Join the FEPP LOC to participate in civic engagement by advising on education programs from early learning through postsecondary. Gain new skills and experience by serving on a city committee. Have your voice heard by education leaders. Influence how Seattle's largest education levy supports children, students, and families in Seattle.

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is currently accepting applications for five new committee members for the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Oversight Committee (LOC). LOC members serve three-year terms, with the exception of youth members, who will serve a one-year term. Interested community members are encouraged to apply through the City of Seattle Boards and Commissions website. Applications are due by Monday, February 14, 2022. 

DEEL seeks applicants representing historically-underserved communities— specifically, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islanders, underserved Asian populations, other students of color, refugee and immigrant, homeless, English language learners, and LGBTQ+ communities. Youth, young adults, and parents of students served by FEPP Levy investments are encouraged to apply. 

About the FEPP Levy Oversight Committee 

The FEPP levy is a seven-year, $619 million-dollar investment in Seattle children, youth, and families approved by voters in November 2018. Under the FEPP levy, DEEL partners with families and community to achieve educational equity, close opportunity gaps, and build a better future for Seattle students by investing in: 

• High-quality early learning services that prepare children for success in kindergarten; 

• Physical and mental health services that support learning; 
• College and job readiness experiences that promote high school graduation; and  
• Postsecondary opportunities that promote attainment of a certificate, credential, or degree. 

The LOC, established by city ordinance, monitors the levy’s progress toward achieving its goal achieving educational equity and makes recommendations to DEEL leaders on how to improve outcomes for Seattle children, youth, and families through FEPP-funded investments. Appointed LOC members can expect to spend approximately an average of ten hours per month on FEPP related matters.  

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LOC has advised on establishing urgent services such as Emergency Child Care that provided nearly $2 million to support essential workers. LOC members have also served on review panels for FEPP investments, such as the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) School-Based Investments and the Seattle Promise equity scholarship that provide supplemental academic support and culturally-responsive programming for Seattle students. 

“The deep knowledge and experience held by our Levy Oversight Committee members helps DEEL ensure that our Seattle students furthest from educational justice have equitable access to excellent educational opportunities across the preschool to postsecondary continuum. I’m grateful to our LOC members for serving as trusted advisors on how FEPP Levy investments can further advance educational equity in our city,” said Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of DEEL.  

“As an early childhood educator and as a leader of color in the community, I truly believe in the importance of wide representation at the decision-making table. Our communities across the city are not monolithic: we need leaders deeply involved in community to bring forth the voices of families and students from diverse groups. I feel honored to be a member of the levy committee and I see this as an opportunity to empower the Latino community to get involved and elevate their voices because they matter. The future of their children depend on it.” 

Manuela Slye, Strategic Advisor and Past President of Seattle Council PTSA 

How to Apply 

To apply to join the FEPP LOC, please submit an application through the City’s Boards and Commissions website. Applications submitted by Monday, February 14, will be considered for appointments in 2022.  

To access the application, click “submit your application” from the “Apply to a Board or Commission” bar. 

Once in the application, be sure to select “FEPP LOC” from the drop-down menu. 

Interested applicants should have: 

• Passion for working with local government officials to improve educational outcomes; 
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity through prior volunteer experience; 

• Lived or professional experience related to FEPP Levy investments in preschool, health, K-12 academic achievement, cultural responsiveness, and postsecondary completion;  
• Desire and ability to dedicate five hours per month; and 
• An updated resume. 

For questions or more information about the LOC, please contact Mei-Li Thomas at Mei-Li.Thomas@seattle.gov or (206) 573-2241.