Superintendent Traci Pierce gave a thorough presentation on the three levy/bond measures planned for the ballot this February 2014 in her address to Redmond City Council last night. She appeared to struggle with several of the questions Councilmembers asked often promising to get back with the information.
For instance, when Councilmember Stilin asked if the District Administration worked with municipalities on public works projects she wasn't sure. Stilin and Councilman Margeson specifically mentioned the widespread citizen feedback about the traffic congestion at Redmond Middle School.
Hank Margeson asked what percentage does the bond, developer impact fees and state pay towards new schools. Pierce wasn't sure how the state matching fund worked and gave an example that a developer on Redmond Ridge paid impact fees that covered the cost of land for a school. She didn't give any percentages or solid numbers. Margeson concluded that to a degree "growth pays for growth should get you started" in building new schools.
Mayor Marchione asked how many portables will be added as a result of the 2010 bond defeat since two elementary schools were scheduled to be completed by this time. Pierce didn't know the short term implications for portables even assuming the 2014 bond passes. Mayor Marchione said the parents should know the consequences of bond failures and Pierce said she would get back to him.
Councilmembers Flynn and Allen asked about plans to build a walkable school for the booming downtown urban neighborhood. Pierce said they have no immediate plans for this and are instead focusing on Choice schools like STEM-West and International-East. The bond would fund an elementary school just north of Einstein and another for Redmond Ridge. Additions are propossed for Lake Washington and Eastlake High.
The District Levy committee is planning a resolution to ask council for support of the measures and it is expected to be delivered sometime next week or two. Total cost of all three measures for the average home in Redmond of $450,000 assessed value is $365/year or $30/month.
Reported By Bob Yoder
For instance, when Councilmember Stilin asked if the District Administration worked with municipalities on public works projects she wasn't sure. Stilin and Councilman Margeson specifically mentioned the widespread citizen feedback about the traffic congestion at Redmond Middle School.
Hank Margeson asked what percentage does the bond, developer impact fees and state pay towards new schools. Pierce wasn't sure how the state matching fund worked and gave an example that a developer on Redmond Ridge paid impact fees that covered the cost of land for a school. She didn't give any percentages or solid numbers. Margeson concluded that to a degree "growth pays for growth should get you started" in building new schools.
Mayor Marchione asked how many portables will be added as a result of the 2010 bond defeat since two elementary schools were scheduled to be completed by this time. Pierce didn't know the short term implications for portables even assuming the 2014 bond passes. Mayor Marchione said the parents should know the consequences of bond failures and Pierce said she would get back to him.
Councilmembers Flynn and Allen asked about plans to build a walkable school for the booming downtown urban neighborhood. Pierce said they have no immediate plans for this and are instead focusing on Choice schools like STEM-West and International-East. The bond would fund an elementary school just north of Einstein and another for Redmond Ridge. Additions are propossed for Lake Washington and Eastlake High.
The District Levy committee is planning a resolution to ask council for support of the measures and it is expected to be delivered sometime next week or two. Total cost of all three measures for the average home in Redmond of $450,000 assessed value is $365/year or $30/month.
Reported By Bob Yoder
$30/month? Plus what they got last levy/bond time. PLUS Puget Sound Energy is asking to raise their rates.
ReplyDeleteAll of that and our own superintendent doesn't know (or won't respond)how many portables will be used, how traffic will be handled, OR how much money they get from developer fees.
But I'll bet she can tell you how many awards the district has received, how green the schools are and how many students will be crowded like cattle into new schools that weren't built for the future.
So much for "every child future ready..."
It seems like the city council's questions were all about the school districts relationship with the city. Why didn't the council know the answers? Who sets the developer impact fees? I thought I read at one time in the Seattle Post/Times, the City of Redmond and King County did? Why does the city council not know if they city roads dept works with district officials about congestion around school?
ReplyDeletePerhaps this a prime example of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing and the main reason LWSD schools in the eastern part of the district - where the growth is occurring - have schools which are the unbearably overcrowded. The city has permitted thousands of new homes with no thought or communication with LWSD as to where the new residents will send their children to school.
With a $365 tax increase for current residents just for more schools, it is certainly clear growth DOES NOT pay for growth! Shame on the city council!
Keep us posted on these developments!
Kudos to the Council and LWSD for holding open communications in the public to try to resolve long-standing issues of non-transparency.
ReplyDelete