The Seattle Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee voted on Jan. 22 to endorse the Schools First Campaign: Seattle Public School’s Capital and Operations levies ahead of the Feb. 11 Seattle Special Election.  

Local school districts are funded through a combination of investments from the local, state and federal governments. However, historic underfunding at the state and federal levels have left a significant gap in both district operations and maintenance costs, making school districts more dependent on their local communities to supplement funding for the categories covered by the  operational levy.  

For example: Although many parents expect their neighborhood schools to have ample resources for athletics and student safety, Seattle Public Schools receive zero funds from the state for athletics, and only enough funding for about 13% of the district’s security specialist salaries. Neither of these levies will be used to plug Seattle Public Schools’ projected deficit, $30 million to $60 million, for the 2025-26 school year.  

Voting yes invests in three areas:  

  • Student safety and support: Funds salaries for staff including school security, special education, and multilingual support.  
  • Student services and programs: Ensures continued funding for special education, healthy student meals, and student transportation.  
  • Student opportunities: Supports student activities such as athletics, arts, music, and drama. 

The district is proposing a $747 million, three-year levy to fund these services. If passed by voters, the rate would range between 78 and 72 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value over the next three years.  

The state also does not fully fund the physical maintenance of the nearly 100 schools in the district. The capital levy fills the gap by funding student safety and security, heating and ventilation, energy conservation, renovations, repairs, and building replacements and preservation.   

The capital levy proposal includes a list of project recommendations, including additions and renovations at Lowell Elementary School and Aki Kurose Middle School, an interim site renovation at Josh Marshall School, and replacement of a northeast region elementary school to be determined by the school board. 

The capital levy also constitutes 90% of the district’s technology budget, and funds essential services including cybersecurity, telephone and laptop services, and repairs and logistics. The proposed BEX VI levy renewal would collect $1.8 billion over six years for all capital projects. The rate ranges between 93 and 79 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value over the 6 years of the levy. With local funding, the district can apply for additional state dollars to maximize the number of building maintenance projects completed during the 6-year capital levy period. 

Combined, the two levies would cost the owner of a Seattle home of median value about $200 a year. Education is a top priority for Seattle Metro Chamber members because excellent education is the foundation of an excellent future workforce.