For the next few weeks, the Seattle School District will try to convince voters to approve $887 million in school bonds and levies, of which, more than $125 million would fund projects in West Seattle.

Up for approval in a special election Feb. 6, a $490 million capital bond (Building Excellence III) that would pay for replacement and renovation of seven schools, including Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth High School. It would also fund improvements to indoor air quality, replacement of water piping, and seismic and technology upgrades.

About $125 million would go towards rebuilding Denny and renovations to Sealth High. Though the schools would remain autonomous, Denny would be built closer to Sealth with some new, shared facilities, such as language labs and a library.

New turf at the Denny-Sealth athletic complex, waterline replacement at Sanislo Elementary and $800,000 for renovation of Hiawatha field on California Avenue Southwest, are also on the bill.

A $397 million programs and operations levy is on the ballot as well. It would replace an expiring, three-year levy voters approved in 2004 that provides funding for teachers, librarians, counselors and full-day kindergarten, among other services.

The levy makes up about 23 percent of the district's general budget and helps fill the gap for basic education needs not fully funded by the state.

Both measures require 60 percent of voter approval to pass. At least 40 percent of the total number of voters who cast a ballot in the November 2006 election must vote this February to validate the vote.

If either fails, the measures can be resubmitted to voters only once per calendar year.

Voters have approved operations levies every three years for the past three decades with one exception.

In 1976, an operations levy failed the vote twice. As a result, there were massive teacher layoffs and arts and music programs were cut drastically, said Marjorie Skotheim of Schoolsfirst!, a campaign organization that works to pass Seattle school levies.

"The results were catastrophic," said Skotheim. "It was absolutely disastrous for this school district."

Several capitol measures didn't pass in the late 1980s and early 1990s either. Skotheim admits she's a little nervous this time around.

Will voters be willing to support the district amidst the search for a new superintendent, five School Board members facing possible recall, declining enrollment, a looming budget shortfall and widespread dissatisfaction with the school closure and consolidation process?

Education activist and parent Melissa Westbrook said she plans to vote 'no' on the capitol measure because the current list of schools is "unfair and inequitable."

"I would feel relief if it failed... because I think it's the wrong list," said Westbrook, who served on the district's community advisory committee on school consolidations and closures this past spring. "I think there may be cause for concern."

Westbrook said it doesn't make sense that the New School at South Shore, a K-8 in Rainier Valley, is on the list to receive a $65 million rebuild when there are other buildings in worse condition that have waited longer for improvements. For instance, the Genesee Hill building that houses the Pathfinder K-8 alternative program.

"If I was doing the list, I would have put Pathfinder on it," said Westbrook, "They've been in an old, run down building for a lot longer than the New School."

New School moved into the South Shore building four years ago. Pathfinder, West Seattle's only K-8, alternative, has been at the Genesee building for more than 12 years. Both buildings are in disrepair.

Westbrook said she's troubled that alternative and elementary schools have been primarily left off the capitol list. She was also discouraged to see none of the schools that would receive students as a result of the school closures were up for major renovations.

"This would have sent a powerful message to parents in both communities as well to the public at large that the district was serious in its closure and consolidation goal to improve academics for all students," said Westbrook.

Lynette Martin, co-president of the Pathfinder Parent Teacher Association, supports the operations levy but hasn't made up her mind yet how she'll vote on the capitol bond.

"It's like having a family member that keeps making bad choices but you keep supporting them," said Martin. "Truly, the personal feelings I have are embroiled in the fact that this school has been shafted."

Genesee, a building the district has declared inadequate for any educational program, has been on the losing end of the past three capitol measures. If it's lucky enough to get on the next list, which might be in 2010, it could be more than a decade before a new building is completed.

"We can't wait that long," she said. "We look at the school and just think 'where do you start.' Everything is dry rot, cracked, pealing, broken and disheveled. I'm just not sure the support for alternative education is there (in the district)."

Like other Pathfinder parents, Martin said she loves the school but when her child is ready for middle school, she might enroll elsewhere because of the limitations posed by the middle school program that is housed in 12 onsite portables.

"It's very discouraging to parents and teachers," said Martin. "I don't feel like-under Manhas' leadership-the district is in tune with what schools are actually doing within their walls and the big picture of how to cradle or support each school."

Marie Claire Duncan, president of the Chief Sealth Parent Teacher-Student Association, said she's optimistic that Seattle voters will come out in support of the measures.

"For all the people that are unhappy with the district, a lot of people are happy with their schools," said Duncan, who does part-time clerical work for the district. "Seattle voters can be pretty discerning. I don't think they'll punish the kids for things they aren't happy with the district about."

A few hundred people, including Mayor Greg Nickels, showed their support for the measures at a campaign kickoff sponsored by Schoolsfirst! on Jan. 7. Nickels, who has been openly critical of the district recently, encouraged voters not to let uncertain feelings about district leadership effect their actions at the polls next month.

In November, Nickels suggested former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice take over the district after superintendent Raj Manhas announced he would leave his post this August. City Hall has also been pushing for ditching an elected School Board for an appointed one.

But the mayor called himself an "enthusiastic supporter of the campaign" and urged people to spread the word about the upcoming election.

"We're all going to have our debates about how we are doing day-to day, we are all going to have our debates about closing schools...," Nickels said, "And we are very passionate about that because we are very passionate about the kids who stand in front of us."

Previous capitol levies paid to renovate West Seattle and Sealth high schools, Madison Middle School, Cooper, Highland Park and Sanislo elementary schools.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at rebekahs@robinsonnews.com