Legislative
Legislatively Speaking
Key issues affecting our students. Be informed and get involved – you can make a difference!
Seattle Public School Levies
Operations and BTA
Renew Our Commitment
To Quality Education in Seattle for every child!
On February 9, 2010, Seattle voters will be asked to renew their commitment to Seattle’s Public School students by voting to renew two critical school levies. Today we face a nationwide economic downturn and dwindling state resources. Last session, the Legislature cut a 1.5 billion dollars from K-12 education. Our children cannot afford to lose one more penny of public funding.
Building, Technology and Academic – BTA Capital Levy ($270m proposed) – Ensures a safe learning environment by funding critical health and safety improvements at schools across the District and provides for 100% of the funding required. This levy is a 6-year levy that was last renewed in 2004. It provides health and safety improvements and upgrades for:
- Roofs, air quality, building exteriors, life safety, mechanical and electrical systems, playgrounds/fields, classroom technology, science labs, and more
- Energy efficiency improvements and sustainable technology to make school buildings greener, healthier and cheaper to maintain
With a Yes vote, the District will have funding to start developing a skills center for vocational students and many more improvements
Ø Operations Levy ($448m proposed) – Provides nearly one-quarter (24%) of Seattle Public Schools day-to-day operating budget. It pays for basic needs such as competitive salaries for, teachers and staff, text books, and smaller class sizes. This levy is on a 3-year renewal cycle. It provides nearly a quarter of the district’s operating budget paying for everything from teacher salaries to utility bills. Our operating levy also provides critically needed funds for:
- 6th period classes for middle and high school, language and arts classes, and textbooks
- Librarians, counselors, bilingual and special education specialists and supplies
With a yes vote, Seattle will be able to maintain the status quo, without these funds, Seattle Public School’s budget would be devastated.
How can you help?
- Endorse
- Volunteer
- Contribute
Both of these levies replace expiring levies; they are not new taxes.
For more information go to: www.schoolsfirstseattle.org or contact Heidi Bennett at Heidi@bennettdirect.net or (206) 781-5566. Together we can make a difference.
We Need You
We have the power to make our children's futures more exciting, creative, challenging and meaningful by helping the PTSA fund things like teacher stipends, library and technology resources, artists-in-residence, scholarships and more.
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