On Monday, 5 June 2017, the Seattle City Council introduced an amendment to the Council’s referral calendar to have $2.3m in Families and Education Levy funds earmarked as one-time bridge funding for school buses. If funded these funds direct will go to Seattle Public Schools to pay for school buses allowing the district to shift to a two-tier start time versus the current three-tiers next school year.
The Families and Education Levy is overseen by the Levy Oversight Committee (LOC). The LOC voted 4 opposed, 3 in favor to fund the request. Erin Okuno, Executive Director of SESEC, was one of the members opposed.
SESEC is also opposed to using levy funds to pay for buses and has shared these views with the City Council. We are not opposed to shifting to a two-tier start time if other appropriate and sustainable funding source could be found.
Divesting funds originally dedicated to supporting students of color and shifting them to a race neutral strategy allows institutional racism to happen. Funding buses across the school district is equality (giving all students the same), not racial equity.
Decision making for racial equity requires us, especially policy makers, to slow down and engage with communities, families, and students of color. Communities of color were not asked how they would we like to see $2.3-million in levy funds used to close persistent and damaging racialized opportunity and achievement gaps.
We question the use of levy funding on paying for buses when transportation has traditionally been part of basic education formula paid for by the state. Levy funding is meant to supplement, not supplant basic education dollars.
While we understand many community members are asking for this to be funded, we are taking a principled stand on saying we oppose using levy dollars for this item.
6/9/17 Additional Information
- Families and Education Levy page
- Families and Education Levy Ordinance 2011
- Levy sections specifying priorities of the levy:
- Section 6. Education-Support Services. Education-Support Services funded by Proceeds are intended to promote school readiness and learning, support academic achievement and reduce the academic achievement gap, and prepare graduates for college and the career of their choice.
- Priorities for Levy Funding:
1. Children at risk, including English Language Learners,
2. Children, birth to age 5, likely to attend low performing schools,
3. Students with the highest level of academic need,
4. Schools with the highest level of academic need,
5. Maximizing impact by funding a targeted number of schools and students,
6. Build on the success of previous investments, where possible,
7. Use evidence-based and/or promising practices to improve academic outcomes, and
8. Invest in family strengthening practices. - …the 2004 Levy focuses on programs and services intended to prepare children for kindergarten, improving academic achievement, closing the achievement gap, and increasing high school graduation rates; and measures all Levy investments by their ability to contribute to these goals
SESEC’s letter to the City Council and cc’d to the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors: