Building on Seattle’s 35-year legacy of successful education levies, this six-year investment is a commitment to support children, youth, and families at every stage of life
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined Councilmember Maritza Rivera, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), and education, labor, and community partners to sign legislation that will place the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy on Seattle voters’ ballots in November 2025.
If approved by voters, the 6-year, $1.3 billion levy will double access to affordable childcare, expand mental health and student safety services in schools, provide up to two years of free tuition at Seattle Colleges for all graduating seniors at public high schools, and expand career pathways to help more students enter the skilled trades. The FEPP levy proposal was unanimously approved by the City Council last week.
“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,” said Mayor Harrell. “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. In partnership with Select Committee Chair Maritza Rivera and the City Council, we’re putting forward a bold proposal to voters that reflects our One Seattle values of equity, safety, and opportunity for all children and families in our city.”
In April, Mayor Harrell announced his Every Child Ready initiative, which included the renewal of the FEPP levy, with a goal of making every child Ready to Start kindergarten by investing in affordable, high-quality early learning opportunities, Ready to Learn in K-12 by creating safe, healthy school environments and expanded learning opportunities, and Ready to Launch into college and careers with free tuition at Seattle Colleges and job training opportunities.
Highlights of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy include:
$658.2 million for high-quality early learning and childcare opportunities for Seattle’s youngest learners and families, including:
- Childcare Expansion: More than doubling access to affordable childcare slots to 1,400 a year and providing direct payments to support the retention of 5,000 childcare workers citywide.
- Nationally Acclaimed Preschool Program: Expanding the award-winning Seattle Preschool Program to 3,100 seats, improving access for families across the city and ensuring Seattle’s youngest learners are ready to enter kindergarten.
$510.7 million for K-12 academic and enrichment supports with a focus on student wellness and safety, including:
- Youth Mental Health Services: Bolstering youth mental health services for Seattle students by establishing 5 new school-based health centers, expanded staffing, and telehealth support.
- School Safety: Expanding school safety investments in and around schools in partnership with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and community-based organizations.
$82.4 million for post-secondary education and skill-building opportunities to prepare recent graduates for successful careers, including:
- Seattle Promise: Free tuition and expenses for up to two years at Seattle Colleges, available to all Seattle public school graduates. The program is estimated to serve 1,475 scholars annually.
- Apprenticeships and Workforce Development: Expanding Promise’s Path to Trades program to help SPS graduates enter careers in skilled trades.
“I was proud to lead this levy proposal through the City Council. These investments will provide concrete, long-lasting, positive outcomes in the lives of children. That is why, for the last 35 years, Seattle voters have come to value and trust the Families, Education and Early Learning levy – it benefits kids and directly supports kids’ educational achievement,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera. “This levy will provide critical investments in early learning by dramatically increasing access to childcare and preschool for our working families, and deliver deeply needed K-12 academic, health, and safety supports – including mental health care. And it will continue universal access to a free two-year college degree, and more pathways to the trades through the popular Seattle Promise program. This levy seems even more critical today given the federal government’s attack on our children and working families. It is an investment in Seattle’s children, which is an investment in Seattle’s future.”
Research continually shows that investments in early learning and education have long-term economic, health, and social benefits for children and society. The proposed levy balances these investments with affordability and would cost the median assessed value Seattle homeowner $0.61 per $1,000 assessed value, totaling about $656 a year.
Mayor Harrell signed the legislation at South Seattle College’s Georgetown campus which is the region’s premier workforce education and training center, serving over 3,000 apprentices and journey-level workers annually in 50 different trades.
What People Are Saying:
Dwane Chappelle, Director, Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning
“The Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy has been a critical source of funding for early learning, K–12 supports, and college access in Seattle. Since its approval by voters in 2018, the levy has helped expand access to high-quality preschool, strengthen school-based partnerships focused on student well-being and academic achievement, and provide thousands of students with tuition-free pathways to college through Seattle Promise. The levy has played a pivotal role in advancing educational opportunity for Seattle’s youth. Every child in our city deserves a strong start, a supportive learning environment, and a clear path to a successful life.”
Fred Podesta, Acting Superintendent and Chief Operations Officer, Seattle Public Schools
“Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is grateful for our longstanding partnership with the City of Seattle. This collaboration is more than just a working relationship—it is a shared commitment to the success and well-being of every student in our city. The FEPP Levy represents a meaningful investment in the future of Seattle youth—supporting early learning, academic enrichment, student wellness, and college scholarships. These are the building blocks of a stronger, more equitable Seattle.”
Dr. Monica Brown, President, South Seattle Colleges
“With this national standard-setting levy and a promise program hailed as a national model, we’re making sure every child in Seattle is ready—not just for college, but for career. We did this work together, taxpayers and voters, city officials and administrators, preschool, K-12, college and university educators. Together, we are creating a future full of hope.”
Dr. Faisal Khan, Director, Public Health – Seattle/King County
“I am grateful that so many people are excited to support School-Based Health Centers, which are one of the smartest ideas in health care. The investments in these Centers have shown to improve not only student health, but also academic achievement. The city levy helped innovate the first of these health clinics, and we have nurtured it into a network of 29 clinics – located on school campuses, where access is easy – that allow students to get medical care, including vaccinations and sports physicals, along with mental health care. The partnership between the school district, city, Public Health—Seattle & King County and community-based health providers creates more equitable access to care. Renewing the levy will maintain these much-needed services, including new mental health investments, and it solidifies a commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the young people in our community.”
Dr. Shaquita Bell, Senior Medical Director, Odessa Brown Children’s Hospital
“The FEPP Levy provides crucial support to our children, their families, and folks providing childcare services. This FEPP levy proposal will make a meaningful investment into the lives and health of the Seattle community. I applaud Mayor Harrell’s unwavering advocacy for our children and community.”
Susan Yang, Executive Director, Denise Louie Education Center
“The Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise levy has been instrumental in supporting the high-quality, accessible, and affordable early learning programs that many Seattle families rely on. Early learning is more than education—it’s an investment in the future of our children and the wellbeing of our communities. We’re pleased that this levy will also continue direct retention payments to childcare workers, providing critical support to this invaluable workforce who are nurturing our children. Renewing this important levy ensures we can continue to build bright futures – for children, families, and our city as a whole.”
Angelia Hicks-Maxie, CEO and Executive Director, Tiny Tots Development Center
“The Seattle Preschool Program has benefited so many children that have walked through our doors at Tiny Tots Development Center. I have witnessed students who entered timid and shy with limited verbal skills and leave ready for kindergarten prepared. They gain confidence, creativity, and essential life skills through hands-on learning, structured play, and nurturing guidance. SPP has helped children develop early literacy, math, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.”
Ray Dumas, Business Agent, OPCMIA Local 528
“This levy’s transformative Path to Trades programs expands access to apprenticeship training and the trades, opening the door to life changing opportunities. These investments are key to developing a more diverse, skilled workforce and creating living-wage home grown career opportunities.”
Bryan Johnson, President, Iron Workers Local Union 86
“The trades are essential to building Seattle’s future and provide good, living wage jobs. By increasing opportunities for Seattle students to enter apprenticeships and skilled training, we’re supporting better economic opportunity for all Seattle students.”
Roxanne Christian, Interim President, Alliance for Education
“The Alliance for Education was formed 30 years ago to bring vital resources into public education. The FEPP Levy renewal reflects that same vision—mobilizing community support for Seattle’s students, families, and educators. The FEPP Levy is essential to making transformative investments in early learning, equitably resourcing our teachers and classrooms, and strengthening partnerships between schools and community-based organizations to help students thrive. As a partner in this work for more than three decades, we deeply value sustained, community-centered funding that advances educational justice and intentional support for students furthest from opportunity. We are proud to support the Mayor’s proposal to renew this critical levy.”
Elizabeth Gaines, Founder and CEO, Children’s Funding Project
“Seattle’s approach to coordinated investments for children and youth of all ages represents a north star that communities nationwide seek to emulate. This renewal will ensure that Seattle remains a vibrant, innovative, and equitable community where families and children will thrive for generations.”