Seattle council committee holds public hearing on proposed $1.3 billion FEPP levy renewal

Seattle’s Select Committee on Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise opened a public hearing May 12 on council bill 120981, a proposed six‑year, $1.3 billion levy renewal intended to fund early learning, K‑12 academic and health supports, and the Seattle Promise college and career pathways program.

Director Dwayne Chapelle of the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) gave a brief overview of the mayor’s “Every Child Ready” proposal, saying the levy would expand early learning slots, bolster services for K‑12 students and sustain Seattle Promise. “This vision focuses on upstream investments and harnesses evidence, research, and what we've observed here…,” Chapelle said.

The hearing matters because FEPP funds operate as a major local source of support for preschool classrooms, after‑school providers, school‑based mental health and safety services, and post‑secondary access programs. The city’s proposal would maintain and expand those investments through a levy lid lift placed before voters in November, with a forthcoming implementation and evaluation plan to set program rules and partner eligibility.

Most public commenters urged the committee to place the levy on the ballot and to preserve or expand specific programs. Seattle Promise staff and students described the program’s role in college access and transfer pathways; University of Washington representatives and Promise advisers highlighted Path to UW transfer advising and outcomes. “Path to UW programming is unique … it removes barriers and support students in making informed decisions,” Lily Peterson said. A Seattle Promise official noted the program’s high…