Seattle Schools Will Ask Voters For $1.2 Billion

Seattle Public Schools will ask voters for property tax levies worth $1.2 billion in February. The school board unanimously approved renewals of the capital projects and operations levies Wednesday night.

The $694.9 million Building Excellence IV capital projects levy would fund new construction, renovation, as well as safety and earthquake improvements. District officials say the money would let the district deal with a maintenance backlog of more than half a billion dollars and make room for more students in a district that's growing rapidly.

The $551.9 million operations levy would pay for everything from teachers and librarians to textbooks and art supplies. It would make up more than a quarter of the district's general fund. Board President Michael DeBell says the size of the levy has grown each election as state funding for public education has dwindled.