Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy 6-Year Implementation and Evaluation Plan - June 10, 2026

The Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy 6-Year Implementation and Evaluation Plan (I&E Plan) met on June 10, 2026, from 9:32 AM to 11:50 AM in the Council Chamber. Chair Maritza Rivera presided. The meeting featured a detailed executive presentation from the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) outlining the proposed plan for the $1.3 billion levy, which was approved by 80% of Seattle voters in November 2025. The plan covers three investment domains: Ready to Start (birth–5), Ready to Learn (K–12), and Ready to Launch (post-secondary/career). No votes were taken; the meeting was a briefing and discussion for committee members.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janet Boyette (school nurse, Seattle Public Schools) described urgent unmet vision care needs, citing a survey showing 50% of referred students did not receive care and that untreated vision problems impact reading and graduation rates. She advocated for school-based vision services, noting successful models in Baltimore.
• Remon Basha (Feast, high school student advocacy organization) expressed strong support for the inclusion of universal free school meals in the levy, calling it “extremely monumental.” He emphasized that free meals remove stigma and improve mental and physical health, but cautioned that food quality must also be addressed.
• Lisa Bonine (United Way of King County) voiced strong support for universal free school meals, stating they reduce childhood hunger, stigma, and household financial pressure, and are an equity investment for families just above eligibility thresholds.
• Waylon Robert (Political Director, Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, Seattle) expressed appreciation for the proposed $200,000 for a path to maritime trades program, noting a national mariner deficit of 1,800 and high entry costs. He said maritime provides living-wage jobs ($80,000–$120,000) and urged continued support.

Discussion Items

• Executive Presentation of the FEP Levy I&E Plan: Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt, DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle, and Marissa Rousselle (DEEL) presented the plan, which was informed by 26 formal evaluations, 53 survey projects, 88 focus groups, and over 2,000 site visits since the 2018 levy. They highlighted three domains:
  • Ready to Start: $75% of this domain’s funding goes to preschool and child care. Key innovations: increased CCAP subsidies (average $1,300/month per child), a Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) extended-day/full-year model (294 children receiving 10 free hours/day), and an SPP voucher pilot (100 families/year, up to $10,000/child). The goal is to close a 43-percentage-point kindergarten-readiness gap. A universal preschool feasibility study will begin in year one.
  • Ready to Learn: Largest investments are in health and expanded learning (80% of K–12 funds). New investments include the evidence-based community schools model, opportunity-based mentoring, restorative practices expanded to community settings, and free school meals at up to 53 schools (projected to serve 6,800 students). The two-year meal program bridges to anticipated state funding; if state funds do not materialize, the oversight committee and council will be consulted.
  • Ready to Launch: $113 million over six years, with 60% for Seattle Promise. New investments: Path to Trades ($14 million, expected to engage students from middle school), a short-term IT training stipend program ($500 per participant, 65 scholars/year), and Pathways to Public Service careers (stipend-enhanced cadet/explorer programs, 90 young adults/year). Councilmember Saka praised the responsiveness to council priorities, noting the plan explicitly addresses many of them.
• Councilmember Questions and Feedback:
  • Councilmember Kettle emphasized the importance of interdepartmental collaboration (e.g., Parks), middle school sports and music, and the health of Seattle Colleges. He expressed strong support for Path to Trades and Path to Public Service, particularly maritime and police recruitment from within communities.
  • Councilmember Saka thanked DEEL for a “master class” in council engagement, confirming nearly all 2026 council priorities were incorporated. He asked about free school meals implementation; DEEL confirmed it is designed as a two-year bridge to state funding, with a return to council if needed.
  • Councilmember Lynn inquired about alignment with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Colleges amid budget pressures. DEEL noted a strong partnership with Superintendent Ben and Chancellor Rosie, with coordinated timelines to avoid disruption. She also raised the need to connect housing and land-use planning with educational investments to address concentrated poverty.
  • Councilmember Rinck asked about restorative practices; DEEL confirmed an increase in investment (consolidating two funding streams) and new implementation standards. She also asked about equity; DEEL described a competitive process that scales investment based on school-level need and requires evidence-based proposals.
  • Councilmember Foster expressed concern about the sustainability of the two-year free school meal investment if state funding does not appear, but acknowledged DEEL’s plan to consult the oversight committee. She also asked about the SPP voucher pilot; DEEL explained it will initially prioritize geographic need (Council Districts 1 and 5 had the most waitlists) and can be expanded if unused. She noted the homelessness prevention investment ($4.2M over six years, serving 90 students/year) and confirmed it is a prevention-focused program.
  • Councilmember Juarez thanked presenters for using the term “domain” to emphasize city responsibility for children’s success, and noted she will follow up on tracking waitlist demand across districts.

Key Outcomes

• No votes or formal decisions were taken at this meeting. The committee received the executive’s proposed I&E Plan for discussion.
• The committee schedule was set: next meeting on June 30, 2026, will include policy considerations and potential amendments from council central staff; July 8 for possible amendment votes; July 22 reserved for final vote if needed.
• The plan includes 26 planned evaluations across domains (9 in Ready to Start, 10 in Ready to Learn, 7 in Ready to Launch), with no evaluations in year five to prepare for the next levy renewal.
• Competitive funding processes will begin in 2026 for expanded learning, mental health, and summer food programs; most other grants will be awarded by Q1 2027 for years 2–6.
• The I&E Plan is required by ordinance and establishes spending priorities, grant methodology, and outcome measures; it does not reopen the ballot measure's core commitments.