The Municipal League of King County Recommends a vote

 IN FAVOR

of the

Seattle Family and Education Levy

on the September 14, 2004 Primary Election Ballot

Summary of Measure

 Citizens of Seattle will vote on a seven-year, $117 million levy to support children, youth and family programs serving especially children of color and children from low-income families.  If the levy passes, a homeowner will pay $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a median-priced home valued at $367,000, the levy will be $66 per year.  This levy replaces the existing family and education levy with a larger levy and expanded programs.  The levy requires a simple majority vote.  The Family and Education (F&E) Levy, administered by the City, is in addition to the Seattle Public Schools operating levy of $2.39 per thousand that was passed in February of this year. 

 The Family and Education Levy has an overall goal of giving every child a chance of success in school.  The Levy funds will be focused on five areas of need: 

 Additionally, levy funds will pay for school crossing guards ($500,000) and levy administration and evaluation ($700,000).  Funding amounts shown are annual amounts. 

 The Levy proposal includes an expanded Oversight Committee and a new focus on accountability with the development of criteria and measurable outcomes for each program. 

 The proposed 2004 F&E Levy is a continuation of the original 1990 voter-approved $69 million levy that was re-authorized in 1997.  The current proposal increases the levy amount to $117 million to address the costs of inflation and to add funds to early learning and after-school programs.  The increase to the average homeowner is approximately $20 per year. 

 Arguments FOR the Measure

 The following arguments were put forth by the proponents of the measure:

·         The 2004 F&E Levy proposal provides educational and developmental services that Seattle schools do not currently provide but that are needed to help close the achievement gap for children of low-income families and children of color.

·         This Levy proposal increases focus on preparing more children to enter school ready to learn and on serving middle and high school youth who are not performing at grade level or who are at risk of not graduating.

·         The 2004 proposal takes a more integrated approach than the previous levy programs by requiring new agreements between the City, the school district and community-based organizations to ensure that services support and build on each other.

·         This Levy proposal has an increased focus on evaluation and requires the development of measurable outcomes for all of its programs.

·         The proposal includes a strengthened and expanded Oversight Committee.

·         The Levy proposal is aligned with the City’s new Children and Youth Strategy goals to leverage the power of the city general fund, as well as state and federal funds to improve school readiness and academic success, improve children’s health, provide a safe environment and strong communities for children.

·         Seattle Public Schools are in the midst of a multi-year program to increase student achievement.  The efforts have begun to bear fruit, and the children and youth of Seattle deserve the continuing support of the community for supplementary services that schools cannot provide.

Arguments AGAINST the Measure

 The Ballot Issues Committee was unable to identify an organized opposition to the levy, but spoke to a number of concerned citizens who raised the following arguments against the levy:

·         The proposed near-doubling of the F&E Levy in a time in which homeowner assessments have increased as much as 13% a year puts taxpayers beyond the breaking point of escalating taxes.

·         There are so many other needs for voter-approved taxes, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the seawall, city streets, mass transit, low-income housing, parks, and libraries, that the City should show voters the total accumulation of needs and taxes and define its priorities, instead of asking for “just a $20 increase.”

·         The $138 million spent on 14 years of programs under the two previous levies have remarkably few results to show for the amount spent.  Previous evaluations have shown a  low level of accomplishment and poor accountability, and ineffective programs continued to be funded.

·         There is no evidence that previously funded programs succeeded in raising the academic achievement of low income children.

·         Despite claims to have increased accountability, the Levy proposal does not identify measurable indicators and how programs will be held accountable for children’s success. 

·         Citizens should vote NO on this Levy and hold out for a different one that specifies real outcomes and focuses on programs that are known to work. 

·         The current proposal is filled with a variety of stop-gap funds for elements such as crossing guards and school nurses that the school district has determined are not an academic priority. 

 Recommendation and Rationale

 The Municipal League of King County recommends a vote IN FAVOR of  the 2004 Family and Education Levy.  The League supports the goal and intent of the Levy to improve academic achievement and provide additional services to at-risk children and youth.  The increase from $69 million to $117 million represents new program activities and the effect of inflation since 1990. The emphasis on increased program integration and accountability is welcome.

The Municipal League of King County requires a two-thirds vote by the board of Trustees to approve recommendations on ballot issues.