February 3, 2004
Levies
Thank you Seattle! On
February 3 you demonstrated your overwhelming commitment to the
children of our city and to public education.
Unofficial
returns showed the District's
Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) winning
support from 78 percent of voters, and the
Capital levy garnering support from 74 percent of voters. On
behalf of the 47,000 students served by Seattle Public Schools, I
want to express my deepest gratitude for your support. Your
decision helps ensure a brighter tomorrow - for our children, for
our schools, and for our city.
I
want to extend a special thank you to Schools First! and the
incredible corps of volunteers who tirelessly worked to ensure
passage of the levies - and success for Seattle's
students.
The
entire copy of a Press
Release issued today is available on this Web site.
Sincerely,
Raj
Manhas, Superintendent
Levy
Information
Two levies, a $338 million operating levy and a $178 million
capital levy, both renewals of existing levies, were approved by
voters on February 3, 2004.
- Both measures renew
existing levies, are part of the District's 10-year levy plan
and will result in tax rates at or below current
levels.
- The
Educational Programs & Operations Levy, which
accounts for 23 percent of the District's annual operating
budget, supports educational services not fully funded by the
state. Every dollar raised through this levy pays for programs and
services that support student learning and promote academic
achievement.
- The
capital levy is part of the District's long-range plan to
upgrade and renovate aging school facilities on a planned and
predictable timetable. It pays for nearly 700 projects,
improving every school in the District.
Information
Brochure
A brochure
that provides details of both levies approved on February 3, 2004
is available on this Web site in pdf format. The brochure
includes:
- EP&O Levy - how
the District is funded, what the levy pays for
- Capital Levy -
detailed information on each component (Buildings, Technology and
Academics), including a list of schools that will benefit from each
program element
- Information about levy
rates
Other Capital
Levies
Seattle Public Schools has a history of completing capital levy
programs on time and on budget. The District is currently
implementing two capital levies.
The
six-year Buildings, Technology, and Athletic Fields Levy (BTAI),
approved by voters in 1998, provided for 465 upgrades and renewals
at every school across the District. The majority of projects have
been completed, the remainder will be finished by the time the levy
expires in 2004. The proposed 2004 capital levy will renew the BTA
I levy.
Work
on Building Excellence II, approved by voters in 2001, is well
underway. This six-year levy provides for new construction,
renovation or additions at 17 school buildings. Work on The Center
School and Ingraham High School is complete. Projects are currently
underway at Brighton, Graham Hill and Madison.
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