City of Seattle

Seattle City CouncilCouncilmember David J. DellaCouncil puts Families and Ed Levy into action “We’re building accountability and we’re focused on seeing results.”SEATTLE – Today, the City Council unanimously passed a plan for putting into motion Families and Education Levy funds to support Seattle Schools. Using the revenues from a seven-year property tax levy, the city partners with the school district in providing over $116 million for children and youth. The new implementation plan adopted by Council today is based on an “Outcomes Funding Framework” which assures the evaluation of results. Progress will be tracked on school readiness, academic achievement, and on the reduction of the achievement gap and drop out rates. “We told Seattle’s voters this Levy would be valuable in helping our children learn. With it, we are building accountability and we’re focused on seeing results,” said Councilmember David Della, chair of the Council’s Parks, Neighborhoods and Education Committee. “This is a great partnership agreement and a great plan.”The plan calls for the development of two early learning networks – one each in southeast and southwest Seattle – with an expansion to include Seattle’s Central Area after the first year of the Levy. The plan provides funding for the school district to retain family support workers who will assist elementary students in need of social service related assistance in order to be ready to learn and to close the achievement gap. For middle school students, it will establish four innovation sites in southeast and southwest Seattle that will combine multiple programs including after-school activities and provide services at non-innovation middle school sites based on need. Other elements of the plan include: support for high-risk middle and high school youth as provided by Seattle Team for Youth; funding for schools and community based organizations to provide family involvement programs; and student health services aimed at providing access to primary care for high school students and some middle school students in need.More information and copies of the legislation and the implementation plan can be found at: http://www.seattle.gov/council/citizeninfo.htm # # #Watch the Seattle City Council in action on Seattle Channel 21 and visit the Council Website at www.cityofseattle.net/council Also, you can watch Council meetings and Public Hearings live on the web at www.cityofseattle.net/council-live.htm