KPLU Local News
(2010-02-08)
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The old John Hay school would be brought into active service through Prop. 1 levy funds. It's one of five schools on the list for reopening. The ballot measure is one of more than a hundred around the state being decided on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.
Gary Davis photo.
The people working to pass Seattle's levies echo a theme that could apply to any school district with a levy on the ballot. "This election is particularly critical because of the state cuts to education that came last year, and the ones we're anticipating for this year," says Sharon Rodgers, spokeswoman for Schools First, the campaign working to approve Propositions 1 & 2. Both measures would replace expiring levies. Even if they pass, Seattle schools still face about 35 million dollars in budget cuts, due in part to the loss of state funds.
Against this fiscal background, standing up to oppose a school vote isn't very popular. But that's what activist Melissa Westbrook decided to do. "We can't levy our way out of it," says Westbrook.
The schools activist keeps a close eye on the district through her blog, Save Our Schools. She supports the operations levy, Proposition 2, which she says is too important to fail. It funds a quarter of the district's budget. But she says voters should reject Proposition 1, the capital levy. Westbrook says it doesn't do enough to address the $500 million maintenance backlog that's piled up over the years.
"That's not normal for a district, it's not good for a district. We can't build our way out of it and can't fix our way out of it through levies," argues Westbrook.
District leaders admit the problem is big. Facilities director Fred Stephens says the maintenance budget has been cut by 40% over the past 15 years. "The employees who were there, who did that work, those positions were cut. And so that work didn't get done as it should have gotten done."
Stephens says Proposition 1 does include 18 million dollars for preventive maintenance, an amount he says the district could fund a crew to start chipping away at the backlog. Of that work, Stephens says, "It's been absent from the district far too many years."
Melissa Westbrook says the plan isn't enough. She adds the district needs to do better by taxpayers, who she says have approved major investments in new construction, but whose investments aren't honored by proper maintenance.
"Homeowners know this. It costs 89 cents for a washer for a drip in your faucet. You let it go too long and pretty soon it's a flood in your basement, and that costs you a lot more money," says Westbrook.
She says a 'no' vote on Proposition 1 would be a wake-up call for the district to revamp its plans to deal with mounting backlog. It's a calculated risk that depends on who is reading the political tea leaves. Supporters say it's the kids who pay the price of a defeat. That's because the levy would reopen five closed buildings needed to handle enrollment under its new neighborhood schools plan. Without it, backers say some schools will hold classes in gymnasiums, music and art classrooms, as the district deals with overcrowding. Gary Davis, KPLU News, Seattle.
For more information:
Levy information from Seattle Public Schools
Save Our Schools Seattle Community Blog
Schools First Seattle
King County Elections February Ballot info
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