Seattle Schools Education Levies

Why Do School Districts Ask for Local Levy Funding?

School districts rely on voter-approved levies to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what it costs to support our students.

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.

Voter-Approved Education Levies Support Seattle Students

The money we collect from local, voter-approved school levies stays in Seattle. We use these funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect and to ensure our students have safe, welcoming schools that support student success.

Educational Programs and Services Funding

We use these levy funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect. This includes hiring more nurses, custodians, and other staff beyond what the state pays for, and it includes additional funding for services such as special education and child nutrition. Every three years, the district asks voters to approve renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O).

Construction and Technology Funding

Capital levies are the primary funding source for school construction. Technology used by students, teachers, school staff, and administrators, and for district operations is also primarily funded by capital levies. Capital levies are local education property taxes. Every three years, the district asks voters to approve renewal of one of the six-year capital levies.

Planning for the Next Levies

The Seattle School Board is expected to place two renewal levies on the ballot in February 2025. Planning is underway for the Building Excellence VI Capital Levy (BEX VI).

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.