The Constellation Center job training academy is expected to open on Capitol Hill in 2027
Mayor Bruce Harrell last week signed legislation that will put the proposed $1.3 billion school levy renewal on the fall ballot.
In November, Seattle voters will weigh in on the increased tax and boosted spending plan for childcare and preschool, K-12 academic supports, and the Seattle Promise program.
$235 million earmarked for school safety investments in the plan has become one center of debate as the city weighs a possible return of Seattle Police officers assigned to campuses. CHS reported here on the proposal to add a “School Engagement Officer” on Garfield High School’s campus as soon as this fall.
A key amendment from Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck calls for focused spending to “guard against the school-to-prison pipeline” by focusing on diversion and social programs but changes by her fellow council members leave room for the return of the SPD School Engagement Officers.
The mayor’s office says the renewal would have a “$654 average annual impact to the owner of a median value home ($1.1M).”
“This levy is a powerful investment in Seattle’s future – giving every child in our city the strong start they deserve and setting them up for long-term success in school and life,” Harrell said in the announcement of the signed legislation. “I’m especially pleased that this levy will double access to affordable childcare and support new apprenticeship and career pathways for recent graduates, easing the cost pressures on working families while also helping build the next generation of skilled workers in our city.”
Seattle’s increased efforts to address job training needs will include the Constellation Center now under construction at Broadway and Pine to create eight stories of affordable housing and a Capitol Hill homeless youth “education and employment academy.” The project is expected to open in 2027.
Seattle’s 2025 election summer, meanwhile, is chock full. In addition to setting the major races for the mayor’s office, Seattle City Attorney, and the two citywide seats on the City Council, plus the King County Executive’s office, voters will also decide on a proposed $45 million renewal of the voucher program in August’s primary.
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Just to note, Seattle Schools, which is completely strapped for cash, allows the City to use their classrooms – for free – for the pre-k program. The City wants ever more space and takes some classrooms means less childcare available at some schools.
The City should have stats on how that pre-k program is doing as well as the community college program.
SPS wants more money, but still hasn’t decided how to downsize and balance its budget ?! Just take another $1k per homeowner per year and keep going I guess.
Anybody that would give this school district more money is crazy.
I know… The worst school district in the region lol. So proud to be a Seattleite aren’t we?
Expand the Seattle Promise program to include all Seattle residents graduating from high school rather than restricting it only to those who graduated from Seattle Public Schools. Barring that, place an income limit on the benefit so those who are wealthy but send their kids to public high schools are ineligible for the benefit.
Schools are a basic function that should be paid for out of the general fund. Punting it to a special levy like this just gives the legislature a green light to waste the general fund money on vanity projects. Vote no and make them prioritize things that actually matter.