Councilmember Rob Johnson (District 4, Northeast Seattle) released the following statement in response to initial returns for the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Plan:
“Going back to 1990’s original Families and Education levy, Seattle has a strong history of supporting kids in our public schools. Today’s vote builds on that foundation of four successful prior ballot measures, including the 2014 passage of Seattle’s pre-K program. Thanks to the generosity of Seattle voters, thousands of low-income kids will be able to attend a high-quality pre-K program, which we know increases success in school. Around 30 Seattle Public Schools will be able to continue providing their students with critical levy-funded supports like math and reading interventionists, public health nurses, counselors, and extended learning opportunities to those students. And now, hundreds of students graduating from a Seattle Public High School will be eligible for two years of enrollment at one of our Seattle Colleges fulfilling our Seattle Promise. Seattle voters’ generosity on all of these investments, pre-K, K-12, and Promise, will continue to be focused on closing the opportunity gap and making sure that all students in our public schools are given the tools and support to thrive. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue these critical investments and can’t wait to roll up our sleeves to start working on adoption of an implementation plan.”