Council to debate changes to levy

How much Seattle's Families and Education Levy would be -- and what it would pay for -- will be hashed out tomorrow as City Council members debate proposals that could more than double the current $69 million levy.

The council will consider potential changes and additions to Mayor Greg Nickels' suggested $103 million package that could bump the total to $143 million. Council members will vote July 12 on the levy, which goes before Seattle residents Sept. 14.

Approved by voters in 1990 and 1997, the Families and Education Levy pays for after-school programs, health services, family support workers, early childhood development initiatives and educational support for students.

Nickels' proposal would provide financing to send 400 low-income children to preschool each year. It would more greatly emphasize financing programs linked to measurable academic success and call for school and community partnerships to help achieve that goal.

Some question the new approach, saying it would take money away from schools and could result in uneven quality of services. Others counter that community-based organizations already are providing services in many schools and can be more effective in reaching certain communities.

The more controversial provisions in Nickels' package include paying for four fewer high school nurses and eliminating $1.1 million annually given middle schools to use at their discretion.

The mayor has said his proposed levy would serve middle school and high-risk elementary students through after-school programs and is in line with the recommendations of a citizens advisory group and a levy oversight committee.

Holly Miller, chairwoman of the citizens group, said Nickels' proposal ensures that taxpayers' money would be spent on programs whose efficacy can be measured, rather than on "random acts of kindness."

The middle school allotment, Miller said, "was basically a slush fund. It was sent out to middle schools to spend however they wanted. There was no way to define what it was doing."

Middle schools use the money to pay for a variety of training, activities, counseling and intervention services, some of which are provided by community organizations.

A study conducted by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory concluded the money available to middle schools under the levy program wasn't enough to achieve its goals of increasing staff, boosting parental involvement and improving students' connection to school.

But Seattle Public Schools spokeswoman Patti Spencer said the program has improved attendance rates and driven down expulsions.

"We still feel very strongly that the money that is invested in the prevention and intervention strategies is very well spent at the middle school level," she said. "That's a time when kids are especially vulnerable."

Some council members also want financing for the middle school and the four nurse positions left intact.

City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck said there's widespread community support for continuing the middle school program. But he disagreed with Council President Jan Drago's suggestion that the levy include $514,000 for school crossing guards, a program Nickels has proposed to eliminate, but which was spared this year.

Steinbrueck said while he supports paying for crossing guards, the levy is not the right financing source. "I will fight that one tooth and nail," he said. "It doesn't belong in the Families and Education Levy and could potentially hurt the levy because it dilutes the purpose."

Councilman Richard Conlin is proposing to move some education initiatives paid by the city's general budget to the levy fund, for fear they'll be cut as the city deals with an expected $25 million deficit in next year's budget.

His proposal would increase the total levy amount to $143 million, which would raise the average homeowner's contribution from about $37 a year under the current levy to $80 annually.

Nickels' proposal would cost the average homeowner $58.

A March telephone survey commissioned by the city found that of 500 Seattle homeowners polled, just 59 percent would support a levy of $120 million.

Given the traditional drop of 5 to 10 points that occurs between polling and voting results, the study warned, a $120 million levy may not garner the 51 percent "yes" vote needed to pass.

Conlin, however, is optimistic. The city's total assessed property value has doubled since the levy was first approved, he said, and household income is up 81 percent.

"You can make an argument that we're tapping way less of this community's resources, even if we increase the levy to $143 million," he said.

"My impression is that most voters ... will take a deep breath and say, 'Yeah, if it's worth it, we'll do it' "

P-I reporter Deborah Bach can be reached at 206-448-8197 or deborahbach@seattlepi.com

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