As we mentioned this morning, Seattle Public Schools reps have spent the week touring the city to invite members of the public to come offer ideas for projects to put in the next capital levy that’ll go before voters, likely February 2010. We got first word almost three weeks ago and mentioned it here; it was publicized many other ways, too. Certainly, Friday is a less-than-optimal night for a public meeting; even considering that, the turnout was absymal — just 4 people were on hand for the meeting: 2 members of the public (both teachers), the official SPS presenter, and the reporter we assigned to cover it. Here’s her story:

By Rachel Gabrielle
West Seattle Blog contributing reporter

Only two members of the public showed up for tonight’s Capital Levy Planning meeting held at West Seattle High School. This community meeting, the last of four similar meetings held throughout the district, was held in an effort to educate the public about the next school district BTA (building, technology and academics) levy going to voters in 2010. The meetings earlier this week were held at Broadview-Thomson K-8, Meany Middle School, and Mercer Middle School.

Tonight at WSHS, the planning project manager, Paul Wozniak, spoke about the levy process and gave examples of where the money has gone in recent years. (You can see the full PowerPoint presentation here.)

Wozniak said that the consulting firm MENG Analysis has been hired to do the initial evaluation of the Seattle school buildings, which is the first step. After the consultants prioritize a list of what needs to be done with an approximate cost, the district staff gets to nominate projects as they see fit. Lastly, the public gets to nominate projects. Wozniak says, “Vote early and vote often. It’s essential to get the public’s input.” (Even if you missed tonight’s meeting, it’s not too late to nominate an idea – the link is coming up at the end of this article.)

Here’s what he said they know already: 50 percent of the district’s buildings were built before 1960, 36% are not compatible with intended design or use anymore, and 32% are compatible with intended use but need remodeling.

Because of the lack of turnout, there weren’t many ideas floating around but Wozniak did say at the last meeting someone suggested a “real” cafeteria. One of the two teachers in attendance tonight, former West Seattle High teacher Cindy Palmer (who now teaches at View Ridge Elementary), said, “I want proper toilet paper dispensers in every disabled bathroom stall in the district.”

Suggestions for improving health and safety conditions are considered the priority, but her idea was welcomed too. It was advised that all nominations be as specific as possible, right down to the brand of toilet-paper dispensers, in this case.

Whatever makes it to the list of projects put before voters, the money will not be dispersed until April 2011, more than a year after the expected vote. These levies, which the district alternates with other types such as BEX (Building Excellence, which funded the in-progress Denny/Sealth combined campus), have ranged from $150 million to $330 million, over the course of six years.

You have until December 1st of this year to nominate a project. Then a list of proposals will be assembled, at which point more public meetings will be held (tentatively scheduled for next March). The school board makes the final list for the levy (that’s expected next September), and it has to be filed with the county Elections Department at least 90 days before the vote.

For more information on the levy program, go to this section of the SPS website; that’s where you’ll find the project-nomination form, too — just click the gray bar toward the bottom of the page.