Lake Washington School District government & process will be studied and reported on this blog.

Five LWSD Board of Directors meet with Superintendent and staff twice a month at 7pm.

Board Meetings are video-taped and archived. 

Click an agenda item for this meeting  to start the video.   

The Lake Washington School District School Board (and indirectly the Superintendent) reports to 102,000 active registered voters!  Parents and caregivers entrust 23,768 of their children to the district.  That's a huge responsibility. 

By contrast, the City of Redmond (C.O.R.) Council and Mayor report to less than 30,000 registered voters.  (The city's residential population is 50,000).   Though, not all voters are property owners, the four-fold increase of voters in LWSD over C.O.R. is significant and deserves attention. 

In August 2009, eight COMMENTS from unhappy Redmond Elementary and Einstein parents were posted on the Blog.   These parents were unhappy from two years of  substandard "Average Yearly Performance" (AYP) ratings in three sub-categories.  I will be reporting on this in greater detail so your COMMENTS are always appreciated. 

The Title One, AYP issue has triggered my community activism at LWSD.  I'm finding the LWSD Administration responsive and very accepting to positive social change. So far, I attended and participated in the 9/14 Board Meeting and Work Session on Levy & Bond Planning; I've observed Suspension Appeal Hearing and studied the archived video of the 9/31 Board Meeting.

In just a short time, I've observed areas where we can come together to solve problems and I will report on them soon.  It is important to remember these are tough times for all school districts.

LWSD Form of Government:"Single Executive Type of School Administration".  Superintendent Chip Kimball (BIO) is the District CEO and Administrator and is hired by the Board.

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  The Superintendent  is the board's link to the organization's staff and is accountable for achieving the ends identified by the board and carrying out the goals of the organization.  Superintendent's salary is $190,178 + expense reimbursement.
  
  
  

• The School Board is the governing body of the District, with all activities under the direction of the Superintendent.  The School Board is composed of five (5) elected Board Members serving four (4) year terms.  How to contact Board Members 

LWSD Board of Directors responsibilities:  The Board 1) "represents the citizens and lead the organization by asking critical questions and by determining and demanding appropriate and excellent organizational performance", 2) writes policy, 3) studies outcomes analysis, 4) advocates, 5) monitors CEO and Board performance, 6) decision-maker for appeals, 7) authority to hire and fire the CEO.  Directors attend 2 meetings/month and qualify for salary up to $167/meeting ($333/month) but have chosen not to take any pay.

The Superintendent is accountable for achieving the ends identified by the board.   In the future, I will write a story addressing  "the ends". 
  
By contrast, the Redmond (C.O.R.) Form of Government:

• "Strong Mayor" . Mayor John Marchione is City CEO, Administrator, and elected representative.  His inaugural salary is ~ $128,000 plus expense reimbursement.  The Mayor is charged with carrying out the policies of the city council and administering staff and city operations.
• COR Council is composed of seven elected (7) members serving 4-year terms.  Council writes governing policy,  approves the budget, appoints Boards and Commissions, participates in land use review process, participates on Council Committees.  Councilmembers attend at least 5 meetings or events per month and are paid ~$470/month.

report and photo by Bob Yoder