Two Seattle Education Levies for Buildings, Programs, Staff on February Ballot

Seattle Public Schools is requesting taxpayer support through two critical education levies on the February 2025 ballot, addressing significant funding shortfalls in the district. Proposition 1, known as the Educational Programs and Operations Levy, seeks to cover essential services not funded by state allocations, including special education, transportation, and extracurricular activities. Parents have voiced their concerns about equity, emphasizing that without these levies, many programs would be at risk. On the other hand, Proposition 2, the Building Excellence VI Levy, aims to renew funding for new buildings, repairs, and technology support, which is crucial for the district's infrastructure. Officials point out that if these levies do not pass, there will be a loss of 120 technology staff members across the 106 schools, which could severely impact operations.

While these levies are necessary, they cannot solve the district’s larger budget crisis, which exceeds $90 million. Property owners could expect to pay an estimated rate of $2. 12 per $1,000 of assessed property value if both levies pass. The election will take place on February 11, 2025, highlighting the urgency for community involvement in educational funding.