As you fill out your election ballot, you may be scratching your head about the two competing early learning proposals. The need to choose between the two measures may seem confusing at first, but a closer look at what is at stake makes it clear how to respond: If you support subsidized, high quality preschool for Seattle’s kids, vote YES on the initial question (should either of these measures be enacted?) and then, in the second question, choose Proposition 1B over 1A.

Here’s why: If we want to get serious about finally addressing Seattle’s persistent opportunity and achievement gap that results in so many of our low income, and particularly minority and immigrant and refugee children, falling behind educationally, we need high quality preschool available and affordable to all children. On the November ballot, Proposition 1B—and only Proposition 1B—puts us on a path to get there.

Prop 1B will make voluntary, quality preschool an affordable reality for 2,000 of Seattle’s 3‐ and 4‐year old children by 2018. That is a huge step toward ensuring that every child regardless of background or income level has the opportunity to flourish in a high quality, safe environment. Unlike the incompatible Proposition 1A, Prop 1B is fully funded and widely endorsed by progressive leaders and organizations, as well as by respected preschool providers.

If we want to get serious about finally addressing Seattle’s persistent opportunity and achievement gap that results in so many of our low income, and particularly minority and immigrant and refugee children, falling behind educationally, we need high quality preschool available and affordable. 

A smart preschool program designed to deliver results should do three things: It must focus first and foremost on the well being of our kids; it must include high quality standards based on early learning research from experts at the University of Washington and around the country as well as the best practices developed in successful preschool programs in other jurisdictions; and it must be fully funded. Unlike 1A, Proposition 1B does all of those things.

Proposition 1B is funded with a modest property lax levy of $14.5 million a year over four years, which translates to about $43 a year for a family living in a $400,000 home. The City’s strategic investment will fund preschool for Seattle’s 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds using a sliding payment scale and provide subsidies to families based on financial need, making preschool free for 4‐person households making up to $71,000 per year. The plan also improves the lives of preschool teachers by providing funding for teacher training and skills development, and by requiring that participating lead teachers be paid at the same level as kindergarten teachers.

Proposition 1A sounds good, but in truth is incompatible with the City’s plan. 1A allows for lower quality standards, creates huge unfunded mandates and is opposed by many preschool providers and experts. If it passes, the City will likely have to give up its efforts to build on Proposition 1B over time to create universal preschool. That would be a terrible lost opportunity.

Prop 1A includes many mandates and new rules but doesn’t provide any way to pay for these new requirements or to assist those families struggling to afford preschool. The City Budget Office estimates that 1A would cost taxpayers up to $140 million in the first year alone, and around $100 million a year after that. Implementing this huge unfunded initiative could lead to up to a 10 percent cutback to all other City services, including police and fire. That’s irresponsible.

I believe that creating a high‐quality pre‐K system available to children across Seattle regardless of economic circumstance is one of the most important things we can do as a city. With the futures of so many children at stake, I also believe it is critical we get this right.

Proposition is supported by Mayor Murray, former mayors Norm Rice and Charley Royer, by a supermajority of the City Council, and by early education experts and respected providers like the Washington Association of Head Start and ECEAP, the Childcare Directors Association, United Way, YMCA, El Centro De La Raza and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Every significant Seattle media outlet that has made endorsements in this election has recommended that voters support Prop 1B over Prop 1A: the Stranger and the Seattle Times, along with PubliCola—and most recently the progressive Real Change newspaper have all endorsed 1B.

I support Prop 1B as well, because it holds out the promise that we can fundamentally change the current unacceptable dynamic, where 25 percent of all Seattle schoolkids have fallen behind in reading by the time they enter the 3^rd grade, with the percentage significantly higher for children of color and low income and immigrant families.

 It’s time we take action to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of our at-risk kids. Please join me and so many others in voting for Proposition 1B. 

Ron Sims is the former King County Executive and former Deputy Director of HUD under President Obama.