Vote Yes! For Our Schools and Our Kids by
November 2, 2010

Seattle voters are being asked to support their public schools by approving a levy designed to restore just some of the cuts made to education.  Votes in support of the levy must be postmarked no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Why a school levy is needed

The state cut per pupil funding to Seattle schools by $32 million over the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. Federal “stimulus” dollars were used to backfill that hole, but now this source of funding is set to expire.

A recently approved federal aid package to the states may provide some additional funding for public education, but these funds would be just a temporary fix.  Our schools will still be under-funded by about $27 million for the 2011-2012 school year.

With Washington State facing a $3 billion shortfall in the next two-year budget, all indications are that even more cuts are on the way.  Local support for this levy will help to restore just some of the state-level cuts made to our schools.

What the school levy will support:

The levy will restore just some of the funding cut from our schools, and help insure our kids get the basic education they deserve.  These funds will be used to purchase the textbooks and basic classroom materials that state-level funding normally provides.  In addition, levy funds will support Seattle Public Schools’ strategic plan, “Excellence for All,” and the progress being made towards closing the achievement gap.

How levy funds will be raised:

To help limit the devastating impact state cuts to education would have on our schools, the legislature changed the law so school districts could ask citizens to help fill the funding gap.  Schools are asking Seattle voters to approve a 3-year, $48.2 million levy that will be on the November ballot.  These funds will only partially restore recent cuts to education.
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 – 2013.

Your “YES” vote will throw a lifeline to Seattle students – please vote “YES” for the School Levy this November!  Votes in support of the levy must be postmarked no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.