Seattle Voters to Decide on Renewal of Education Levies
Summary : Proposition 2 includes the BEX VI Capital Levy, which funds 90% of the district’s technology.
Seattle Voters to Decide on Renewal of Education Levies
Seattle voters will have the chance to weigh in on two levy renewals for Seattle Public Schools (SPS) in the February 11 election. These levies are not new taxes but renew existing funding, supporting the needs of Seattle students and schools. Together, they help bridge the gap between what the state provides and what students need.
“These levies renew current funding and reflect our commitment to meeting the needs of every student,” said Superintendent Brent Jones. “This funding helps ensure our schools can provide safe learning environments and the resources students rely on every day.”
Proposition 1: Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy
The first levy on the ballot, Proposition 1, is the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. This funding accounts for more than 15% of the district’s annual budget, providing critical support for day-to-day operations. This includes resources for special education, transportation, student safety, and wellness programs.
The levy also supports multilingual services and student opportunities such as athletics, arts, music, and drama—programs that enrich student learning and foster well-rounded education.
State funding doesn’t cover all our school security needs? The state provides funding for 9.3 security specialists, but SPS has 73 on staff. The levy makes up the difference.
Learn more about the EP&O Levy RenewalProposition 2: Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Capital Levy
The second levy, Proposition 2, is the Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Capital Levy. The Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Capital Levy provides funding to keep school facilities safe and healthy for students and staff. This includes replacing aging school buildings, improving earthquake safety, and repairing roofs, windows, and heating and ventilation systems. The levy also provides more than $300 million for secure entrances, upgrades to meet accessibility standards, playground safety improvements, and creating spaces that are welcoming and functional for all students.
Additionally, the capital levy provides 90% of the district’s technology funding, including computers for students and staff, cybersecurity, and digital tools that support classroom learning.
The state provides limited funding for technology. Previous capital levies have allowed us to provide laptops and tablets for every student and teacher. This levy helps ensure that those devices are kept in good repair, updated, and replaced on a reasonable schedule — and makes sure we have the technology staff to manage the process.
Learn more about the BEX VI Capital Levy RenewalThe levy includes funding for major improvements at four schools:
- Aki Kurose Middle School
- Lowell Elementary
- Chief Sealth International High School
- John Marshall School
Additionally, one aging elementary school will be fully replaced on its current site to better meet student needs.
The district’s Well-Resourced Schools initiative was underway during levy planning. When the School Board approved the BEX VI capital levy package for the ballot, it wasn’t clear which schools would remain open once a School Board decision was made. The decision to not close any schools in the 2025-26 school year was made after the levy proposal was approved for the ballot, which is why the levy does not name the specific school for replacement.
There are a number of aging elementary schools in northeast Seattle. If the levy is approved, SPS will undergo a review of those schools and make a recommendation to the School Board. The design work would begin in 2027, and construction would begin in 2029.
SPS designs schools for long-term use, aiming for facilities that can serve the community for 100 years. The 2018 Facilities Master Plan Task Force recommended eliminating portables and ensuring buildings can adapt to changing enrollment needs.
The levies also address ongoing gaps in state funding. For example, while Seattle Public Schools spends $224 million annually on special education, state contributions cover only $150 million, leaving a $74 million shortfall – covered by the EP&O levy. Similarly, of the 73 security specialists employed by the district, the state funds fewer than 10 positions, with the levies funding the remainder. The state provides zero funding for athletics, and the levy funds $5.5 million a year.
If both levies are approved, the estimated cost would be $2.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value. All funds from these levies stay within SPS to directly fund our schools. Ballots have been mailed to voters and must be returned by 8 p.m. on Feb. 11.