"The many colors of bipolar mood disorder" Dale Chihuly art (Internet) |
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
"The many colors of bipolar mood disorder" Dale Chihuly art (Internet) |
Fewer students in elementary leads to an eventual decline in secondary schools.
The School Board is proposing a $676.9 million, 6-year construction levy this year. If passed, 2 elementary schools and 2 middle schools will be rebuilt and enlarged.
"WHY IS ENROLLMENT DECLINING in our schools even with so much construction going on in the district?
ANSWER: "The district is tracking over 9,500 residential units opening within the next 10 years. The majority of the new construction is now multi-family housing (apartments, condominiums, townhomes) rather than single-family. Multi-family housing units do not generate as many students as single family homes do. Multi-family housing generates about seven students for every 100 units vs. a single-family development that generates about 60 students for every 100 homes. This housing growth is certainly offsetting what could be larger enrollment declines. The other reason for the decline is a decline in birth rates. Birth rates are down for Lake Washington area, King County, and across the country. This results in lower kindergarten enrollment and fewer students enrolling at the elementary level. Fewer students in elementary leads to an eventual decline in secondary, even though secondary school enrollment is currently not declining in the same way."
Source: LWSD Demographics, FAQ
Posted by Bob Yoder, 6/3/2024
Dr. Jon Holmen, LWSD Superintendent says...
"Our community has an opportunity to set the stage for future generations, continuing to make Lake Washington a great place to live, raise a family and educate children,” said “Our students deserve educational environments that match the excellence we strive to attain with each of our students.”
Why does the district need a construction levy?
To continue to provide excellence in education for the students of our community, LWSD recommends placing this measure on the ballot. This levy will focus on aging facilities - to rebuild and enlarge the four remaining schools that have not received upgrades or rebuilds since the start of the 1998 modernization program. This levy would allow the district to ensure secure facilities with single entry points, interior hallways, and other features to ensure students continue to learn in a safe environment.
Levy will focus on replacing four aging schools and upgrading/modernizing the fieldhouse and community pool at Juanita High School.
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn issued the following statement Wednesday after the King County Regional Homelessness Authority issued its 2024 Point-in-Time count of the number of people experiencing homelessness in King County, which tallied 16,385 people:
“King County’s homeless population has surged nearly 50% since the King County Regional Homelessness Authority was first formed five years ago and a shocking 23% since 2022, despite the millions of dollars spent. Leaders need to face the fact that the KCRHA’s current approach doesn’t work. Lives depend on leadership’s ability to change course.”
-- CONTACT: Daniel DeMay, 206-265-9197
Neighborhood Meeting with Council, 2019 |
Council Writes New Rules For Public Participation in response to uncivil comments by "SafeEastside" anti-homeless protesters.
Only for city business are citizens allowed to speak during City Hall "Items from the Audience." All speakers must conclude their public comments within three minutes. Any public comments made after three minutes are considered disruptive and may result in removal of the speaker from the meeting.
Public commenters may not provide any comments which would be considered:
Carol Lee, CEO of Plymouth Housing held a forum on April 27 for Redmond business and community members to learn about Plymouth's homeless services and operations. About five businesses showed up.
Plymouth Housing will build a downtown facility for 100 chronic homeless people. It will be sited in a 6-story building near Anderson Park, with completion expected by 2026
Redmond Technology Station Train / credit "Experience Redmond" |
The City of Redmond's lack of good information on Silver Cloud-Redmond homeless housing and Plymouth Housing prompted this post.
Open Government: The Peoples Right To Know
Redmond has three local governments: The City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth Public Hospital. The public has a "right to know" information about their inner workings. Public Record Request forms usually find the information you need. When you don't get good information or it's a hassle finding it, you may feel like the bearded guy in the cartoon!
Below, are helpful links to the Public Record Request forms for each government. In my investigative reporting, I have some good experience with them and their Public Request Offices. I've found the public records office of EvergreenHealth the most professional, the City of Redmond a close second with LWSD in the rear.
(l-r) Hank Margeson, Angela Birney, Brian Shutz, John Stilin, David Carson. Hank Myers is behind Carson. Stephanie Rodriguez is in blue. |