Seattle Schools wants $48 million

Less than five months after Seattle voters approved school levies worth more than $700 million, they’ll be asked to reach in their pockets for another $48.2 million

This year the legislature lifted the levy lid on the amount of money school districts can request of voters.

“We can not leave this money on the table, because our kids need it,” says Holly Ferguson, director of policy and government for Seattle Schools.

Among other things, the levy in November would restore about $6 million worth of textbooks and teacher training programs that were cut from this year’s budget.

“All those things we need to make sure our kids are receiving the most up-to-date education possible,” she says.

Ferguson expects the board will approve the special levy request at their meeting Wednesday night. Seattle voters will see it on the November General Election ballot.

A number of districts in the state are asking voters for more money. Everett, Edmonds, Northshore and Marysville will have levy elections in August. Other districts are waiting to see how taxpayers respond to yet another request for money to support schools.