Municipal League of King County Ballot Issues Committee
Seattle Public Schools Operating and Capital Levies

February 3, 2004 Special Election Ballot Measure

Summary of Measure

Citizens of Seattle will vote on two school levies: Proposition 1 is the three-year $338 million Educational Programs and Operations Levy, and Proposition 2 is the six-year $178 million Capital Levy.  Together, the levies will cost $2.39 per thousand of assessed property value.  For a median-priced home valued at $350,000, a homeowner would pay $833 per year.  The levies replace existing operating and capital levies which were approved in 2001 and 1998 respectively.  Both levies require a 60% supermajority vote and a turnout of 40% of the total number of votes cast in the November 2003 general election.

The operating levy (Proposition 1) supports basic educational services including instructional programs, lowered class sizes, technology, student activities, transportation services and security and maintenance of school buildings.  It also pays for counselors, librarians, instructional assistants, full-day kindergarten, bilingual and special education services, professional development for teachers and staff, and activities like athletics, band, choir and drama.  The levy accounts for 23% of the Seattle School District’s annual budget.

The capital levy (Proposition 2) includes nearly 700 individual projects in three major components: buildings, technology and academics. 

• The buildings component ($95.5 million) includes roof replacement, exterior renovations, life safety and mechanical systems, interior finishes and furnishings, playgrounds and furniture;

• The technology component ($42.75 million) includes the student information and business systems, computers and computer networks in all schools, technology teaching tools and library systems and resources; and

• The academics component ($39.75 million) includes facility improvements for science, libraries, music and performing arts auditoriums, athletic fields and childcare.  Four high schools (Nathan Hale, Ingraham, Rainier Beach, and Chief Sealth) will receive renovations of existing facilities.

This capital levy would continue the Building, Technology and Athletic Fields Levy approved by Seattle voters in 1998.  The existing levy program is due to be completed in 2004 on time and within budget.  The proposed 2004 levy will renew this small capital projects program.  The other major District capital levy, Building Excellence, provides for new construction, renovations and additions at 17 school buildings and was authorized in 2001 for six years.

The levy rates are calculated such that a fixed amount of money is generated and rates decline as property values rise.  The Seattle school levy rate of $2.39 per thousand assumes that property values will rise at 6% per year and that the tax rate for the school levies will decrease to $2.12 per thousand by 2007.  Seattle’s levy rate is relatively low compared to other school districts in the region such as Kent, Shoreline, Federal Way and Highline which are all over $4.00 per thousand of assessed value.

Arguments FOR the Measure

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

• The operating levy (Proposition 1) represents 23% of the Seattle School District’s annual general fund budget and supports basic educational programs that are not fully funded by the state.

• Every school in the District receives funding from the operating levy according to the regular allocation formulas.

• Seattle has 103 schools with an average age of 40 years.  The small capital projects levy (Proposition 2) funds ongoing repairs and renewals of aging facilities as well as upgrades to meet modern science and technology education.

• The levies replace existing voter-approved levies and will not increase tax rates.

• Technology tools are essential systems in education and management today.  Initial investments as well continuing upgrades are needed to meet the District’s technology master plan.

• Seattle schools serve 47,000 students, of whom 39% receive free and reduced price lunches, 13% receive special education services and 13% receive bilingual education services.  The diverse population of students requires the support of the city’s citizens.

• Student achievement continues to improve at Seattle’s public schools.  Reading, writing and math scores have improved significantly since 1999.  Improving achievement requires resources and the support of the voters.

• The community has an economic interest in ensuring the strength and quality of our schools, to support the trends toward an ever more highly skilled workforce and counter the need to import skilled foreign workers.

• Property owners have a healthy self-interest in investment in community infrastructure and quality neighborhood schools and should support the school levies.

• Major community organizations have endorsed both levies, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Labor Council, the Urban League and the NAACP.

Arguments AGAINST the Measure

The Ballot Issues Committee was unable to identify any organized opposition to the school levies, but developed the following potential arguments against the levies:

• The Washington State Constitution states that education is the “paramount duty” of the state government and should be paid for out of regular tax collections.

• During the recent economic recession and taxpayer revolt against tax increases, the capital levy is an expensive program that is not warranted. 

• The School District should demonstrate sound financial management and accountability before the taxpayers authorize new funding.

• The old School Board authorized this levy; given the turnover on the School Board, the new School Board should make its own levy proposals after careful review.

Recommendation and Rationale

The Ballot Issues Committee recommends the Trustees of the Municipal League endorse both school levies.  Despite the financial management problems of the past year, the Seattle School District has demonstrated accountability and a sincere effort to change the way it has managed its finances and responded to the community.  The school levies are an integral part of the ongoing operating and capital budgets of the District.  Without them, our schools would lose 23% of their general fund and much of their ability to maintain safe, modern and well-maintained school buildings.  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 schools deserve the continuing support of the community.  The levies replace existing voter-approved levies and do not represent an increase in tax rates.  The levies offer the Seattle School District an opportunity to demonstrate that it has implemented sound financial management practices.