Great Schools for a Great City

WHEREAS the City of Seattle has a compelling municipal interest in supporting the Seattle Public School's efforts to raise student achievement and to reduce the disparity in educational achievement that now exists between students of varying economic, ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds; and

WHEREAS the City of Seattle has a compelling municipal interest in having a school system that is a model for urban districts across the country; and

WHEREAS the City of Seattle has a compelling municipal interest in restoring music and arts to the Seattle Public Schools in support of the City's investment in music and arts as part of the cultural fabric of the city; and

WHEREAS any sustainable economic strategy begins with focusing community investments in academic achievement; and

WHEREAS the City of Seattle and its children cannot afford to sit back and idly watch the financial strangulation of the Seattle Public Schools as the School Public Schools responds with structural changes to funding challenges;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE as follows:

Section 1. Legislative Findings

a. Providing City services, including the enhancement of educational programs described in this initiative, is a City purpose.

b. The educational programs to be funded are intended to support student academic achievement and are supplemental to the basic education financed by the State of Washington and the Seattle Public Schools maintenance and operations levy, and will not displace or reduce state funding for the public schools in the Seattle School District.

c. In 1990, 1997, and 2004, the voters of Seattle approved measures that provided funding for educational services to Seattle's school children.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this measure, the following words when capitalized have the following meanings:

a. "City" means City of Seattle.

b. "Funds" means the Funds required to be spent by this Ordinance.

c. "People" means the people of the City of Seattle.

d. "Seattle Public Schools," "Seattle School District," and "School District" mean Seattle School District No. 1.

e. Secondary "core classes" means the areas of English and language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, music, and languages other than English.

Section 3. Expenditure of Funds-Amount

For the years 2008 through 2013, the City shall provide to the School District additional funding for educational programs as defined herein in an amount that is not less than the additional regular property tax levy amount authorized by Seattle voters for educational purposes.

Section 4. Expenditure of Funds-Allocation

The Funds shall be allocated as follows:

1. 75 % of the funds shall be used to provide class size relief, program enhancement and restoration of critical coursework in elementary, middle and high schools across the district. The funds will be allocated by the school district to the following three purposes:

a. To restore a comprehensive arts, drama and music program and library services for elementary, middle and high schools, including restoring instrumental music at middle and elementary schools. Funds may be used to provide materials and instruments for these purposes;

b. To target reductions in class size and/or pupil classroom teacher ratios in core classes at the secondary level and for reducing class size and/or pupil-classroom teacher ratios in elementary schools; and

c. To provide, tuition free, all-day kindergarten for all children enrolled in School District; and

2. 20 % of the funds shall be used to reduce the disparity in educational achievement that now exists between students of varying economic, ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. The funds will be allocated by the school district to the following three purposes:

a. Providing extended learning opportunities, through lengthened school days or school years and/or further reducing class size or pupil-classroom teacher ratios, to students needing additional inclass support to graduate on time and to meet state and district standards;

b. To increase student achievement by providing time for school staff to meet and focus on curriculum and teaching strategies to meet the needs of students; and

c. To provide other school-based student support, such as nurses. certificated counselors, or social workers; and

3. 5% of the funds shall be used to support classrooms, purchase teaching materials, support new teachers, and support custodial and maintenance needs for the increased operational hours and space utilization.

None of the Funds shall be used by the School District to supplant then-existing City support of students and schools; nor shall any of the Funds be used to supplant then-existing state, federal and levy funded expenditures for the purposes set out in this section.

Any Funds not expended in the year in which they are collected will be carried forward by the School District to be used in subsequent years in accordance with this Section.

Section 5. Implementation

The City shall enter into all contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes of this measure. The City shall consider raising the Funds required to be expended by this measure by increasing in accordance with Chapters 84.52 and 84.55 RCW the regular property taxes to be levied for the years 2007 through 2012, as approved by the voters. Should the voters disapprove of that increase in the regular property tax levy, this Ordinance shall not take effect.

Section 6. Oversight

The School District shall provide to the Citizens of the City and the City Council on an annual basis, beginning no later than August 31, 2009, and annually thereafter, a report on the use of the Funds and the impact of this funding upon class size, progress toward graduation, graduation rates, student attendance, student achievement, disproportionate academic underachievement based upon race, ethnicity or low socio-economic status, student and teacher turnover, and disproportionate referrals to discipline and special education based upon race, ethnicity, or low socio-economic status.

Section 7. Severability

In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this ordinance shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this ordinance or the allocations and expenditures authorized and directed herein, but this ordinance shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid provisions had not been contained herein; and any provision which shall for any reason be held by reason of its extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent permitted by law.

Section 8. Effective Date

This measure shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its passage by the City Council and approval by the Mayor (but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, then as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.20); or in accordance with City Charter Article IV, upon proclamation of the Mayor within five (5) days after the election at which it is approved by the People.