Seattle Education Levy Increase (November 2011)
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A Seattle Education Levy Increase measure was on the November 8, 2011 ballot in the city of Seattle, which is in King County, Washington. It was approved.
This measure increased the families and education levy to nearly double the prior rate. The money from this levy was earmarked for early learning programs, lower income schools, school health clinics and academic support for at-risk high school students.[1]
Election results
| Seattle Education Levy Increase | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 105,656 | 63.04% | ||
| No | 61,939 | 36.96% | ||
- Election results from King County Elections office.
Text of measure
The following question appeared on the ballot:[2]
| “ |
The City of Seattle’s Proposition concerns renewing and enhancing Education-Support Services to improve academic achievement. This proposition would fund City services, including school readiness, academic achievement in elementary, middle and high school, college/career preparation, and student health and community partnerships as provided in Ordinance 123567. It authorizes regular property taxes above RCW 84.55 limits, allowing additional 2012 collection of up to $32,101,000 (approximately $0.27/$1000 assessed value) and up to $231,562,000 over seven years. In 2012, total City taxes collected would not exceed $3.60 per $1,000 of assessed value. Should this Levy be approved?[3] |
” |
Background
The previous families and education levy was approved in 2004 and was designed to expire in December 2011.[4] Statistics from 2011 showed:
- Over 1,600 children from central, southeast and southwest Seattle had entered kindergarten prepared to succeed;
- Over 700 homes with children at ages two to three who were isolated due to language or poverty had been visited twice weekly;
- More than 1,500 elementary students met standards for the first time;
- More than 2,500 middle school students met standards for the first time;
- A 13 percent increase in meeting reading standards and a 21 percent increase in meeting math standards; and
- Those who used school based health clinics had higher GPAs and missed class less.
Support
Supporters of the measure noted that the goals of this levy included preparing children to graduate college and ensuring they were ready for careers after. Supporters also said the money helped to continue the previously set goals with regard to high school graduation rates and reduced the academic achievement gap for students. Supporters pointed to the training for working families, the ability to provide preschool for four-year-olds, the support in transitioning from preschool to kindergarten and the expansion of parent-child home visiting programs made possible by the tax revenue.[5]
They also pointed towards the extension in school learning for struggling students, out-of-school activities, family support for at-risk students, college planning programs, sports transportation and summer learning programs that were made possible.[5]
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Seattle Times, "Liquor, toll, car-tab votes coming in November," August 16, 2011
- ↑ King County Elections, "City of Seattle, Proposition No. 1," accessed October 2011
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ City of Seattle, "2004 Families and Ed Levy Results," accessed October 2011
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 City of Seattle, "Overview 2011 Families and Education Levy," accessed October 2011
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