Levies Updates

This fall, students will fill the halls of Lincoln High School for the first time since the school closed in 1981. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2019, to celebrate completion of the project to modernize the historic building and bring it back into service as a new comprehensive high school.

Each year, the Capital Projects and Planning team spends the winter and spring months planning projects and hiring contractors so work can begin on schools as soon as summer break begins. This work is funded through voter-approved capital levies. It takes place over the summer months in order to provide the least impact on student learning. This year, 13 projects are scheduled at 12 schools.

Construction work funded by voter-approved capital levies continues at Queen Anne Elementary, Lincoln High School, Ingraham High School, and Magnolia Elementary.

On the first day of school in September, Magnolia Elementary opens as a new attendance area elementary school. Students, teachers, and staff will fill the halls for the first time since 2006. A ribbon-cutting event, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, will celebrate completion of the project to modernize the historic building and construct two additions.

Projects funded by the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) and the Buildings, Technology, and Academics IV (BTA IV) capital levies continue. The BEX/BTA Oversight Committee receives monthly updates on project progress. Currently, construction continues at Lincoln High School, Queen Anne Elementary, Ingraham High School, and Magnolia Elementary. Construction is expected to start within the next few months at Bagley Elementary, Wing Luke Elementary and Webster School.

When Daniel Bagley Elementary (Bagley) dismisses for the summer, students, teachers, and staff will say goodbye to the school for a year. They will be moving to an interim location at John Marshall School while Bagley is under construction. The Bagley community will be welcomed home in September 2020.

Between June 2019 and August 2020, the school will be renovated and expanded. A two-story classroom wing addition will add eight new classrooms, and a new gymnasium addition will be more than double the size of the existing gym.

Before students return to school in September, ribbon-cutting ceremonies will mark the completion of four capital-levy funded projects. Magnolia Elementary School and Lincoln High School will open as new schools in modernized buildings. At Ingraham High School and Queen Anne Elementary School, classroom additions will provide new spaces for students, teachers and staff.

Thanks to Seattle voters, the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy appears to be passing. (The final results will be certified on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019.) This means that the projects included in the BEX V Capital Levy will begin moving ahead.

Thank you to Seattle voters for approving the Educational Programs and Operations levy and Building Excellence Capital V levy!

The upcoming school levy renewals are critical to supporting the school district’s day-to-day operations and building needs, including the rebuilding of eight schools, safety improvements at all schools, removing portables, and adding new technology to classrooms. These levies directly support students’ high-quality public education.

On February 12, Seattle voters will consider Prop. 1 and Prop. 2, two expiring levies—the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy and the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital levy.

The Feb. 12, 2019 ballot includes the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy. This levy includes significant funding for technology equipment, staffing, and services. We know that access to technology and digital resources can play a pivotal role in enabling students to learn and have skills to be college and career ready.

Two critical school levies will be on the February 12, 2019 ballot, the Educational Programs and Operations (EP & O) levy and the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy.

Seattle Public Schools has a long history of support from the community to help fund our schools with operational and capital levies. Read our report to community and learn more.

There have been recent changes in how schools are funded in Washington state. While new state funding addresses some critical longtime funding needs, not all state dollars collected from Seattle homeowners will stay in our district.

School districts are funded through state, local and federal dollars. But there’s currently a gap between what the state funds for K-12 education and what Seattle students need. So, every three years, the district asks voters to consider renewing the operations levy. In addition, school construction is primarily funded by local voter-approved capital levies.

The School Board approved the district levy renewal that will be voted on by Seattle voters on Feb. 2019. See the project list and learn more about the school levies.

School construction, modernization and addition projects typically span two or more years, but each capital levy includes school building systems repairs and replacements that take a lot less time. These projects are generally completed during summer months, when school isn’t in session. Summer 2018 was no exception.

Ribbon-cutting events were held on September 4 to mark completion of two projects that renovated schools and expanded elementary capacity. Roxhill Elementary celebrated the move to their new home in the modernized E.C. Hughes building in West Seattle. In Ballard, Loyal Heights happily moved back to their school after it underwent modernization and construction of an addition. Both projects are funded by voter-approved capital levies.