CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION declaring the support for passage of the Seattle School District's Proposition 1 Operations Levy and Proposition 2 Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics IV Capital Levy, on the February 9, 2016 ballot.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle School District's Proposition 1: Operations Levy and Proposition 2: Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics IV Capital Levy ("BTA IV") will be presented to the voters of Seattle at a special election on February 9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, education is the key to opportunity in this country; and
WHEREAS, a strong public school system is essential to sustain the economic health and vitality of the City by providing an educated and skilled workforce; and
WHEREAS, an educated population will be actively engaged in Seattle's civic life and contribute to the economic and social well-being of the city; and
WHEREAS, Seattle's children are its future and the quality of that future depends on providing all students equal access to a high quality education; and
WHEREAS, by 2018, it is projected that 67% of all jobs in Washington state will require a post-secondary education; and
WHEREAS, in order to maintain its competitiveness, keep existing employers and attract new family-wage jobs and economically viable industries, Seattle needs to provide a well-educated and trained workforce with the advanced skills and abilities needed to compete in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, a strong public school system contributes to the desirability and attractiveness of Seattle as a place to live; and
WHEREAS, State funding of the Seattle School District will be insufficient to enable the District to pay for necessary educational programs and operations and to properly meet the educational needs of the students attending District schools; and
WHEREAS, enrollment in Seattle Public Schools is projected to grow by over 4,000 students by 2020, the equivalent of 8 new elementary schools; and
WHEREAS, in coordination with the Department of Education and Early Learning and in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, the City’s new Office of Planning and Community Development is responsible for developing planning strategies that support the District’s public school facility needs for anticipated student population consistent with adopted comprehensive plan policies and growth forecasts; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 1, the Seattle School District's three year Operations Levy totaling $758.3 million will provide necessary funds to pay for essential classroom needs such as teachers, librarians, counselors, bilingual and special education specialists, textbooks and supplies, athletics and arts; and
WHEREAS, the educational facilities of the Seattle School District are in need of earthquake and other safety projects, increased capacity to meet enrollment growth, improvements in building condition for aging structures, technology improvements and major preventive maintenance throughout the District to meet the current and future educational needs of its students; and
WHEREAS, projects funded by Proposition 2, the Seattle School District's six-year BTA IV Capital Levy totaling $475 million will make sure that students and teachers have a safe learning environment by modernizing fire alarm and school security systems, enhancing earthquake protection, and replacing roofs and heating systems, add desperately needed classroom space to help meet our growing enrollment, and provide technology upgrades and science labs while reducing maintenance and repair backlogs; and
WHEREAS, both the Operations and BTA IV Capital Levies are renewals of existing operations and capital levies; and
WHEREAS, the expiring BTA III Capital Levy has delivered its projects on time and under budget; and
WHEREAS, Seattle has the lowest tax rate of any major school district in King County; and
WHEREAS, without these funds, our children’s education will suffer - teachers and staff would be laid off, class sizes increased and important programs cut; and
WHEREAS, Seattle voters recognize that the Seattle School District must depend on local levy support to provide essential services as State funding is insufficient and have consistently for the past three decades voted to support the Seattle School District's local levies; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. In accordance with the requirements of RCW 42.17A.555 and SMC 2.04.300 proper notice was given for a hearing at which members of the public, as well as Councilmembers, were afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view. Having considered the views of the public, the Seattle City Council and the Mayor support the efforts of the Seattle School District to obtain voter approval of two School Levies on February 9, 2016. The Seattle City Council and the Mayor ask Seattle voters to carefully review these ballot measures and vote "YES" on Seattle School District's Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, which will provide additional funding of benefit to our children and our City.
Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day
of ______________________, 2016.
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President ___________of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the _____ day of _______________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)