Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is set to undertake major renovations and replacements at Chief Sealth International High School, thanks to the Building Excellence VI (BEX VI) Capital Levy which passed earlier this month. Close to 75% of ballots cast approved the measure. The levy, which will generate $1.8 billion over six years, aims to fund various capital projects, including safety, security, energy efficiency upgrades, major building maintenance, and technology upgrades. Taxes for this levy will commence in 2026

A key component of the BEX VI levy is the construction and renovation work planned for Chief Sealth International High School. Design work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with construction starting in 2029. The district aims to create schools that will serve the community for the next 100 years.

The proposed addition to Chief Sealth International High School seeks to meet the needs of the Career and Technical Education Program, eliminate the eight portable classrooms along the west property edge, and enhance energy conservation4. The $50 million project will allocate two-thirds of the funds to construction, while the remaining third will cover A/E fees, permit costs, construction contingency, furnishings, and Washington State Sales Tax.

Key aspects of the construction plans include:

• Classroom Addition: A 10-classroom addition is planned for the northern portion of the existing school, including two classrooms for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and eight general education classrooms to replace the portable classrooms currently in use.

• CTE Program Enhancement: The project involves relocating the existing Career and Technical Education construction trades classroom from the basement and the food service classroom from the interior of the building. These classrooms are currently undersized and poorly located for transporting necessary materials and supplies.

• Energy Efficiency: The project will replace the school’s gas heating system with a geothermal system for heating and cooling and remove all use of natural gas from the building, replacing it with electric equipment.

• Timeline: The design period for the project will run through 2027, with construction planned from 2027 to 2029 and completion expected before the start of school in September 2029.

• On-Site Construction: Construction is planned to occur while students remain on-site.

These upgrades are essential for maintaining the quality of education in Seattle Public Schools, bridging the gap between state funding and the actual needs of students and schools4. The passage of these levies ensures that Seattle schools can provide safe learning environments, necessary resources, and a well-rounded education for all students.