The 2024-25 Budget was adopted during the School Board meeting on July 2, 2024.

Read the 2024-25 Adopted Budget

2024-25 Budget Highlights

Seattle Public Schools’ adopted General Fund Operating Budget for 2024-25 is $1.25 billion.

• On-going reductions of more than $90 million over last two years.
• 2024-25 Budget changes:
  • Central Office staffing and expense reductions
  • School staffing allocation reductions
  • Non-represented staff compensation reductions
  • Other one-time solutions
  • Convenience fees and voluntary athletic fees implementation
• A short-term interfund loan of $27.5 million was utilized to balance the budget for 2024-25 which requires repayment by June 30, 2026.
• Maintains Strategic Plan investments of $8.3 million.
• Keeps all schools open for the 2024-25 school year.

Balanced Budget

This budget was developed over the course of ten public work sessions/meetings with the Board.

Read the 2024-25 Adopted Budget

2024-25 Budget Summary

Enrollment

Seattle Public Schools enrollment for 2024-25 is projected at 47,656 (annual average full-time equivalent). For the 2024-25 school year, Seattle Public Schools’ per-pupil expenditures are projected to be $26,292.

Strategic Plan Investments

Seattle Public Schools is guided by its five-year Strategic Plan “Seattle Excellence.” Strategic Plan Investments of $8.3 million focus on the strategic plan goals for third grade reading, seventh grade math, and College and Career Readiness for students of color who are furthest from educational justice.

No School Closures for 2024-25

This budget keeps all schools open for the 2024-25 school year. The District chose to delay consideration of school closures by one year to ensure a thoughtful and community-inclusive process.

Budget Changes

• Central Office staffing and expenses reductions
• School staffing allocations reductions
• Non-represented staff compensation reductions
• Other one-time solutions
• Convenience fees and voluntary athletic fees implementation

Capital Budget

• Five new school buildings opened in 2023: Kimball Elementary, Viewlands Elementary, Van Asselt Interim Site, West Seattle Elementary, and James Baldwin Elementary.
• Five school buildings are scheduled to open Fall 2025: Asa Mercer Middle School, John Muir Elementary, John Rogers Elementary, Montlake Elementary, and Rainer Beach High School.
• Twenty new elementary playgrounds are under construction.

Budget Presentation During June 26 School Board Meeting

Looking Ahead

The district projects an on-going resource gap into the future and is working to stabilize the system through system changes and increases in resources.

Some areas of focus for the coming years are:

• Well-Resourced Schools transition
• Improved funding for Special Education
• Improved funding and implementation of efficiencies in transportation & other support activities
• Labor contracts negotiations with union partners
• Additional reductions and efficiencies

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Budget Development Documents

2024-25 Recommended Budget

2024-25 School Allocations (“Purple Book”)

School Budget Development Instructions 2024-25 (“Gold Book”)

Weighted Staffing Standards (WSS) Allocation Model

The Weighted Staffing Standards (WSS) model is on pages 2-13 of the Schools’ Funding Allocation 2024-25 report (aka “Purple Book”). A work group made up of staff meet regularly to review the model and make recommendations on any adjustments.

• October 10, 2023 – WSS Meeting Notes
• December 14, 2023 – WSS Meeting Notes
• February 13, 2024 – WSS Meeting Notes
• April, 2024 – WSS Meeting Notes
• May 21, 2024 – WSS Meeting Notes
• October 28, 2024 – WSS Meeting Notes

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Development Timeline for 2024-25 Budget