2022 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.
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.
Cost of BTA V
BTA V will raise $783 million over six years — 2023-2028. Property owners will continue to pay for a BTA capital levy when the BTA IV levy expires in 2022. The replacement rate is estimated to be 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rate approved by voters in 2016 was 43 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. More information on this funding amount can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.
BTA V Projects
Full list of projects by location
Use the tabs below to see levy projects by school.
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
Commons Questions and Answers about BTA V