Levies Updates

Seattle Public Schools is hosting community meetings in September to share information about our upcoming Operations Levy and our Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, both to be submitted to Seattle voters in February 2019.

Currently, an evaluation and selection process is underway to determine what construction and facilities projects should be recommended to the School Board for inclusion in BEX V. This summer, the Facilities Master Plan Task Force convened to support the School Board’s oversight of capital planning by reviewing elements of the district’s Facilities Master Plan update.

When school lets out for summer, work ramps up for projects funded through voter approved capital levies. While school construction and addition projects take multiple years, smaller projects are completed over the summer months to avoid disrupting teaching and learning activities.

In April, five regional community meetings were held to share the planning process for the Operations Levy and the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy. District staff members shared information about the district's budget and funding and the BEX V planning process.

At the May 9, 2018, School Board meeting, the School Board Directors adopted guiding principles for the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy. These principles provide direction as staff continues work to develop a list of recommendations on what should be included in BEX V, which is a replacement for the BEX IV Capital Levy expiring in 2019.

With Loyal Heights Elementary nearing completion for opening in September 2018, nearly all of the 17 major construction projects included in the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy have been opened and welcomed students and staff.

Planning is underway for two school funding levies to be submitted to Seattle voters in February 2019 and Seattle Public Schools requests input and feedback on possible projects.

Students at McGilvra Elementary have a front row view of the construction of their new lunchroom and cafeteria. Earlier this month, Integrus Architects visited with second-graders to share what goes into planning and construction of projects such as this one, funded by the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy.

Enrollment in Seattle Public Schools has grown by 8,000 students in the past 10 years, creating a need to add more classroom space and related facilities. The district uses funds from voter-approved capital levies (taxes on local homeowners) to pay for new schools and to modernize and expand existing schools. Read a progress update about several ongoing projects at Seattle Public Schools.

Thank you to Seattle voters, families, PTSAs and staff for your support.

"On behalf of the 52,000 students served by Seattle Public Schools, I want to express my immense gratitude. We need the support and collaboration of our entire community to reach the goal we have for our students – that they graduate from high school prepared for college, careers and life. The consistent strong approval for Seattle levies is just one of the many ways in which our community shows that support." Dr. Larry Nyland