Vote Yes! For Schools,
Vote Yes! For Seattle’s Children on November 2, 2010

On November 2, 2010, Seattle voters will be asked to support Seattle students by voting for a supplemental school levy designed to partially offset state budget cuts to education.

Why is a supplemental school levy needed?

Education funding Seattle receives from the state was cut by $32 million in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years; similar reductions are foreseen for the next few years. In March 2010, the State Legislature authorized a temporary increase in the amount school districts can raise through local levies – throwing districts a lifeline to limit the devastating impact of these cuts on students. The Seattle school board voted in July to place a Supplemental Levy on the November ballot to raise $48.2 million over the course of the next three years.

What will this levy support?

Levy funds will: partially replace reduced State funding , further the goals of the district’s “Excellence for All” strategic plan, and facilitate efforts to eliminate the achievement gap. Funds could also be used to support negotiated efforts to support student achievement and great teachers and leaders as well as purchase textbooks and other instructional materials which have been left unfunded (negotiations still underway).

How will levy funds be raised?

Based on current assessed valuation information, estimated levy rates will be $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2011 and $0.12 per $1,000 in 2012 and 2013.

Your vote will throw a lifeline to Seattle students – please vote “YES” for the Supplemental School Levy on the November 2010 General Election ballot!