Thanks to Seattle voters, the 2013 capital levy was approved. Please visit the BEX website to learn about projects funded under the Building Excellence capital program, approved by voters in 1995, 2001 2007, and 2013.

Levy Planning for February 2010 - Timeline

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) long-rang capital levy plan includes two capital levies, Building Excellence (BEX) and Buildings, Technology and Academics (BTA). The levy schedule puts either a BEX or BTA levy before voters every three years on an alternating schedule.

Buildings, Technology and Academics III (BTA III) is a capital levy that will go before Seattle voters on February 9, 2010. BTA III replaces the expiring BTA II levy and will fund needed improvements in our school buildings, technology and academic support infrastructure.

Operations Levy

  • Three-year levy
  • Provides nearly 25% of the total general operating fund
  • Pays for instruction and services to students
  • Requires 50% simple majority to pass
  • Schedule: every three years: 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013…

Capital Levies

  • Six-year levies put before voters on an alternating three-year schedule
  • Building Excellence (BEX) capital levy, which pays for new construction, renovation and additions, and technology upgrades (1995, 2001, 2007, 2013…)
  • Buildings, Technology and Academics (BTA) capital levy, which pays for many small renovations and major maintenance projects (roof, windows and tile replacement; HVAC; ADA; technology upgrades; athletic fields; science labs) (1998, 2004, 2010, 2016…)
  • Requires 50% simple majority to pass

Timeline for February 2010 Levies

March 2008 – January 2009

  • Facilities Management Plan (FMP) adopted
  • School/community input and project nominations
  • Community information meetings

November 2008 – April 2009

  • Facilities Analysis by MENG
  • Develop potential academic and technology project needs

April 2009 – August 2009

  • Financial analysis: review assessed values, rates
  • Community information sharing meetings: May 5, May 7, May 9  
  • School Board Work Sessions: May 13, June 18, July 1
  • School Board Operations Committee meetings: April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20
  • Board adopts BTA III Principles and Guidelines: July 1, 2009

September 2009 – October 2009

  • School Board Work Session: Sept. 2, Oct. 7
  • School Board Operations Committee meetings: Sept. 17, Oct. 15
  • Community engagement and information sharing: Sept. 22, 24, 28

November 2009 – January 2010

  • Levy Resolutions introduced to School Board: Nov. 4
  • Public Hearing on Levies 2010: Nov. 12 
  • Levy Resolutions voted on by School Board: Nov. 18
  • School/Community information sharing

February 9, 2010

  • Public vote: 
    • Operations Levy
    • BTA III Capital Levy