Updated, 12/8: The public is left scratching their heads trying to figure the School Board's funding vote.

The School Board in a semi-monthly Public Work Study Session with the Administration

OPINION:  Updated 12/8:   I spent over 3 hours this weekend  watching the video of the LWSD School Board's, 11/23 Regular Meeting.  They were voting to approve the Superintendent's levy/bond funding measures

In review, I noticed what appears to be several errors and omissions in the voting process.  I brought this to the attention of the Administration and the School Board.

My observations:   The Board's Motion, Second and Vote to approve Resolutions 2044 (levy),  2045 (levy), and 2046 (bond) was incomplete.  At minute 26 of the video, Director Eglington made a motion to approve "the package of three measures." He didn't read the measures aloud or hand them to the Chair.  Director Bernard's Second was question.

The only Board vote was 12 minutes later (38 min) after Pendergrass motioned to allowed for changes and consistency in language.  Bernard's "Second" was questioned. (for the second time)

If you want to see the 11/23 meeting video for yourself?  GO HERE .  Advance the video to 26-27min. and to 37min to see watch the motions.  The one vote taken had the shape of an  'amendment' allowing for changes in language. (37min.) 

I am not a lawyer, but in my brief research of  Robert's Rules of Order (RRO) I noticed the following  shaky parliamentary procedures.

1) A Director never "read the resolution(s) and handed it over to the Chair." (RRO)  Nor did a Director or the Chair read the resolutions or resolution numbers.  How does the public know what was voted on?

2) "The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations" (RRO), as is the Superintendent's report and so they can't substitute for reading the resolution.

3)  The final Motion (by the Chair) and seconded by (Bernard?) was "to allow changes" (amendments).  The Chair never read the resolutions or referred to them other than as "ballot measures".

4)  The Chair didn't declare, "The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted" (PPO). The resolutions were never identified or read.

This voting appeared  loosey-goosey, disorganized and lacking common sense parliamentary process. Yet, the District's attorney says it's legal.  Of course.   Scrutiny of the tapes show the LWSD School Board parliamentary process is problematic.

Why do I care so much?  I honor and respect the Board's service. But, the Board's current voting process leaves anyone viewing the vote (especially, without the resolutions) confused about "what was going on."  Voting on $300M measures is serious business and the public should expect it's done right, so it's understandable and appropriatly recorded for the record.
 
What do you think?  Wendy, you too. What's right about the School Board's process?  Will you listen to the tapes?   Dr. Kimball's comments and the District legal counsel's argument are beyond capacity of this blog platform.  

11/23/09 meeting video tape.

by Bob Yoder

PS. No need to download "Silverlite" to view the video.  I don't recommend it.

Washington’s Lighthouses: Point No Point

Washington’s Lighthouses: Point No Point

Beautiful photography.  Compliments of the Redmond Library Blog.

A Parent's Notes on the School Board's levy/bond vote

OPINION:  Updated 11/30.  The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors  approved Superintendent Kimball's proposal for two Levies (#2044, #2045) and one Bond (#2046) at their Regular Meeting on 11/23.   A citizen levy committee is currently promoting the resolutions to the community.  The LWSD Press Release on the School Board's decision is here.   (photo is a "public work study session").

The School Board of Directors are elected by over 102,000 active voters.  I thought you'd be interested in what our representatives had to say.
The School Board of Directors and Superintendent "commented" on the three funding proposals for about 38 minutes. (The public wasn't invited to comment).  Superintendent Kimball had the most to say by far.  You can watch the website meeting video archive here.  I couldn't find any comments from the Directors on the website or local print media.  My notes and some quotes from the tape are, as follows:

Four of  five Directors were present for quorum.  Director Ravi Shahani's absence was excused.  Mr. Shahani's district includes the "Education Hill Schools", Einstein, Redmond El, Rush, Audubon, Rosa Parks,Wilder, and Lake Washington High.

Dr. Kimball made it clear to the viewing public the funding review work was not done "behind smoke filled rooms."  Chip rattled off some "statistically reliable" survey numbers.  More on this another time.

After Kimball reviewed the facts and benefits of his proposal,  Director Doug Ellington (Sammamish)   kicked off the "comment session".  Mr. Ellington referred to polling data from State School Directors Conference:  1) the public feels state public education is on solid ground and performance is good but, 2) anti-tax sentiment is probably higher than it's ever been in fifteen years, 3)  recommended including the Bond measure with the levies. 

Director Nancy Bernard (Kirkland) thanked Chip Kimball and staff for their hard work on the measures.  She said it was a "huge public process".   Some other comments:   1)  how hard it is to go out for a bond in our current economic situation. 2) but, it's more economical to deal with school modernization now rather than later, 3) Juanita High needs to be modernized, 4) going to four-year high schools will reduce the need for two more elementary schools, 5)  staff and the board "didn't go for everything"; that "according to Focus Groups or whatever you call  them and the other work that was done" the proposal offers less than what some wanted. 
  
Director Chris Carson (Kirkland) commented that 1) going to four-year high schools is "revenue neutral", 2) that you either grow 3-year high schools or go to 4-year schools, 3)  that it doesn't influence the amount of money in the bond.   Kimball concurred and expanded.  Earlier, representative Carson asked staff to look at the ballot and try to keep the three measures as consistent with one another as possible.

President and Director Jackie Pendergrass (Kirkland) had an issue with finding enough land for the elementary schools.  (Without the bond approval additional elementary schools would have to be built).  She reiterated the levies have to be renewed, like a magazine subscription, or they lose the money.

Director Ellington finished by saying:  1)  The levies used to pay for innovative upgrades and today levies are required just to support ongoing basic education.  (Kimball agreed and emphasized the state is "not fulfilling their constitutional duty".)  2)  school construction would create jobs, stimulate the economy and generate school sales taxes.

I noticed a few of omissions in the voting process that seem serious.   The Board's Motion, Second and Vote to approve Resolutions 2044, 2045, and 2046 never took place.   At minute 26 of the video, Mr. Ellington made a motion "to approve the package" seconded by Ms. Bernard but the Board never voted on the motion!  The only vote the Board made (12 minutes later) was on a Pendergrass motion to allow for changes and consistency in language.  That's it!  Go to the 11/23 meeting video and see for yourself.   Advance to minute 26-27 and minute 37 to see for yourself.   (No need to download staff's Silverlite program!). 

by Bob Yoder

LWSD November 23 Press Release -  School Board funding approval. 
The November 23 Meeting "Packet" -

LWSD Administration's published proposal omits $124 in taxes /house.

"The total of all three measures would increase the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1444 in 2010 to $1606 in 2011."

-- LWSD Superintendent's levy/bond proposal to the School Board.  

What the District doesn't tell you in their press release is that additional taxes totaling $124/house will be assessed over the next three years.  $47 (2012), $41 (2013), $36 (2014). 

by Bob Yoder

Attempted child luring reported in Redmond

Attempted child luring reported in Redmond KOMO News

UPDATED: The Lake Washington District School Board proposes a $294/home levy/bond increase in one year and revises it to $170 after citizen input.

UPDATE, 12/01/2009

Two school levies and one bond measure are approved by the School Board for the February ballot.
 -- LWSD website 11/24

Comments: 

A citizen reported on an error and omission on the district website news column of 11/24, as follows:

"The total of all three measures would increase the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1448 in 2010 in 2014 to $1742.  (This is a total increase of $294 over four years.)

The Administration later revised their website news with the same date to:

"The total of all three measures would incease the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1448 in 2010 to $1618 in 2011, or an increase (over one year) of approximately $170."  11/24

The Administration never reported the "total tax paid" in their 11/27 issue of the Redmond Reporter and they didn't change the date of their revision piece so I cannot verify this information.  If the Administration has made changes to be accountable to the Public, I hope they would comment here for my Readers. If they send a correction to the Reporter, I will document it under "comments".  

CC:  LWSD Administration

King County Library System - Proposition 1 would cost the average homeowner $32/year.

King County Library System - Proposition 1 - on the February 9 ballot

Washington State Basic Health can't keep up...

The wait list for Washington State's Basic Health Plan now exceeds enrollment (more)  http://bit.ly/1Jr3qT

Slavic property owners plead case to save their Overlake office park.

PART II:  The City Council Meeting of 11/17 was a Big Show.  Emigrant Slavic (mostly Russia) and Egyptian citizens turned out in record numbers.  It was standing room only at City Hall.  Egyptian citizens were asking to extend a sewer line on church land not annexed by the City; the Russian citizens came to protect their "Limited Edition" office park from being destroyed by a Public Works project.

The City has a grand plan to build an gigantic underground regional stormwater treatment facility in Overlake.  It would the size in volume of two city halls!  The Sears parking lot is probably one of the best locations for the facility from a stormwater engineering perspective.  However, in my opinion, the city is now looking at the Limited Edition and seven other sites should the Sears deal fall through.  Doubtful. 

In any event, the Limited Edition Slavic office owners and workers stormed City Hall to plead their case.  They've even brought along an engineer and planning/policy experts to assist and persuade Council.     

The eighteen Limited Edition buildings are individually managed by 13 owners.  The office park has 32 businesses and generates 400 jobs. The park has two churches.  "Elana" described her Russian church as costing $700,000 to change the use to a church and $2M for remodeling.  They rent the building to a Spanish Church and may rent to a Taiwanese Church.  A language school for kids operates out of their community center.  A couple of doctors gave their case about losing their practices.  Of significance, a Russian woman said their "only competition was a parking lot."  I think this speaks volumes.  What do you think?   

In all it was an emotional display by an immigrant minority that I never knew lived, worked, and played in Redmond.  Did you know about this Slavic enclave?  I can't ever imagine the City Council would allow these small businesses to be uprooted.  Certainly not Councilmember Pat Vache' - an avid proponent for small business.  What do you think? 

A public Community Meeting is tentatively planned for the third week of January.  Contact the mayor's office  mayor@redmond.gov for the exact date, location, and time.

The LWSD Surplus Technology Equipment Sale!

Agendas, Information Packets and Minutes for present and future School Board Meetings and Study Sessions

If you haven't yet found that perfect, reasonably priced holiday gift, you may want to try the Lake Washington School District.  That's right!  In the near future, the District (425-882-5100) may be releasing some of their surplus technology equipment for sale to the general public.

The SCHOOL BOARD approved "Surplus Material and Equipment" Resolution No. 2047 at their Regular Meeting, 11/23.

"A large portion of the surplus items include district furniture and equipment due to ongoing modernizations, computers due to ongoing staff and student upgrades and textbooks.  It will be offered for sale/redistribution through RCW 28.A.335.180.  This could include providing technology equipment to indigent students, sales to other private and public schools and sale to the general public and/or disposal."  - LWSD Board Meeting packet, 11/23 (page 10).

For more information, try rlandis@lwsd.org or call the District. 

A few of the surplussed items:

Camcorder (64 units)  CD burner (11)  Computers, Compaq & HP (262)  Digital Cameras (127)

Document Camera (127)  Laptops (10)  Monitors (196)  Printers, HP (95)  Printers, Xerox (47)

Proliant Servers, Compaq & HP (11)  Video Editing Decks (13)  Refrigerators, small (LOT)

Popcorn machine (3)  Filing cabinets (LOT)  Ice Cream Machine (1) Lathes (3) Chairs, adult (LOT)

Basketball Backboards (4) Drillpress (Rockwell 15-017) 1  Band Saw (1)  Bookcase (LOT)

What do you need? 

by Bob Yoder

CC:  LWSD Administration

Microsoft's private shopping mall.

Microsoft Commons: It’s a Mall World After All

The Sonic Forest

Link to more information

Part I - Over 250 Russian and Egyptian citizens turn-out at recent City Hall meeting.

The last City Council meeting (11/17) could be labeled "organized chaos", "a monster meeting", "history in the making".   For Mayor John Marchione it was a home run.  One of  Marchione's Budget priorities is to "build a sense of community and connections with others" and to measure it by counting  turnout at council meetings. Probably, close to 300 citizens showed up!  See for yourself  here.

Two items of  "new business" caused the high turnout;  the Christian Egyptians of NE Rose Hill and the Russians of Overlake, trying to establish their cultures and connect their citizenship to the Greater Redmond community.  (Coptic church painting on left).

More than half  were members from St. George Coptic Orthodox Church - a growing, peaceful community of Christian Egyptians seeking  freedom from religious prosecution in America.   The *church members came to Council seeking a sewer line extension to service a new church they've planned in NE Rose Hill.  The project site is on county land planned for annexation.  The annexation currently has 59% election approval: it needs 60% approval for annexation into Redmond.

Councilmember Richard Cole laid the hammer down referring to Redmond's long-standing urban growth boundary policy denying city sewer extensions into the County.  Mayor Marchione summed up the Council's decision stating:

"We welcome the St. George Coptic Church into the community, but this in not the vehicle in which  to do it.  The vehicle is through annexation."

Greater Redmond christian Egyptian immigrants may not have achieved the immediate infrastructure connection they had hoped, but they made significant progress towards connecting their culture and building our Greater Redmond community.

* Members of the Coptic church presently holds services in space leased from Rev. Tim White's, Washington Cathedral.   Rev. White addressed the Council speaking in support of the church community.

The Russian community of Overlake story will be presented in Part II, above this one.

by Bob Yoder

Redmond Natural Resources Dept. hits a home run with their Bear Creek Water Treatment Facility.

Left: beautiful riparian creek corridor will be restored.  Right: the facility goes in the strip that's right of the trail.

Have you heard about the proposed Bear Creek Wetland Facility behind Safeway?  The facility will treat and clean the dirty stormwater running from the Bear Creek Plaza parking lots and roof-tops (eight acres).  Currently, the filthy stormwater is virtually untreated and piped directly into the Creek!  This trashy, warm water is loaded with toxic heavy metals, asbestos, oils, and chemicals.  The creek's endangered salmon are bothered, to say the least.

When the location of the stormwater facility site was pointed out by a city stormwater manager I felt instant relief.   The facility is long and skinny strip of land, like a sliver, and only three feet deep.  Best of all, it's west of the blacktop 'trail' nowhere near the creek or it's beautiful riparian vegetation!

The new stormwater facility will function like a wetland as it treats run-off by filtration!  It won't be smelly or full of weeds.  It will probably be dry in the summer and most of the year.  The city natural resources dept. (DNR) will enhance and restore the area with plant and trees.  If you drive behind Safeway you'll see a row of large Ceder trees. DNR has found a way to keep all those trees!  They're not hitting home runs on this project.  They're hitting a Grand Slams!

But there's more!  What's the good of a beautiful urban salmon stream habitat if the public can't enjoy and learn from it?   Upon recommendation from Park/Trails commissioners (new and old), a barked foot-trail looped to a large salmon-viewing boulder is planned.  Bear Creek Plaza shoppers can take a break on the trails and learn about the local habitat.

My only regret?  The city didn't involve the public in this environmentally friendly project from the start.  A decent map delineating the Safeway store, parking lots and hard surface trail would have gone a long way towards understanding the site location.  A statement in the Notice or a flyer explaining the use and value of a wetland facility would help.  This DNR project is something to be proud of, not hide from. I hope public education will come earlier on future high visibility City stormwater treatment projects.

In the end, the city was extremely informative and accommodating and I am most thankful!   Our Department of Natural Resources is great!   DNR, thank you for improving Bear Creek water quality!   Does a reader want to comment?

by Bob Yoder    

Part III: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce: Leadership

The Beaverton and Hillsboro Chambers of Commerce in Oregon push above and beyond  the boilerplate chamber tenets of 1) promoting community, 2) fostering a vibrant local economy, 3) representing and supporting business, and 4) networking and referrals.

The Hillsboro Chamber mission impliments "relevant business education" to youth.  (Part II).  The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce "builds community leaders"..

The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce started "Leadership Beaverton" in l997.  Their mission statement is "To develop a diverse network of visionary civic and business leaders who act in accordance with the principles of community-centered stewardship."   

Leadership Beaverton (LB) grew from a desire for more knowledgeable volunteers, board members, and elected officials in the city.   LB's purpose is to provide training so that better decisions are made in the community.  Topics discussed include:  Beaverton history, government, human services and quality of life.  Twenty-five citizens attend class one full day/month every year from September to May.  Each student completes a community project.  (Their twenty-five graduates per year are substantially greater than either Redmond program.) - Beaverton Chamber website

Two leadership programs are available to Redmond citizens:

1)  A brief  "City College" program taught by staff to whomever signs up.  I think (not sure) the "college" opens every election year.  Topics include lessons on the various city departments:  Planning & Public Works, Parks & Human Services, Finance, Human Resources, etc.  A community service project is not required.  I'm not aware of graduates joining a commission.   If anyone knows, please comment.

2)  Past Leadership Eastside (LE) graduates are Mayor Marchione (prior to council), one councilmember, an arts commissioner and a non-profit leader.  The problem is, the program cannot keep up with the needs of the community.  This year, a commissioner (and future councilmember) and a promoted deputy fire chief signed, but the city still in a very serious crunch for qualified commissioners.  

According to a Beaverton Chamber officer, "Beaverton Leadership" has 287 graduates with at least 50% now serving as boards, commissions, and non-profits in some capacity.  Two graduates sought and won city council seats, and the current Mayor (was on city council) went through the program.  Five graduates ran for state office. One County Commissioner graduated. 

It's quite clear the Chamber of Commerce model for developing and enriching leaders works!  Our Greater Redmond of Chamber Commerce can learn from Beaverton on how to  "promote community" by fostering leadership.

by Bob Yoder

Jeff Johnson’s cartoons add sizzle to the Redmond Reporter

Johnson’s cartoons enhance newspaper 

by Bob Yoder

Sammamish Trails Boy Scouts volunteer on projects to enhance riparian habitat and clean residential stormwater.

Hi John and Bob- The Council’s 100th anniversary team is (finally) beginning to follow up with all the service project requests. We realize of course that this is long overdue, and we are grateful for your patience as the service project team is a work in progress.

It turns out you both requested the same project and I’ve contacted Peter Holte at City of Redmond Public Works and he’s suggested that we wait until early next year and throughout the spring to complete some of these projects including: stenciling and gluing buttons on/near storm drains, a planting/species removal event around Earth Day, and participate in the Cascade Land Conservancy that would involve harvesting, cutting and pounding willow branches near streams (neat project for younger Scouts that cannot glue the buttons).

Thank you both for your participation and encourage you to continue to submit projects as you see the need. Bob, we’d love to get some of these projects, once in action, posted on your Redmond blog of course!

Thanks again,

Darla Sklar
Marketing Director
Chief Seattle Council, BSA
206.902.2353
www.seattlebsa.org

Part II: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce - the value of Education and Technology in the mix.

Reviewing the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce as compared to Hillsboro, OR and Beaverton OR Chambers of Commerce, it is notable the Redmond Chamber Board is loaded with government-related members and thin on technology and education, as follows:

Government representation:  1) Rob Odle, City of Redmond (COR) Staff Director  2) Richard Cole, COR Councilmember, 3) Pat Vache' COR Councilmember (Kinections), 4) Tom Martin, Evergreen Hospital V.P (public hospital)., 5) Auggie Kempf,  Evergreen Hospital District Board of Directors (Kumpf et al).

Government orientation:  6) William R. Garing is the Chamber's "governnmental affairs" (Evans land use) and 7) Gene Wilkstrom (Executive Director of NW Career Colleges Federation).  NW Career College prioritizes governmental affairs and advocacy for private career colleges.

Technology:  Microsoft.   Education:  NW Career College Federation.    

Sidebar:  Not all government is excessive.  Auggie Kemp brings many resources to the table as a small businessman, elected official , and affiliation with Kirkland-based Evergreen hospital.   Pat Vache' has a valuable perspective as an elected official , small business owner and trustee of Hope-link and Lake Washington School Foundation. 

The City of Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce combines technology with education to grow and train their city's present and future workforce.   Their *Technology Center and "School to Work" (STW) programs are twin pillars towards this end.  The Chamber's popular program  has three staff dedicated to STW.  STW recruits businesse owners to volunteer their time to develop their future workers by:

•  visiting a classroom and talking to students about your career (1 hour investment)
•  inviting a student to job shadow to get an inside look of your job and company. (3 hour investment)
•  site visits to provide a tour of your work-site to a class of eager students. (1-2 hour investment).
•  an internship:  students work on specific tasks in your business on a regular basis related to classroom studies.  (15-30 hour investment). 

Can you think of Education and Technology community leaders that could drive similar programs for the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce?  Washington Voc. Tech.?  Digipen?  LWSD Superintendent?  Nintendo?  Physio-Control?  The Mayor?

A vibrant local economy starts with a vibrant Chamber.  Part III in this series will be on how the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce can help meet community and city needs for leadership.

  by Bob Yoder

Part I: How does the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce stack up?

The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce isn't often held under "the looking glass".  I think the Chamber should be reviewed by the public every once in a while.  Here's my try.  Your comments are certainly welcome.

My method  was to study the Redmond Chamber website and compare it with the Beaverton, OR. and Hillsboro, OR Chamber websites to look for patterns and trends.   I selected the Oregon cities for their similarity to Redmond, WA. in demographics, hi-tech businesses (and Nike), transportation, and close location to a major city. 

The Redmond Chamber newsletter is full of articles and resources, many with City of Redmond topics.  
The standard chamber mission statement is found on each site --  promote community, strengthen the economy, representing business to government (city, school district, etc), and networking.  Hillsboro adds "presenting relevant business education".

Of the three Chamber websites, I found the Redmond Chamber (RC) the most lop-sided with city and hospital government representation (almost 25%).  The RC has three city government officials and two hospital government officials on the Board.  Councilmember Cole is an officer, Councilmember Pat Vache' a director (trustee), as is City Planning/Development Director Rob Odle.  Evergreen Hospital Auggie Kempf (Evergreen Board of Directors) and Tom Martin are trustee officers and trustee William Biggs is a Group Health official.  It appears government is representing itself to business rather than the other way around! 

The RC has only one Director in high-tech.  Hillsboro and Beaverton Chambers don't have a single officer, director, or board member associated with their city government.   Notably both include the Superintendent of Schools, Mayor, and Chamber President as  "Ex-Officos".   Hillsboro also includes fire and rescue district officer. Do you think giving more representation to high-tech businesses and less to city and hospital government would energize, renew and bring vitality to our Chamber, the community and our economy?

The Oregon city chambers offer three "added values".  Hillsboro Chamber has an incredibly exciting "School to Work" program (with 3 staff) and Beaverton has "Leadership Beaverton".  I'll post a description of the programs soon.  

As Microsoft is to Redmond so is Intel to Hillsboro.  The Hillsboro Chamber hosts the "Intel Technology Center" to promote the use of advanced technology in the workplace.  The Center has 10 IBM laptop computers with Intel mobile technology.  Chamber members can use the center for staff training and to learn what the latest technology can do for the bottom line.  The total investment was $25,000 to $40,000.

So what's stopping our Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce from moving forward with Greater Redmond's high-tech businesses?   Do you think less government and more high-tech business on the Board would energize our community and economy?

by Bob Yoder

http://www.redmondchamber.org/
http://www.beaverton.org/
http://www.hillchamber.org/

Education Hill homes have experienced a recent rash of burglaries.

 
Heads up...... I heard there were 2-3 burglaries on the street by the pool..... people posing as landscape workers.....
  --Tracy
 
From the Redmond Police:
We have seen an increase in residential burglaries over the last few months. Most began in the Overlake area, and now they have started on Ed. Hill. I can't stress enough to urge people to file reports when crimes occur. Not doing this only allows this trend to continue. Even if nothing was stolen, the more information we have, the better. We recently had one neighborhood that didn't have any crime in quite some time have a burglary, two vehicle prowls, and a suspicious person knocking on doors. Only one was reported to us.

I encourage you all to communicate with your neighbors and let them know what to be on the lookout for and phone 911 if anything looks suspicious. We did get one solid tip from one of the burglaries where a white "work" van pulled up outside of a house, set up cones as if they were doing landscaping work, and it turns out they were burglarizing the house. I encourage to keep an eye out for this type of activity--it's not uncommon for burglars and prowlers to change vehicles frequently.

The only businesses (not including non-profits, etc.) who should be peddling and have a license to do so are the following companies:

BDW Design and Construction
Edward Jones
Evans Glass
Evergreen Tree Care
TRG Solutions (Verizon FIOS)
Trugreen Landscape

When asked, they should be able to produce a business license, and if they are peddling, EACH INDIVIDUAL should have their own peddler's license.

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
jbove@redmond.gov

--forwarded by Tracy, Education Hill, 11/14

What could it cost taxpayers if the LWSD levy/bond measures pass in the February election?

UPDATED, 12/1/09 Last night Redmond Mayor Marchione asked Council if they wanted to endorse the LWSD Levy and Bond that's up for vote in a Special Election on February 9.  Six councilmembers gave their support to endorse, saying our schools are vital to Redmond neighborhoods and contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in our City.  Councilmember Kim Allen did not want to endorse the measure owing to impact fee issues.  Kim is usually a strong advocate for the neighborhoods.

Council's support for the school levy and bond were positive but conditioned on learning more about the measures.   I've been to several School Board "Work Study" meetings so will try to share what I know.  By the way, I encourage you to attend these Work Study meetings.  Work Study sessions are a close and personal and fun way to get to know our Board Members, Superintendents and Staff and learn how the system works.

The February 9 ballot will have *3 boxes to check:  1) Capital Projects Levy for Facilities and Technology (4-year), 2) Educational Programs and Operations Levy (4-year) and 3) Capital Facility Planning Bond.  Last Monday, Superintendent Kimball gave his recommendations to the School Board, based on extensive in-person, PTSA Committee, and web input surveys and of course, Board conversation.   The School Board will make the final decision.  In my opinion, it's doubtful they would make any substantive changes.  Dr. Chip Kimball was hired by the Board and unquestionably runs the show.  He is likable and extremely capable and effective.  I'm convinced governance could improve with more intra-Board deliberation and leadership.

Superintendent Kimball's Levy/Bond recommendations provide examples of the cost for a home in the District with an average assessed value of $505,000.  Items 1,2,3 below may negligibly differ.

1)  The Facilities and Technology Capital Projects Levies will be combined into one Levy for the Election. Thus, the total Capital  Projects Levy is $83M over four years, or .55 cost / 1000 of assessed value or $278/house in 2011.

2)  The Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&0) is $205.5M over four years, or 1.30/$1000 or $656/house in 2011   Years 2012, 13 and 14 will be adjusted for changes in assessed property values.

3)  Capital Facilities Planning Bond is $234M over four years, or .33 / $1000 of assessed value or $166/house in 2011.

The TOTAL amount for the two levies and one bond up for vote is $2.18/1000 or $1101/house in 2011. The assessed value changes every year so years 2012, 13, 14 are projected roughly $20 - $30
higher per year.

Add in the existing voter approved Debt Service, and the two levies and bond issue, if passed, will total  $1606 in 2011, $1636 in 2012, $1651 in 2013, and $1672 in 2014.   School Taxes for the year 2010 have already been voter approved and are expected to be $1444/house for a house with an average assessed value of $505,000.

Thus, with passage of all levy/bond measures, the average local school tax per home is expected to increase $162 in 2011.   12/01 update:  after a few tweaks by Kimball, the average tax/home is approximately $170 in 2011 and  $294 over 4 years.

Good schools do everything to prepare our children for the future, build good neighborhoods and raise property values.  So, what will the schools and students receive for this property tax increase?  What do you think?  Stay tuned for Part II when the benefits of our hard-earned tax dollars will be spelled out. 

Watch Superintendent Chip Kimball present his levy/bond recommendations on video, 11/9.  View the LWSD Press Release, 11/13 on Dr. Kimball's proposal.

*The LWSD School Board holds their WORK STUDY dinner meeting  and REGULAR Meeting starting at 5:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month..  The Public is invited to both.   Work Study Meetings are unstructured and have no video or audio recording and no Minutes (one sentence) so the meetings can be very interesting!  Look here for the extended agenda for Work Study and Regular Meetings.   

by Bob Yoder

$81,921 DONATED TO LWSD SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER DONATIONS TO LWSD

"and a little bit more"

Environmental & Adventure School PTO to EAS -- $38,100 -- to provide stipend for extra office help for activities ($8,100) and support outdoor education and student supplies.

Juanita Rebels Booster Club to Juanita High School -- $2,331.60 -- to provide coaching stipend.

First Teach to Rosa Parks Elementary -- $2020.20 -- to support building program.

A.G. Bell PTSA to Bell El. -- $1800 -- To provide classroom enrichment at teacher's discretion.

Louisa May Alcott PTSA to Alcott El. -- $2012.60 -- To provide student leadership and assembly stipends.

Elizabeth Blackwell PTSA to Blackwell Elementary --$21,000 -- To provide student and teacher curriculum aids ($11,000); staff development ($5000), purchase library books ($200); and support field trips ($3000).

Rachel Carson PTSA to Carson El. -- $10,039 -- to provide stipends for intramural program ($2013), website administration ($2013), Green Team program ($1006), and Student Council Program ($1006); purchase health room equipment and supplies ($500); and support field trips ($3500).

Juanita Schools Foundation to Juanita Elementary -- $4617 -- to support volunteer program ($1,315) and building program ($1289) and provide outdoor education stipend ($2012).

"a little bit more"

Participation by the community in the LWSD School Board's governing process is lacking:  1) the School Board at large didn't show up for the levy input meetings,  2) citizens aren't attending the Board 's Work Study Meetings. because the BOARD doesn't announce the Topic or times during their Regular Meetings  3) Work Study Meeting Minutes are only one sentence long so we never know what's going on behind the closed doors.  What do you think?  If you want to sit in on a meeting check the "extended agenda" on the sidebar under LWSD links.

by Bob Yoder 

The adventures of Bear Creek's young buck

While exploring the Bear Creek stormwater facility site, I found this young buck foraging for food along Bear Creek behind Safeway.  Grass and shrubs must have been scarce from the flooding. The buck crossed Avondale Way and headed downtown, but then came back.  It was touch and go crossing Avondale Way.  Both lanes of traffic stopped.   Do you see him on the shoulder of the road?  Can you believe it?  (click upper right photo to enlarge). You can see Bear Creek flooding onto the trail that goes under the Avondale Way bridge.  Normally the buck would probably take the safe way North under the bridge, but you can see it's blocked by the flood. When the new stormwater facility on Bear Creek is built, food and shelter will probably be in shorter supply; since  ~ 3,000 sf of riparian buffer will be lost.

by Bob Yoder

Photos taken today when walking the stormwater project site.

Redmond SecondStory Repertory needs $80,000 to stay afloat

Redmond%27s%20SecondStory%20Repertory%20needs%20%2480%2C000%20to%20stay%20afloat

How and Why you should help the SecondStory Repertory.

Donate Today! 

Why should you patronize and donate to Redmond's Second Story Repertory? 

1. Because the repetory is one of the brightest attractions on Seattle's Eastside, with nine Mainstage            and four children's productions this season.
2.Because over 20,000 people depend on experiencing live theatre at SecondStory Repertory.
3.Because you love having live, professional theatre in your community.
4.Because if you love the arts, you should contribute to organizations creating it.
5.Because more than 200 kids take theatre classes here after school and in the summer.
6.Because over 5,000 school kids will be introduced to the magic of theatre here this year.
7.Because we really, really need it - $80,000 is needed by December 31 or the theatre will leave Redmond.
 
DID YOU KNOW
•SecondStory Repertory is a cultural institution with a mailing list of over 5,000 local households, with an average household income of $96,000, according to Redmond Town Center research.

WEB SITE & DONATE HERE:  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/supportssr/donate.html

DROP YOUR KIDS OFF DURING  RTC HOLIDAY SHOPPING
"Drop and Shop"  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/classes/publicclasses.html

This website information and plea for support was posted in response to Holly Plackett's urgent request.  Holly is a past Redmond City Councilmember, Planning Commissioner and community activist.

Redmond High Principal Jane Todd and associates report to the School Board

Updated, 11/11:  It's Superintendent Chip Kimball's practice to host one school per month and today was Redmond High School's opportunity.   Redmond High School Principal Jane Todd (speaking) and her associates, Ms. Pointer and Mr. Higgins, gave their presentation during the  October 12 regular meeting.

According to Superintendent Kimball, Redmond High ranks in the top 85 high schools in the country.  Ms. Todd celebrated the achievements of her students and teachers.  83% of Redmond High graduates go directly onto a post-secondary institution.  854 students took AP tests in 27 subject areas.  The SAT mean score is 40 points above the state mean for the last five years.  PSAT testing has taken a huge jump.

Surprisingly, despite Redmond High's obvious success, the school is  "under improvement" for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)!  Why?  They fell below standard in one of 37 areas -  "Special Education of Students."  The Federal program, 'No Child Left Behind' is decidedly askew. Kimball anticipates the law will be  changed in a couple years.

When Einstein and Redmond Elementary fell below standards this year, 100 students opted to transfer to other schools.  Federally supported Title One schools have a transfer option.  Even if Redmond High was a Title One school it's highly doubtful students would transfer because the school is so highly rated.

Jane and her associates talked of their efforts in "building culture" at the school.  Several programs are implemented:

•  "RHS HELP" - 160 students 'in need' receive financial support from Microsoft, the PTSA, and other groups for everything from lunches to school supplies. 
•  The Latino demographic -  Latinos meet once a month - usually on college tours - to build leadership to establish better connections and fill in social gaps with the student body.
• Afro-Americans have started a Black Student Union with similar goals as the Latinos. 
• A sophomore core of teachers and students meet regularly to smooth the transition into high school.
• A new attendance and vacation policy holds the students and parents accountable for absences.  

Chip recognized Ms. Todd for her progress in "building culture".  Ms. Todd experienced a general culture of "NO" at the start.  A "can do" attidtude is the status quo today.

by Bob Yoder

Election Night Final Results

Election Night Summarry:  (next report is 4:30pm  11/4).

NO - I-1033;     YES - Referendum 71   YES Charter Amendment 1-4;
Dow Constatine over Hutchison,  Kim Allen over Chen, Charles Pilcher over Linquist.

http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200911/results.aspx

Election Night Final
KING COUNTY   11/3/2009    8:07:20 PM

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842 23.55%

Initiative Measure No. 1033
YES    78111        34.28%
NO    149739       65.72%

Referendum Measure No. 71  PASSED, 11/4
APPROVED 164724    65.91%
REJECTED    85188    34.09%

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842   23.55%

King County Charter Amendment No. 1
YES  176174   85.09%
NO      30863   14.91%

King County Charter Amendment No. 2
YES   166128    82.05%
NO       36345    17.95%

King County Charter Amendment No. 3
YES 191012     91.13%
NO     18597      8.87%

King County Charter Amendment No. 4
YES   170222    80.49%
NO      41257     19.51%

KING COUNTY
Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842   23.55%

County Executive short and full term
Susan Hutchison  104622   42.76%
Dow Constantine 139501   57.01%
Write-in                    561      0.23%

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 5547 / 25447 21.80%
Redmond City Council
Council Position No. 2
John P. (Pat) Vache 3614 98.61%
Write-in 51 1.39%

Council Position No. 4
Sally J. Chen    1778    37.69%
Kim Allen         2920    61.90%
Write-in              19       0.40%

PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT NO. 2  (Evergreen Hospital)

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 36086 / 157168 22.96%
Commissioner District No. 1
Al F. DeYoung 22633      98.87%
Write-in               259         1.13%

Commissioner Position No. 4
Charles A. Pilcher 19156        72.06%
Rex H. Lindquist     7352        27.66%