School district levies on ballot for Tuesday’s special election

SEATTLE — Levy and bond measures for school districts are among the issues voters will decide as part of the Feb. 8 special election on Tuesday.

Near Ballard High School Monday, spirited parents stood on the corner with signs to drum up support for Propositions 1 and 2 for Seattle Public Schools.

They say it’s a low turnout election, and funding for technology equipment such as laptops, as well as salaries for support staff, is desperately needed.

Lesley Rogers is a mother who was standing on the corner to remind people to vote.

“With a special election, a lot of people might not know about it, so we’re just out here trying to get people to remember to vote. These levies fund critical staff, technology and making sure our buildings are safe and warm for students,” she said.

Both propositions are funded by property taxes.

Proposition 1 would fund the salaries of teachers and support staff as well as classroom supplies, bilingual and special education services, student transportation, security, maintenance and student activities.

If approved, the $646.8 million levy would last three years from 2022 to 2025 and would cost $0.75 per every $1,000 of assessed home value.

Proposition 2 focuses on the modernization of buildings including fire safety, earthquake, air quality and security improvements. Money would also go to technology and the remodeling and modernization of athletic fields and facilities, including Seattle’s Memorial Stadium.

The $763 million levy would last for six years from 2023 to 2028. The estimated levy rates per $1,000 of assessed value will range from $0.47 for 2023 collections to $0.37 for 2028 collections.

Seattle isn’t the only district asking for millions on Tuesday.

Other districts with levies or bond measures on the ballot include Bellevue, Bethel, Edmonds, Enumclaw, Everett, Fife, Federal Way, Kent, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Mukilteo, Northshore, North Beach, Puyallup, Renton, Riverview, Shoreline, Snoqualmie Valley, Tacoma, Vashon Island and others.