Report on Recent Levies
Promises Made, Promises Kept
Report to the Community 2021
Your Tax Dollars Help Seattle Students Succeed
Seattle Public Schools relies on local, voter-approved levies to fill the gap between what the state provides and what it takes to meet student needs. This includes paying for day-to-day operations, for construction and improvements to school buildings, and for technology equipment, software, and services.
Two education levies expire at the end of 2022. Replacement levies will be on the ballot for the Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 election.
We want you to know how SPSSeattle Public Schools More is spending funding previously approved by Seattle voters. This report presents an overview of the the expiring Educational Programs & Opportunities (EP&O) levy, the expiring Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics (BTABuilding Renovations, Technology and Academic/Athletics Levy provides resources for seismic improvements, roof More) capital levy, and the Building Excellence (BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More) capital levy that was approved in 2019.
Thank you Seattle. You continue to make a difference for students.
2019 EP&O Levy
In February 2019, Seattle voters approved a three-year $815 million replacement levy. Local taxes collected from this levy provided the second largest source of SPS’s general fund operating budget.
Most of Seattle Public Schools’ EP&O levy supports critical basic education programs which are not fully funded by the state. These include areas such as special education and bilingual education teachers and instructional aides. Funding from the levy is also used for areas that would be considered enrichment, like security and transportation, and student activities such as athletics, drama, and music in schools.
This levy expires in 2022.
2021-22 Operating Budget: Funding by source

2016 BTA IV Capital Levy
Seattle voters approved the six-year, $475.3 million Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics IV Capital Levy (BTABuilding Renovations, Technology and Academic/Athletics Levy provides resources for seismic improvements, roof More IV) in February 2016. It replaced the BTA III capital levy. BTA IV projects are on schedule and within the program budget as of November 30, 2021. This levy expires in 2022. Projects selected were primarily based on school condition and capacity needs and followed the School Board’s Guiding Principles for BTABuilding Renovations, Technology and Academic/Athletics Levy provides resources for seismic improvements, roof More IV. Learn more about BTA IV.

BUILDINGS
Promised: Renovate and open three vacant school buildings as elementary schools to increase capacity for students and build an addition at one high school.
Delivered
- Renovated and opened E.C. Hughes to house Roxhill Elementary (2018), Magnolia Elementary as new attendance area schoolElementary, middle, and high school students are assigned to a designated attendance More (2019), and Webster School to house Licton Springs K-8 (2021).
- Addition constructed at Ingraham High School, opened 2019
Promised: Improve earthquake safety at two buildings to protect student, teachers and staff, and the integrity of the buildings.
Delivered
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020.
Promised: Install fire suppression/sprinklers life safety systems
Delivered/In Progress
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Magnolia Elementary School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020
- Webster School (Licton Springs K-8), completed 2021
- North Queen Anne (Cascade Parent Partnership), in progress
Promised: Fire alarm system improvements
Delivered/Scheduled
- Meany Middle School, completed 2017
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020.
- John Muir Elementary School, scheduled for 2022
Promised: Security Improvements — Buildings (door and window alarms)
Delivered/Scheduled
- Aki Kurose Middle School, completed 2018
- Rainier Beach High School, completed 2018
- Dearborn Park Elementary, completed 2021
- John Muir Elementary School, completed 2021
- Whitworth (Orca K-8), scheduled for 2022
Promised: Intercom system replacements
Delivered/Scheduled
- Meany Middle School, completed 2017
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020
- John Muir Elementary School, scheduled for 2022
Promised: Replace all or portions of roofs and make roof improvements that increase earthquake safety
Delivered
- Dearborn Park Elementary School, completed 2018
- Ballard High School, completed 2018
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Ingraham High School, completed 2019
- Garfield High School, completed 2018
- West Seattle High School, completed 2021
Promised: Exterior Renovations/Improvements (Doors, windows, exterior walls)

Delivered/in progress/scheduled
- Gatewood Elementary School, exterior cladding, complete 2018
- Lowell Elementary School, doors, completed 2018
- Sanislo Elementary School, doors, completed 2018
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, windows and doors, completed 2019
- Lincoln High School, doors, completed 2019
- Franklin High School, windows, doors, and cladding, completed 2020
- Garfield High School, doors, completed 2021
- Wedgwood Elementary School, doors, completed 2021
- Ballard High School, exterior cladding, in progress
- North Queen Anne School (Cascade Parent Partnership), windows and doors, in progress
- Eckstein Middle School, exterior cladding, scheduled 2022
- Graham Hill Elementary, doors, scheduled for 2022
- Whitworth (Orca K-8), doors, scheduled for 2022
Promised: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVACTypes of mechanical systems that provide heat and air in school buildings. More) System Improvements
Delivered/Scheduled
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020
- Gatewood Elementary School, scheduled for 2022
Promised: Electrical System Improvements
Delivered/in progress/scheduled
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020
- North Queen Anne School (Cascade Parent Partnership), in progress
- Franklin High School gym, scheduled, summer 2022
Promised: Plumbing System Improvements
Delivered
- Lincoln High School, completed 2019
- Daniel Bagley Elementary School, completed 2020
Promised: Districtwide Support Projects — routine replacement of equipment for food service, lunchrooms, maintenance, grounds, and security; planning and election costs for 2019 election.
Delivered
- All funding spent or reserved for specific line items and not used for other projects.
Promised: Property Acquisition
Delivered
- Added to funds available for property acquisition. Having this budget available reduces the lead time for SPSSeattle Public Schools More to acquire property if need and opportunity arises, and it reduces the potential need to take on debt to finance property additions.
Promised: Major Preventive Maintenance
Delivered
- This funding continued funding for the preventive maintenance program.
Promised: Capital Eligible Loan Repayment
Delivered
- This funding has been and can be used only for the designated purpose.
Promised: Debt Service Payment
Delivered
- This funding pays the debt incurred in purchasing and renovating the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.
TECHNOLOGY
Promised: Make strategic investments in technology to support teaching and learning in the classroom; delivery of services to students, teachers, staff, and families; and improve business efficiency.
Delivered/in progress: See Technology below
ACADEMICS/ATHLETICS
Promised: Special Education Program Modifications
Delivered
- These funds have been used to modify buildings and systems to meet changing needs of students receiving special education services.
Promised: Science and computer labs at high schools as needed to support CORE 24 graduation requirements
Delivered/scheduled
- These funds have been and will be used for the designated purpose.
Promised: Student Assessment System Licenses
Delivered
- License fees paid
Promised: Program Placement
Delivered
- These funds have been and will be used to support changes to school buildings and portable placement to meet the changing needs in placement of education programs around the district. They are also used for capital-eligible new program and curriculum materials.
Promised: Athletic Field Improvements and Exterior Lights, Defibrillators

Delivered
- Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, field upgrades completed 2017, and lighting completed 2019
- Chief Sealth High School, field upgrades completed 2018
- Garfield High School, field upgrades completed 2019
- Nathan Hale High School, field upgrades completed 2020
- Jane Addams Middle School, field upgrades completed 2020
- Ingraham High School, field upgrades, scheduled 2022
- Lower Woodland, fields and lights, canceled – funding to be reprogrammed to other capital projectsDistrict capital assets through construction and remodeling projects. More.
- Defibrillators, districtwide battery replacement 2018–2022
2019 Building Excellence V Capital Levy (BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More V)

Seattle voters approved BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More V in February 2019. This six-year, $1.4 billion capital levy replaced the expiring BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More IV levy. BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More V provides funding for replacement or major modernization of aging school buildings, and additional safety, security, and infrastructure projects. It will expire in 2025. Projects selected went through an extensive community vetting process and followed the School Board’s Guiding Principles for BEX V. Learn more about BEX V.
Promised: Replacement of 7 aging school buildings — Alki Elementary School, John Rogers Elementary School, Kimball Elementary School, James Baldwin Elementary School, and Viewlands Elementary School, Mercer International Middle School, and Rainier Beach High School
- Under construction: Kimball, James Baldwin, and Viewlands replacement schools
- In planning: Alki, John Rogers, Mercer, and Rainier Beach
Promised: Major modernization and expansion of the landmarked Montlake Elementary School
- In planning
Promised: Classroom addition and improvements at West Seattle Elementary School and West Woodland Elementary School
- Delivered: West Woodland completed 2021
- Under construction: West Seattle
Promised: Addition to Van Asselt School Interim Site
- In planning
Beyond the promise: Classroom addition construction projects in progress that include BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More V funding added to Distressed Schools Grants from the State of Washington
- Under construction: Leschi Elementary School, Madison Middle School
Promised: School building systems projects including safety and security upgrades, heating and ventilation system improvements, electrical and plumbing projects, and athletic fields and playground improvements have been completed or are scheduled in upcoming years.
More information on current projects
Technology
Both the BTABuilding Renovations, Technology and Academic/Athletics Levy provides resources for seismic improvements, roof More and BEXBuilding Excellence Capital Levy provides resources for school construction, renovations, and additions. More capital levies provide more than 85% of funding for technology staff, equipment, and services. The COVID 19 pandemic led to acceleration of some projects and re-prioritizing others to support the rapid move to online learning.
Over the past six years, SPSSeattle Public Schools More has:
- Expanded student, teacher, classroom, and district technology equipment, staffing, and services to ensure that every student had laptops and internet access for online line learning during the pandemic.
- Implemented a digital equity program to support schools and students who are historically underserved.
- Enhanced cybersecurity for better protection of students, staff, and district resources.