Council school levy committee debates amendments to 1.3 billion renewal proposal

The Seattle City Council's school levy committee is deliberating a $1. 3 billion renewal proposal for the Families and Education Levy, slated for the fall ballot. One contentious aspect of the proposal is the allocation of $235 million for school safety, which includes discussions about reinstating police officers on school campuses. Public comments will be solicited during the committee's meeting on Thursday morning. The original levy, passed in 1990, was $69.

2 million and has expanded over the years, with a $619 million update approved in 2018. Mayor Bruce Harrell outlines that the renewed levy would significantly enhance childcare resources and youth mental health services, including a substantial increase in affordable childcare slots. The proposal also features free tuition for Seattle public school graduates at local colleges. Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck has proposed amendments to promote equitable access to services for underserved communities and ensure investments prioritize nonpunitive safety measures. The committee is weighing various amendments to the proposal, which could impact the final legislation.