2026 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy Renewal

Overview

The current Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP) is a $619 million-dollar investment in Seattle's youth approved by voters in November 2018. The FEPP levy is intended to build a better future for Seattle students by investing in programs that positively impact academic achievement with a focus on high-need students experiencing significant barriers to learning. The levy funds three main areas:

• Early learning, including childcare and preschool, to ensure children are kindergarten ready. 
• Academic and health care support for K-12 students.
• Access to a two-year college degree or a path to the trades for all Seattle Public School graduates.

On April 23, 2025, Mayor Bruce Harrell released a $1.3 billion proposal for a 2026 levy renewal.

The Mayor’s proposal will now be reviewed by the Seattle City Council’s Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The Committee includes all nine Councilmembers and is chaired by Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4). The Committee will:

• Review current and future educational investments
• Consider and deliberate on the Executive’s proposal 
• Decide on the final levy renewal package that will be placed on the November 2025 ballot for consideration by Seattle voters

Select Committee on Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy schedule

The Select Committee on the FEPP Levy had its first meeting on April 10, 2025. A final vote on the levy renewal package is expected by the middle of June 2025. 

How to make your voice heard

The Select Committee on the FEPP Levy Renewal will host a public hearing on Monday, May 12, 2025 at City Hall.

• You can submit your comments and questions to Councilmembers via email. Addressing your message to council@seattle.gov will send it to all nine council offices.
• You can give public comment at any of the meetings of the Select Committee on the FEPP Levy renewal. This webpage has more information about how you can sign up.

History of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy 

Seattle residents have shown their commitment to children and youth by passing six education levies since 1990. In early 1990, then-Mayor Norm Rice convened an education summit and planning effort to recognize the City’s role in supporting students. Participants recommended services focusing on making children safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Voters passed the Families and Education Levies in 1990, 1997, 2004 and 2011. In 2014, a separate levy for preschool programs was passed. In 2018, the Families and Education and Seattle Preschool levies were combined, the Seattle Promise program was added and the result was the current Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy - otherwise known as FEPP.

The FEPP levy funds: 

• High-quality early learning through subsidized childcare and preschool programs to ensure children are kindergarten ready. 
• K-12 academic and other support services, such as summer learning opportunities, and health care to promote success in elementary through high school, and college and career readiness. This includes 29 School-Based Health Centers giving all students access to medical and mental health care.
• Access to a two-year college degree, or trade certificate, for all Seattle Public School graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Didn’t the city just pass two large education levies?
  • No, the City did not just pass two education levies. On Feb. 11, 2025, voters passed two Seattle Public School (SPS) levies that will fund SPS exclusively. These are not City of Seattle levies. It is important to note that SPS is a separate entity from the City of Seattle and the City does not have any operational or fiscal oversight of SPS.   
  • The Seattle Public Schools Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O), is approximately $747 million and will be collected from 2026-2028.  According to Seattle Public Schools, the EP&O levy funds programs, services, staff, and day-to-day operations that are not fully covered by the State. Examples of what this levy funds are: salaries, special education, student meals, student transportation, athletics, arts, music, and drama.
  • The Seattle Public Schools Building Excellence Levy was also on the February 2025, ballot. This $1.8 billion levy, which will last from 2026-2031, will fund school buildings and student technology. Examples of specific funding areas are: maintenance and renovation of roofs, windows, HVAC systems, playground equipment and athletic fields. 
• What will the proposed 2026 FEPP levy pay for?
  • A continuation and robust expansion of early learning, including childcare and preschool, to ensure children are kindergarten ready. Research shows that kids have better long-term outcomes when they have access to quality childcare and preschool. 
    • Childcare: This levy will expand childcare by 800 open slots, to serve 1400 children each year. It also provides support for 5000 childcare workers, to retain qualified teachers.
    • Seattle Preschool Program: 600 seats will be added to the program for a total of 3,100 seats annually.   The Seattle Preschool Program has received three gold medals from CityHealth for high-quality programming.
  • Academic and health care support for K-12 students. It is the State’s paramount duty to fund K-12 basic education and SPS is directly responsible for providing a quality education for all students. That is why the FEPP levies support – not supplant - the State’s legal responsibility. These levy investments help Seattle Public Schools students graduate and succeed as well as provide access to medical care and mental health care - in person and virtual – to meet students’ needs. 
  • Access to a 2-year college degree. In the newer Promise investment, the City has partnered with Seattle Colleges to provide universal access to postsecondary education for ALL Seattle Public School graduates.  This includes coaching and support for enrolled students, many of whom are first-generation college students. 
  • A pathway to the trades, offering students an opportunity to receive a credential or certificate through Seattle Colleges or another accredited trade organization. 
• Why was the original levy created?
  • In early 1990, then-Mayor Norm Rice convened an education summit and planning effort to recognize the City’s role in supporting students. Participants recommended services focusing on making children safe, healthy, and ready to learn. That fall, the Council approved Ordinance 115289, submitting a ballot measure to Seattle voters “for the purpose of providing assistance to Seattle Public School students and their families for educational and developmental services, such as early childhood development, school-based student/family services, comprehensive student health services, and out-of-school youth activities.” The seven-year, $69.2 million levy, commonly known as the Families and Education Levy, was approved in November 1990 with support from 56% of the voters. 
• How can I be sure tax dollars will be spent wisely?
  • As part of the annual budget process the Seattle City Council reviews programs and outcomes. In addition, as with other levies, this levy will have a levy oversight committee (LOC) included in the legislation. The LOC is an advisory body that provides recommendations on the design and modification of programs funded by the FEPP Levy and monitors the progress of those investments in meeting intended outcomes and goals.