CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION supporting Seattle School District No. 1’s Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 and urging Seattle voters to vote “Yes” on Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 on the February 8, 2022, special election ballot.
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WHEREAS, as of October 2020, there were approximately 52,381 students enrolled in Seattle School District No. 1 (SPS) in 106 school buildings across the City of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the students enrolled at SPS are increasingly diverse and come to the classroom with varying needs. For example, SPS-enrolled students speak 154 languages and/or dialects, 32 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced-priced lunches, 21 percent of students speak a home language other than English, 4 percent of students are experiencing homelessness, and 13 percent of students are enrolled in special education; and
WHEREAS, investing in public education and strengthening equitable access to high-quality education helps students and families optimize their potential, prepares and builds future leaders to participate in our workforce, and strengthens community and civic life; and
WHEREAS, the opportunity and academic achievement gaps persist for SPS students and disproportionately impact students of color, students who are experiencing housing instability and/or homelessness, students needing special education, and students who are English Language Learners (ELL). For example, in the 2019-2020 school year, the adjusted four-year cohort graduation rate for all students was 86 percent, yet Black students had an 80 percent graduation rate, Latinx students had a 74 percent graduation rate, ELL students had a 67 percent graduation rate, and students experiencing homelessness had a 62 percent graduation rate; and
WHEREAS, Article IX, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution states that “it is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex”; and
WHEREAS, a funding gap between what the State of Washington allocates for public education and what Seattle’s public-school students need persists even after the resolution of McCleary, et al. v. State of Washington, No. 84362-7 (McCleary Decision); and
WHEREAS, as the largest school district in the state, SPS has asked voters to approve levies to close these ongoing funding gaps to support school district operations and to fund capital projects, improvements, major maintenance and repairs through operations levies and capital levies; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the Washington State Legislature authorized school districts to seek voter approval of special levies to raise funding for maintenance and operation support (RCW 84.52.053), allowing SPS to seek additional levy funding for district-wide capital, maintenance, and operation needs; and
WHEREAS, the SPS Board of Directors voted unanimously on November 3, 2021, to place a three-year operations levy and a six-year capital levy before Seattle voters on the February 8, 2022, special election ballot; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 1 (Replacement for Educational Programs and Operations Levy) would provide funding for basic day-to-day operations, teachers, instructional assistants, bilingual and special education services, bus transportation, student activities such as arts, extra-curricular activities, professional development, technology, and training. The proposition would also provide funding for enrichment to areas such as special education, English learner services, building maintenance, school supplies, and staff salaries for positions such as nurses and custodians; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 2 (Replacement of the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Capital Levy) would improve the safety and security of SPS students by funding air quality and security improvements, earthquake safety improvements, and upgraded fire alarm systems; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 2 would fund classroom technology and supports for student learning as well as improve district systems and infrastructure through electric vehicle accommodations, energy efficiency upgrades, life safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, interior and exterior renovations, and improvements to drinking water quality; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 2 is essential to the construction, remodeling, and modernization of athletic fields and facilities, including, but not limited to, Memorial Stadium; and
WHEREAS, Propositions 1 and 2 complement the City of Seattle’s Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP Levy), which was approved by voters in the November 2018, general election; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has a long history of partnering with SPS and its Board of Directors to ensure that FEPP Levy investments complement instructional seat-time and initiatives led by SPS for the educational benefit of Seattle students and their families; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle recognizes that an ongoing partnership with SPS and its Board of Directors is an important partnership that yields meaningful investments in the children and young adults enrolled at SPS; and
WHEREAS, after notice in accordance with RCW 42.17A.555 and Seattle Municipal Code Section 2.04.300, persons in favor of Propositions 1 and 2 and those opposed to it have been given an equal opportunity to share their views in an open public meeting; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and Seattle City Council support Seattle School District No. 1’s Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 and urge Seattle voters to vote “Yes” on Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 in the February 8, 2022, special election.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2022, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)