BEX VI Capital Levy
Building Excellence VI Capital Levy
BEX VI Approved by Voters
On Feb. 11, 2025, Seattle voters approved the Building Excellence Capital Levy (BEX VI).
BEX VI Levy Overview
- Levy Amount: $1.8 billion
- Capital Projects Funding: $1,385,022,403
- Technology Funding: $414,977,597
- Estimated Levy Rates: 93 cents to 79 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value
- Levy Collected: 2026-2031
- Replaces: BEX V Capital Levy (expires 2025; 2024 rate $0.78 per $1,000)
While the district currently faces challenges in the annual operating budget, capital levy funds are separate and must be used for the building projects and technology priorities approved in the levy.
If you have questions or comments on the BEX VI Capital Levy or any other capital levy, please use our Let’s Talk online form.
BEX VI Capital Projects
Major Renovation and Replacement Projects
- Aki Kurose Middle School addition and modernization: $225,210,400
- Replacement of one aging elementary school in northeast Seattle: $150,000,000
- Lowell Elementary School addition and modernization: $148,333,800
- John Marshall School Interim Site modernization: $84,978,637
- Chief Sealth International High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) and classroom addition: $50,097,300
Building Systems Repairs and Replacements
- Intercom Systems (emergency notifications): $52,750,000
- Security Systems: $50,700,000
- Roofs: $34,888,707
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): $22,000,000
- Exterior Cladding: $11,527,535
- Seismic Improvements: $8,678,342
- Exterior Windows: $8,000,000
- Site Improvements: $7,273,460
- Fire Alarm Systems: $2,591,187
- Playground Equipment: $2,335,000
- Lighting: included with Clean Buildings Performance Standards Compliance
Other Projects
- Clean Building Performance Standard Compliance: $92,854,739
- Central Kitchen Improvements: $10,470,000
- BEX V Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E): $8,634,440
- Rainier Beach High School Performing Arts Center Interior Build-Out: $8,608,142
- Cafeteria Refresh: $4,255,138
- Security Entry Vestibule Improvements: $4,250,000
- Gender Inclusive Restrooms: $2,645,105
- Nathan Hale Parking Lot (Thornton Creek Flood Mitigation): $2,000,000
- ADA Improvements: $1,000,000
- Elevator Repairs: $1,000,000
Academic and Athletics Projects
- Athletic Fields/Field Exterior Lights: $22,219,560
- Athletic Equipment: $2,127,000
- Program Placement: $1,000,000
- Special Education Program Modifications: $1,000,000
- Early Learning Capacity: $300,000
Reoccurring Costs
- Major Preventative Maintenance (3 years): $52,500,000
- Property Acquisition and Infrastructure: $10,000,000
- BTA VI Levy Planning and Move Costs: $9,980,000
- Short and Intermediate Capacity/Portable Management: $4,000,000
- Building and Site Security Equipment (Fencing): $2,500,000
- Maintenance Equipment: $1,000,000
- Food Service Equipment: $1,000,000
- Grounds Equipment: $250,000
Programmatic Needs
- BEX VI Projects Cost Escalation 5% Annually: $207,947,591
- BEX VI Building Program Contingency 3%: $37,549,759
- Management and Staffing: $36,000,000
BEX VI Technology Funding
Technology Funding: $414,977,597.
Each capital levy funds SPS technology operations on a 3-year cycle and supports projects, equipment, maintenance, and staffing.
Main Funding Source
BEX VI provides 90% of Department of Technology Services budget for the next three years.
- 139.3 FTE supporting schools, students, and district operations
- Investments in software and hardware
- Development and implementation of digital curriculum
- Upgrades to business and security systems
- Equitable access to digital resources and language support solutions
Areas of Funding
Student Learning and Support
This category prioritizes the maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of technology resources for students, staff, and classrooms, including technical support for equipment repairs, digital learning facilitation, procurement of instructional software and licenses, and provisioning of student devices to support school improvement initiatives and special education needs.
Infrastructure and Security
Focuses on sustaining and modernizing the district’s data center, cloud infrastructure, internet, and wireless connectivity, while strengthening cybersecurity measures, with funding allocated for system operations, equipment replacement programs, and IT personnel support.
District Systems and Data
Aims to advance districtwide academic and business systems, promote digital transformation, enhance data-informed decision-making, and support critical projects such as the replacement of aging business systems and improving academic digital resources, while providing resources for licensing, staff augmentation, and system application support.
BEX VI Funded Projects by School and Building
If the BEX VI Capital Levy is approved by voters, a work plan will be submitted to the Seattle School Board. These projects have been identified to be included in the work plan.