Seattle Schools Education Levies

Voter-Approved Education Levies Support Seattle Students

Every three years, Seattle Public Schools asks voters to consider renewing two levies that support our students, staff, and schools. While SPS receives funding, based on enrollment, from state and federal sources, the district also relies on local levies to fund our schools. Levies help bridge the gap between what we need for students, staff, and schools and what we receive from the state.

The money collected from local, voter approved levies stays in our district to support our students. These levies will not resolve the district’s budget shortfall; they renew current funding to maintain essential school operations, provide special education services, support classroom technology, enhance school safety, and fund the renovation and repair of school facilities.

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Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O)

This levy is placed on the ballot every three years. We use these levy funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect. This includes additional funding for services such as special education and child nutrition.

Capital Levies

Construction and Technology Funding

Voter-approved capital levies are the primary funding source for school construction, modernization, and capital improvements. 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.

Seattle Public Schools alternates between two levies: Building Excellence (BEX) and Buildings, Technology, and Academics (BTA). Both are six-year levies, meaning that tax money is received for six years, even if projects continue.

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Past Voter-Approved Levies