Council Puts Families And Education Levy Into Action

On Monday, the Seattle 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. “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.