Frequently Asked Questions about BTA V

This page includes frequently asked questions, 答案, 关于大厦, 技术, and 学者/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V). This levy will be on the ballot in February 2022 along with the Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O).

税金额

How much will the BTA V levy cost?

If approved, BTA V would raise $783 million over six years.

• This would result in taxes of about 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023, the first year it would be collected.
• The tax rate typically goes down in future years because the value of Seattle homes goes up.
  • Estimated rate in 2024: 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value
  • Estimated rate in 2025: 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value

Why is BTA V more than BTA IV was?

It costs more for construction and materials now than in 2016, and the amount of funding included for technology is twice as much as in the previous levy. This is also the first time that critical maintenance could be included in a capital levy.

每1元征款税率,000 of assessed value is just 4 cents more than the levy amount when voters approved BTA IV in 2016.

Why is funding for technology higher in this levy than it was in earlier levies?

This is mostly because SPS distributed laptop computers to every student and teacher during the pandemic. The additional devices increase costs of not only 设备, 还有支持, wi-fi等基础设施, 和软件. The state doesn’t provide much funding for technology, so the capital levy provides most funding for technology in SPS.

清洁能源

How does BTA V support the district’s commitment to clean energy?

如获批准，btav:

• Provides $12 million for clean energy projects that will be recommended by the 清洁能源 Task Force.
• 提供79美元.6 million to continue existing capital levy-funded work to improve energy efficiency and resource conservation in our schools.
  • LED and other highly efficient light sources with controlled use such as timers and occupancy sensors ($8.400万)
  • More energy-efficient HVAC 设备 that can be centrally monitored and controlled ($36.800万)
  • Funding for the retro-commissioning team that conducts building tune ups to ensure building systems are working as efficiently as possible ($3 million)
  • Windows, 门, 屋顶s, and insulation upgrades or replacement ($31.400万)

项目选择

项目是如何选定的??

• SPS receives a consultant report on the condition of school buildings
• Consultants also develop cost estimates
• Based on the condition scores, SPS assigns a priority level to each project
• Refine the list using Board policy and Board Guiding Principles for BTA V, which include using an equity lens
• Identify technology needs based on Guiding Principles, SPS技术计划, and requirements prioritized in partnership with the Information 技术 Advisory Committee (ITAC).
• Recommendation to School Board — Priority 1 projects

建筑项目

Why aren’t there any school renovations or replacements included in BTA V?

BTA levies focus on small renovations, 主要维护, and improvement projects in school buildings for the buildings part of the levy.

SPS还有另一项资本税, 卓越建筑奖(BEX), that includes major school renovations and replacements. The next BEX levy is expected to be on the ballot in 2025.

What are retro-commissioning personnel?

These are the staff members who form the 楼宇调校小组. They regularly test and fix (or make sure a specialist fixes) all 设备 and systems in SPS schools to ensure they are running efficiently.

What are those other items that are included in BTA V Buildings section that aren’t specific projects?

These are other costs and projects that are allowed to be funded by capital levies.

Recurring Equipment and Planning Costs

• Maintenance 设备 for facilities staff to use in maintaining schools
• Grounds 设备 for grounds staff to use in maintaining school grounds
• Food service 设备 for culinary services staff to use in preparing and serving student meals
• Building and site 安全 设备 includes alarms, 击剑, 相机, and other 安全 tools that arise
• Electrification of vehicle fleet will help cover costs to move SPS’s district trucks, 货车, and cars to electric vehicles including installing the charging stations needed for those types of vehicles
• Short and intermediate capacity/portable management pays for costs associated with moving or adding portables when schools need more classroom space
• Move/BEX VI Levy Planning costs:
  • Move costs include paying to move school communities to interim sites and back during construction, to move 设备 and materials from classrooms in preparation for construction work, 然后再回来, and for unpacking and setting up new classroom and school fixtures and furniture.
  • Levy planning costs include studies of building conditions, 总体规划, cost estimates for construction projects, SEPA程序, levies information development and communication, and all other costs associated with planning a levy and placing it on the ballot.

Major Preventative and Critical Maintenance

• Facilities staff and materials for maintenance of schools and other facilities.

管理及人员编制

• Covers the costs of running the district capital programs, including paying staff and providing benefits.

债务服务

• The last payment on the purchase and renovation of the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

纪念体育场

SPS拥有纪念体育场吗?

是的. SPS owns and operates the stadium.

Why do the stands at 纪念体育场 need to be replaced?

• The grandstands were built more than 70 years ago — replacements are needed so the stadium can continue to be used for high school athletics, 为毕业典礼, 由社区. 
• 建筑系统(基础), 屋顶, 墙, 窗户, 门, 电, 采暖通风, 照明) are in unsatisfactory or poor condition.
• Seismic upgrades needed to improve earthquake safety will likely require demolition and replacement of stands

Why do you need to do the other work that is included in the levy for 纪念体育场?

• The synthetic turf field needs replacement (end-of-life on normal replacement schedule) to keep it usable by our high school athletic teams
• Field 照明 upgrades will supply more energy-efficient 照明, 减少场外灯光影响, 更好的照明控制

Is 纪念体育场 a city landmark?

• 纪念体育场 has not been designated at landmark by the Seattle Landmarks Board. SPS nominates all district buildings older than 25 years to be considered for landmark status when a project begins.

What will happen to the Memorial Wall if you replace the stadium?

• The Memorial Wall would be preserved.

How does the agreement between the City of Seattle and SPS fit in with replacement of 纪念体育场?

• 作为体育场的主人, SPS is planning replacement if voters approve the BTA V capital levy in February 2022. The replacement would be a stadium that is similar to stadiums at other school districts and would continue to meet SPS needs for athletics and district events.
• The letter of intent means that if the BTA V levy is approved by voters, the City may partner with us to provide a venue that can be used for other purposes when SPS isn’t using it. SPS would continue to own the stadium.

技术项目

What does the 技术 funding include?

Capital levies pay for 85% of the district’s technology department budget, 包括软件和许可证, 设备, 人员配备, 技术基础设施.

• 学生学习和支持: such as computers for students and teachers, classroom audio/visual 设备, 数字资产支持
• 基础设施: 包括网络安全, 数据中心, networks including wi-fi in schools, 安全, and telephone 设备 and service.
• 区系统:包括设备, 软件, and licenses for systems such as accounting, 人力资源, 项目管理, and student/parent tools such as PowerSchool and The Source.

The levy also includes funding for technology professional development for teachers and staff.

学者/田径项目

What are Special Education Program Modifications and Program Placement?

These are funds set aside for changes that might need to be made to school buildings to meet the needs of a student receiving special education services. Program placement dollars are used if building modifications need to be made for a change in school programs. 

What kind of projects are included in art 设备 and science 设备?

Science includes adding or upgrading science classrooms/science labs. Arts projects include stagecraft 设备 such as rigging, 照明, and curtains; band or choir room acoustical treatments; and replacing kilns.

Will improvements to school sites and playgrounds include adding more green areas?

We are aware that green spaces have a positive impact on education programs. Playgrounds are on a 15-year upgrade cycle. As we evaluate them, we look for areas where asphalt can be removed.

• Removing asphalt helps reduce our stormwater costs.
• Reducing asphalt and supplying more vegetation will help reduce heat islands.

What is the $5 million under Athletic Fields & 现场外灯 & Equipment for 林肯 高中?

The funding is for development of an athletic field for use by 林肯 高中. SPS is exploring all options for development of an athletic field, including the purchase of property near 林肯 高中 for use as an athletic field. While SPS has had some early conversations with Seattle Parks and 娱乐 about options, no proposals have been made for use of city parks.

Can you convert Wallingford Park into an artificial turf athletic field for 林肯 高中 and 汉密尔顿国际 中学?

No proposals have been made to convert Wallingford Park. The park property is owned by the city of Seattle and is operated by Seattle Parks & 娱乐.