School Levies
Seattle Schools Education Levies
Voter-Approved Education Levies Support Seattle Students
Every three years, Seattle Public Schools asks voters to consider renewing two levies that support our students, staff, and schools. While SPS receives funding, based on enrollment, from state and federal sources, the district also relies on local levies to fund our schools. Levies help bridge the gap between what we need for students, staff, and schools and what we receive from the state.
The February 2025 levies replace current local funding sources and help SPS fund day-to-day operations for our schools and help make sure students have safe and healthy school buildings, including access to technology to meet today’s learning needs.
The money collected from local, voter approved levies stays in our district to support our students. These levies will not resolve the district’s budget shortfall; they renew current funding to maintain essential school operations, provide special education services, support classroom technology, enhance school safety, and fund the renovation and repair of school facilities.
Timeline for the February 2025 Levies
At its regular meeting on November 19, 2024, the School Board will be voting on resolutions that would place two levies on the ballot in February 2025. Both replace levies that expire in 2025.
Community Information Sessions
Join us to hear about the levy recommendations that were presented to the Seattle School Board on Oct. 9, 2024.
After the presentation, we will take as many questions about the levies as possible within the time allotted. We will collect all questions even if we don’t get to them all and use them as part of an FAQ on the website. We will collect comments and share a summary with the School Board.
You can also use our Let’s Talk feedback form for ongoing questions and comments.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Interpretation available: Amharic, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese
- Meeting ID: 233 167 606 942
- Passcode: 7bo7xM
Dial in by phone
- +1 206-800-4125
- Phone conference ID: 827 255 678#
Recent Meetings
Thank you to those who joined us on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 30
- We are building the Frequently Asked Questions from those asked during the meeting and those we’ve received through Let’s Talk.
- Download the presentation
- Watch the video.
After the School Board takes action to place the levies on the ballot, SPS will continue to offer levy information session for families, staff, and the larger community. Information will be posted as meetings are schedule.
Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy
The three-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) would replace the expiring EP&O, which was approved by Seattle voters in 2022.
This levy is placed on the ballot every three years. We use these levy funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect. This includes additional funding for services such as special education and child nutrition.
Building Excellence VI Capital Levy (BEX VI)
The six-year Building Excellence VI Capital Levy (BEX VI) would replace the expiring Building Excellence V Capital Levy (BEX V), which was approved by Seattle voters in 2019.
Capital levies are the primary funding source for school renovations and replacement, and school building improvements. Technology for students, teachers, school staff, and administrators, and for district operations is also primarily funded by capital levies.
Report on Recent Capital Levies
We want you to know how we are delivering on the promises made in each of our recent capital levies. This report covers the building construction and improvement projects completed, in progress, or scheduled through December 2023. These projects were funded by the Building Excellence (BEX) V Capital Levy and the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics (BTA) V Capital Levy.
Recent Voter-Approved Levies
2022
- Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O);
- Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V)
2019
- Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O);
- Building Excellence V Capital Levy (BEX V)
2016:
- Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O);
- Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics IV Capital Levy (BTA IV)
2013:
- Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O);
- Building Excellence IV Capital Levy (BEX IV)
Contact
Questions about the levies? Use our Let’s Talk form.