Seattle Public Schools

School Levies

BTA V Capital Levy

BTA V Capital Levy

Thank you Seattle voters! You approved the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Capital Levy V (BTA V) with nearly 80% voting yes. This capital levy replaces BTA IV, which expires in 2022.

BTA V will raise $783 million over six years — 2023-2028.

Capital levies are the main source of funding to ensure that every student has a safe, welcoming learning environment. School districts receive limited state or federal funding for improvements to school buildings.

Seattle Public Schools relies on voter-approved capital levies to fund school construction and renovations, safety and security upgrades, building systems improvements, and major maintenance.

Capital levies provide most of the funding for important classroom technology and support for student learning, district technology systems, and technology infrastructure. Report on recent levies.

Three Parts to Levy

B stands for Buildings: This portion of the levy includes projects that improve our school buildings. Examples of projects include roof replacements, small renovations, safety improvements and upgrades, heating and ventilation improvements, major maintenance, and critical maintenance.

T stands for Technology: Capital levies provide the primary funding source for making strategic investments in technology for learning and teaching in the classroom; delivering services to students, teachers, staff, and families; and improving efficiency in business processes. Projects and services fall into three major categories: student learning and support, district systems and data, infrastructure, and security

A stands for Academic/Athletics: This portion of the levy pays for modifications needed for academic program changes, playground improvements, athletic field improvements and equipment, and art and science equipment. In addition, SPS owns Memorial Stadium, and the levy includes funding to invest in new grandstands so it can continue to be used for high school athletics, for graduations, and by the community.

BTA V Projects

Full list of projects by location

Use the tabs below to see levy projects by school.

a child's hands are shown typing on a computer keyboard

Technology is an essential tool for learning in today’s schools. SPS is at the forefront of delivering critical technological solutions necessary for Seattle’s quality education. Capital levies provide the primary funding source to ensure technological capabilities are present in support of students, educators, and staff.

Technology funding benefits every SPS school and student. Projects and services fall into three major categories:

Student Learning and Support

  • Purchase of student laptops and tablets to continue the 1:1 assignment of devices
  • Teacher and classroom computers
  • Technical support staff who provide repairs, networking help, and logistics in schools
  • Digital learning support
  • Purchase of instructional software and licenses

District Systems and Data

  • Software and systems development,
  • Business and financial systems to run the district
  • Learning management systems such as Schoology and Seesaw
  • Student information systems such as PowerSchool
  • Hardware and software application licenses
  • Service and support staff for these systems and data sources

Infrastructure and Security

  • Operating costs of running the SPS data center and backbone infrastructure such as networks and cabling
  • Cybersecurity monitoring systems
  • Server software licenses, operations, and equipment maintenance
  • Internet connectivity
  • Telephone service
  • Staff associated with keeping infrastructure and security systems operating

BTA V also includes staff professional development related to technology.

BTA V will fund technology in every elementary school.

  • Technology tools such as computers used for remote and in-classroom instruction
  • Instructional technologies such as presentation stations, projection systems, electronic whiteboards; operational support for student and staff computers and technology equipment
  • Education technology software and services required to support high-quality education for all students at SPS

In addition, school-specific BTA V projects are list below.

Adams

  • Replace fire alarm system

B.F. Day

  • Make heating system improvements
  • Replace fire alarm system

Bagley

  • Replace stormwater collection system and make other site improvements
  • Replace playground and make related improvements

Bailey Gatzert

  • Make heating system improvements
  • Replace fire alarm system

Beacon Hill

  • Make roof improvements

Bryant

  • Make improvements to exterior windows

Dearborn Park International

  • Upgrade water distribution system

Decatur

  • Make improvements to exterior cladding
  • Install new fire suppression system

Emerson

  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety

Gatewood Elementary

  • Make improvements to exterior windows
  • Replace fire alarm system

Graham Hill

  • Make roof improvements

Green Lake

  • Make improvements to exterior doors

Greenwood

  • Make improvements to exterior windows

Highland Park

  • Replace playground and make related improvements

John Hay

  • Replace fire alarm system

John Muir

  • Construct 3-classroom addition for early learning;
  • Replace fire alarm system

John Stanford International

  • Replace fire alarm panel

Lafayette

  • Confirm functionality, repair, and clean storm water collection systems
  • Seal and stripe asphalt areas

Laurelhurst

  • Upgrade fire protection system in school
  • Install fire protection system in gym
  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety
  • Repair and clean storm water collection system
  • Replace existing asphalt area and replace striping

Lawton

  • Make roof improvements
  • Replace fire alarm

Lowell

  • Repave parking lot at north of property
  • Repair perimeter sidewalk
  • Upgrade water distribution system

Madrona

  • Repair perimeter sidewalk

Maple

  • Replace fire alarm
  • Install new fire suppression system
  • Install new grass playfield, asphalt exercise path, amphitheater, and learning garden

McDonald International

  • Replace playground and make related improvements

McGilvra

  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety

Queen Anne

  • Make improvements to exterior windows

Rising Star/AAA

  • Replace playground and make related improvements
  • Make improvements to exterior cladding
  • Make improvements to exterior windows
  • Replace intercom/clock system

Sand Point

  • Make roof improvements
  • Make improvements to exterior windows

Thurgood Marshall

  • Replace fire alarm system

View Ridge

  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety
  • Make improvements to electrical system

Whittier

  • Replace fire alarm system

BTA V will fund technology in every K-8 school.

  • Technology tools such as computers used for remote and in-classroom instruction
  • Instructional technologies such as presentation stations, projection systems, electronic whiteboards; operational support for student and staff computers and technology equipment
  • Education technology software and services required to support high-quality education for all students at SPS

In addition, school-specific BTA V projects are list below.

Broadview-Thomson

  • Replace water line
  • Install new fire suppression system

Cascade Parent Partnership/North Queen Anne

  • Replace playground and make improvements

Catharine Blaine

  • Make roof improvements
  • Make improvements to exterior doors
  • Make electrical system improvements
  • Repave back parking lot
  • Upgrade intrusion detection system

Louisa Boren STEM

  • Make electrical system improvements
  • Replace intercom/clock system

Orca/Whitworth

  • Improve heating system
  • Replace fire alarm system

Pathfinder/Cooper

  • Replace existing fire alarm panel

TOPS/Seward

  • Make roof improvements
  • Upgrade and potentially replace fire suppression system

BTA V will fund technology in every middle school.

  • Technology tools such as computers used for remote and in-classroom instruction
  • Instructional technologies such as presentation stations, projection systems, electronic whiteboards; operational support for student and staff computers and technology equipment
  • Education technology software and services required to support high-quality education for all students at SPS

In addition, school-specific BTA V projects are list below.

Eckstein

  • Make roof improvements
  • Confirm functionality, repair, and clean storm water collection systems
  • Seal and stripe asphalt areas
  • Replace emergency generator
  • Upgrade existing fire suppression system in annex

Jane Addams

  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety

Madison

  • Make improvements to exterior cladding
  • Make improvements to exterior windows

McClure

  • Make seismic improvements for earthquake safety
  • Upgrade and potentially replace fire suppression system

BTA V will fund technology in every high school.

  • Technology tools such as computers used for remote and in-classroom instruction
  • Instructional technologies such as presentation stations, projection systems, electronic whiteboards; operational support for student and staff computers and technology equipment
  • Education technology software and services required to support high-quality education for all students at SPS

In addition, school-specific BTA V projects are list below.

Alan T. Sugiyama

  • Install suitable toddler playground with equipment

Ballard

  • Replace intercom/clock system
  • Apply acrylic coating to tennis courts

Chief Sealth International

  • Replace existing synthetic turf at upper softball field and replace existing field lighting (Nino Cantu SWAC)

Franklin

  • Confirm functionality, repair, and clean storm water collection systems
  • Seal and stripe asphalt areas
  • Gym: Make heating system improvements, replace fire alarm system, improve parking lot south of gym by resurfacing and striping, improving stormwater infiltration, installing new fence and curb bumpers, replacing lighting; add card key access

Ingraham

  • Building 100: Upgrade fire suppression system, make electrical improvements, and upgrade lighting to high-efficiency LED
  • Building 200: Install new fire suppression system, make electrical improvements

Lincoln

  • Develop new athletic field with synthetic turf and track

Rainier Beach

  • Replace existing synthetic turf at auxiliary field and stadium
  • Repave tennis court
  • Install seating and fencing

West Seattle

  • Make improvements to exterior cladding, exterior doors, and exterior windows
  • Install new batting cages at Hiawatha playfield

Interagency/Columbia Building

  • Make improvements to exterior doors

Interagency/Roxhill School

  • Replace existing fire alarm panel
  • Upgrade intrusion detection system

John Marshall Interim Site

  • Exterior window improvements,
  • Fire protection in areas without sprinklers,
  • Heating system improvements

John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

  • Make improvements to exterior cladding
  • Make roof improvements
  • Install humidity-controlled compliant storage HVAC for district archive

Memorial Stadium (common questions are answered on our FAQ page)

  • Invest in new grandstands
  • Upgrade water distribution system
  • Upgrade field lights
  • Replace athletic field synthetic turf

Schmitz Park Interim Site

  • Make improvements to exterior doors
  • Provide new fire suppression system

Van Asselt Interim Site

  • Make heating system improvements in 1950-era building

Miller, Hiawatha, Jefferson Playfields

  • Shared cost of synthetic turf replacement

Resources

Information on Past Capital Levies

Current Levy-Funded Construction