We’ve been hearing some opposition to Proposition 2, the BEX VI levy. This capital levy is not about building additional schools or closing schools—it’s about maintaining and improving the aging facilities our students rely on every day. From safety upgrades to critical repairs, BEX VI ensures students have safe, functional places to learn. In addition, this levy funds 90 percent of the budget for student and staff technology.

To combat the misinformation out there, here are the facts. You can also visit our website https://seattleschoolsfirst.org/

Our schools are aging. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) operates 106 schools. Many buildings are over 65 years old. The oldest, B.F. Day Elementary School was constructed in 1892. Renewing these levies helps make sure we have funding to renovate, repair or replace aging buildings. There is no state funding for major construction work—it comes from local, voter-approved levies.

Prop. 2 doesn’t close schools or build an additional elementary school. The majority of funding in Prop. 2 is for districtwide safety, building improvements and technology. It does include funding for a few major projects, including funding to replace one of the aging elementary schools located in the northeast region. It does not build an additional school, but will replace one of the aging schools at the same location.

The district has a long-range plan for renovating, repairing or replacing aging schools. SPS maintains a comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan to address current and future facility needs. This plan is available on the SPS website here. SPS designs new schools to serve the community for the next 100 years, not just based on current enrollment. Buildings can be zoned for partial use if enrollment declines, ensuring efficient use of space.

There is community oversight. The BEX Oversight Committee provides expert guidance and accountability. The Oversight Committee comprises subject matter experts who guide SPS capital projects. Committee members are required to have no conflicting financial interests in SPS project design or construction. This ensures transparent and responsible management of levy funds.

BEX V, passed by voters in 2019, was a success. The funding included in the 2025 levy renewal looks different than it did six years ago, when enrollment was growing and we were focused on removing portable classrooms.  This capital levy pivoted away from the design and construction of new schools to implementing building systems repairs. The main focus of the 2025 levy is $200M in building systems repairs districtwide. The 2025 levy does not build additional schools or close schools.

A vote YES is a vote for our nearly 50,000 students. If this levy fails, schools lose critical funding for security systems, playground repair, student computers & cybersecurity, and essential heating & cooling repairs. If we think our local schools lack funding now, imagine what it will look like if we can’t renew these critical local funds.

VOTE YES for Props 1 and 2 by February 11.