Capital Bond request would fund dozens of construction projects throughout the district over the next six years. It includes projects to improve student safety and security, replace inefficient building systems, update technology, and modernize decades-old schools.

“School jobs and construction help to sustain our local economy,” said Director John Gahagan. He added that the district would hire local contractors to the greatest extent possible for the bond work.

Passage of the 2026 bond and renewal of the EP&O levy would add about 38 cents for every $1,000 of assessed home value – roughly $5 a week for a home valued at $659,200. $659,200 is the median home price within the district boundaries, according to the Snohomish County Assessor's Office.

Mukilteo School District, like other districts in Washington, relies on local bonds and levies to bridge the gap between state funding and the actual costs of running a school district.
 

More details about the bond and levy can be found at www.Mukilteoschools.org/bondlevy2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2025

Mukilteo School District Educator Named WA Art Teacher of the Year

Everett, WA – Kamiak High School’s Emily Palmiter has been named the 2025 Washington State Art Educator of the Year. Palmiter was honored during a special celebration in Kamiak High School’s commons. The event included remarks from Principal Stephen Shurtleff, staff, and students.

This is the highest honor from the Washington Art Education Association, recognizing educators who go above and beyond in professionalism, advocacy, and support for the arts.

Palmiter has been teaching art for 20 years, beginning at Kamiak as a student teacher in 2005. She says she has always felt at home in the art room, and it shows in how she inspires and supports her students.

“Making art helps students make sense of a confusing and stressful world. It gives them space to decompress and create,” she said. “We teach critical thinking skills, and in this age of AI, art is the one thing that is human.”

Over the years, Palmiter’s students have earned dozens of regional Scholastic Art Awards. Her students have also had their art pieces displayed in the Washington State Capitol and the U.S. Capitol.

As the 2025 Washington State Art Educator of the Year, Palmiter is now eligible for regional and national recognition with the National Art Education Association.

###END###

Good afternoon,

We are happy to be through the shutdown so we can again share newsworthy cases being handled by our office.  Since we were not able to share these during the shutdown, we have compiled group press releases on noteworthy cases with links to the full press releases if you would like to review additional details on any given case.  There are three categories of press releases highlighting a total of 19 separate cases/investigations: (1) Transnational Drug Trafficking and Weapons Offenses; (2) Violent Crime and Child Exploitation cases; and (3) Fraud, Waste and Abuse cases.  Like many federal employees across the Nation, the dedicated public servants at the United States Attorney’s Office continued to work without pay throughout the shutdown to ensure the ongoing protection of the community.  As these cases show, the USAO has continued to obtain excellent results that have kept people safe from drugs and guns, child exploitation, and fraud, among other offenses.  Please feel free to reach out with any questions.  Thank you.