A message from the Superintendent

Jan. 18, 2013

Good afternoon,

Linked below is a copy of Seattle Public Schools’ Levies Information brochure. This brochure explains the two Seattle Public Schools levies on the Feb.12, 2013 special election ballot.
 
An electronic copy is posted online at http://bit.ly/LeviesInformation2013.

I’d like to call out some key points in this brochure:

• Proposition 1 requests renewal of the Operations Levy. This levy provides more than 25 percent of the Seattle Public Schools General Fund operating revenue. We are committed to helping every child succeed. Operations Levy funds pay for important day-to-day expenses not currently funded by the state.

• Proposition 2 requests renewal of the Building Excellence (BEX) Capital Levy. These Capital funds collected over the next six years will be used to maintain and improve our aging existing schools, to provide earthquake safety upgrades, and to build or renovate schools in growing communities.

This is the fourth BEX Capital Levy to go to Seattle voters. Nearly 40 schools have received major improvements, remodels or replacements through previous BEX Capital Levies. The expiring BEX III Capital Levy funded replacement or renovation of seven schools, and each of these projects was completed on time and within budget.

The renewal of the BEX Capital Levy will continue our work to provide students with safe, quality schools. It will allow us to replace or modernize old, worn-out buildings and reduce the backlog of major maintenance needs.

With the enrollment increases Seattle Public Schools has experienced in recent years as well as those expected in the foreseeable future, demand for public education in Seattle is exceeding our capacity and causing crowding at our schools. Just this year alone, we welcomed more than 1,400 new students resulting in a need for more student seats and the facilities to accommodate them.
 
It’s important to note that neither of these levies is a new tax. They are replacements of expiring levies and the total additional cost from both levies is just under $13 per month for the owner of an average $400,000 home in Seattle.

Additional electronic or print copies of the Levies Information brochure are available by emailing publicaffairs@seattleschools.org.
 
Thank you for your continued support of Seattle Public Schools.

Sincerely,



José Banda
Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools

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