The state legislature has passed a new capital budget, and about $20 million of it is headed to Seattle schools — mostly to schools here in North Seattle.
The money is earmarked to “relieve some of the most critical capacity and safety needs created by a decade of extraordinary enrollment growth,” the district said in a press release. “North Seattle schools are experiencing some of the worst overcrowding.”
Of the funding, $6.7 million will go toward adding 10 classrooms to West Woodlands Elementary School. The next biggest chunk, $6.6 million will complement the $30.4 million in local funding to reopen Magnolia Elementary, a historic landmark that has been closed since 2007. Another $1.9 million will complement $39.2 million in local funding for the ongoing expansion of Loyal Heights Elementary (pictured above from the construction webcam).
“I’m particularly pleased by the historic level of funding devoted to invaluable school construction projects, such as the reopening of Magnolia Elementary in 2019, that will build a better Washington for our children and continue to make the 36th Legislative District a great place to live and work,” said Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who represents the Northwest Seattle area.
Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign the budget measure.