Lake Washington School District Board endorses two Kirkland levy Propositions

UPDATED:  As we all know, Redmond has great parks and great funding to support them.  Just look at the most recent $278,200 plus funding approval to re-turf the Hartman Park Babe Ruth baseball field used for Redmond High home games and practices.

Kirkland is not so fortunate.  According to a Parks Board/PTSA  member speaking at a recent School Board Hearing, Kirkland has had to reduce funding for parks maintenance by 20% and reduce capital park improvement by 38% between 2008-2011.   In the meantime, Kirkland has annexed three  neighborhoods including 5 new parks   Kirkland has a "YES to Parks" Proposition 2 levy campaign underway to raise $2.35 million/year to fund parks capital improvements and maintenance, including $1 million to upgrade school play fields. 

Kirkland Parks Levy Proposition 2, if approved, would increase property tax for an average assessed house ($346,000) in Kirkland by $55.36 annually.   The Board voted to endorse the City of Kirkland's Park Proposition 2 unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent).  The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.  

The City of Kirkland funding gap doesn't stop with parks.  Kirkland, lead by Councilmember Dave Asher asked the School Board to endorse a $3 million/year Proposition One restoration, maintenance, and enhancement levy for their streets and sidewalks:   $2.7 million would fund arteriole preservation, $150,000 for city safe walk routes to schools, and $150,000 for neighborhood traffic, bike, and pedestrian safety measures.  The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013. 

Under the Streets Levy:  50 crosswalks would be upgraded with electronic warning devices.  500 new ADA wheelchair ramps installed. 230 crosswalks re striped. 

Kirkland Streets and Pedestrian Safety Levy Proposition I, if approved, would increase property tax for an averaged assessed house ($346,000 value) in Kirkland by $70.58 annually.  Redmond School Board member Siri Bliesner was "very supportive" of both measures.  Kirkland Councilmember Chris Carlson is a soccer coach and said "they'd be playing in the weeds" without Kirkland's support.  Carlson also noted how the bumps on yellow ADA ramps at intersections provide the blind with tactile feedback for safety.   The Board voted to endorse Proposition One unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent). 

Reported By Bob Yoder 

Dr. Traci Pierce begins transition into leadership

Sup. Chip Kimball

from the desk of Superintendent Chip Kimball to district staff...

"....There is great wisdom in the LWSD board selection of Traci Pierce as the next superintendent. She has a deep understanding of teaching and learning, knows Lake Washington well, and has all of the necessary skills to lead you into the future. I am extremely optimistic about the future of LWSD under her leadership.

Over the next three months you will see a deliberate transition in leadership as Traci develops her leadership team structure, sets district priorities, and communicates with you directly. She will be visiting with schools and departments, listening to staff, and you will have the opportunity to get to know her better. I am committed to working closely with her during this transition period to make sure she has adequate support as the incoming superintendent.

And while change and transition can indeed be personally and professionally challenging, it can also be exciting and life-giving. My greatest hope is that all of us will embrace the transition to a new school configuration, a new leader in Dr. Traci Pierce, and new challenges as we prepare students for the future."

Warm Regards, Chip
Outgoing Superintendent, LWSD
March 25, 2012 letter excerpt

School Board should consider Jane Todd for Superintendent

Jane Todd speaking from District podium, 2009

OPINION:  The Redmond Reporter's January 6 article: "Community invited to meet LWSD superintendent candidate” is misleading.  They write that: "Pierce will replace Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore."  District Director Kathryn Reith's  press release is the source of this mis-information.  The school board hasn't decided to replace Dr. Kimball with Dr.Traci Pierce. They prefer Traci Pierce and are open to feedback and candidate suggestions from the community.  On December 6, when I asked for clarification, Communications Director Ms. Reith wrote:

"The board did not hire Traci. It stated that she is their preferred candidate. She will go through a process of being introduced to the community (meet and greets) and the board will solicit feedback. The board could after that feedback decide not to hire Traci. If that is their decision, they could indeed look at other internal candidates or external candidates."

I commend the school board on engaging the community in this critical decision requiring their vote. Leaving their decision open to community feedback is a wise and thoughtful action. I have attended many school board meetings and work sessions and have seen Traci in action. She's excellent and a good fit with the Board. I don't know who could replace her.

As Traci makes her rounds, I am thrilled parents are getting a glimpse of Jane Todd's LEADERSHIP skills during school "Town Meetings" on configuration. Jane Todd is a skilled and admired LWSD principal with experience leading Juanita High and RHS administrations. Some may say she is the “people’s choice.” Administrator Todd is a leader in a time when we need leadership the most. And, who can possibly replace Traci Pierce as Deputy Superintendent of School Support. It’s a massive job. The School Board should take a second look at their “preferred.” In these times, LWSD needs a leader.

The School Board is asking for your feedback and candidate suggestions  Write them by February 6 to Board@lwsd.org.

Opinion by Bob Yoder

Published  in the Reporter, 1/13

Lake Washington School Board's Ravi Shahani recognized for his community service

Ravi Shahani
LW School Board, Redmond

The December 5th business meeting was a big night for Lake Washington School Board member, Ravi Shahani. After 8 years on the Board, Ravi was retiring to spend more time with his career and family. Parents, students, board members and staff gave special recognition to Ravi for his dedicated service to the district.

Above and beyond official school board work,  Ravi is a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer in our community. He participated in the city Education Hill Citizen's Advisory Committee ~six years ago advocating for Art, our schools, and technology. Ravi is a conscientious board member willing to sacrifice personal time for extracurricular board efforts.  For example, he attended Redmond city council meetings to promote district bond and levy programs. He addressed and informed Redmond Council on the acceleration of new information in our world and the challenge of keeping students current and future ready. And, we know he's done so much more!  Ravi's district BIO was removed from the website. No doubt, board member-elect Siri Bliesner is glad you'll still be around!  And so are we!

Thank you, Ravi for all that you do for our community!

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Ref:  http://www.eastsideindianed.org/

Lake Washington School Board President Pendergrass ran unopposed after Hudson withdrew - takes 55.38% of vote

School Board Pres. J.  Pendergrass

Jackie Pendergrass, a longtime board member and  board president won 55.38% of the votes.  She ran unopposed, though the Voter's Pamphlet published Cynthia Hudson as an opponent.  Cynthia withdrew from the race this summer but Ms. Hudson still got a surprisingly large vote of 44.24%. 

Ms. Pendergrass will continue to hold her District #1, Board of Directors seat.  District #1 includes Kirkland, including Juanita.  

The three Lake Washington School district board of directors races were also unchallenged, but one of the school board member positions will be filled by Education Hill's  Siri Bliesner, a Redmond resident. Ms. Bliesner will replace Ravi Shahani, District position #5.  Ravi didn't file for re-election after serving 10 years in the position.

Mr.Chris Carlson, PhD, of Kirkland, ran unopposed taking 99.06% of the ballots cast.  Newcomer Ms. Siri Bliesner took 98.90%., as of November 8. 

The levy bond failure limiting capital funding for remondernization of Juanita H.S.and longer distance to the eastside STEM school didn't appear to influence the vote for Carlson.

The reported election result quotes are preliminary, as of the 11/8/2011, 8:15 PM count. 

Who is Siri Bliesner?
 http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2011/10/siri-bliesner-poised-to-be-new-member.html

The King County Election Results link:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/p/2011-election-voting-guide.html
City of Redmond Election Results link: http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201111/respage44.aspx

Reported By Bob Yoder

There's another Doctor in the "School House" (besides Kimball!)



Chris Carlson, PhD
LWSD School Board, Dist. 2

 Dr. Christopher Carlson, LWSD Director, District Two – Resident of Kirkland is running unopposed for school board for a second term this year.

First elected 11/2007
Term ends 11/2011

Christopher Carlson, Ph.D, was elected to the school board in November 2007. He is a faculty member in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Division of Public Health Sciences. His lab focuses on identifying correlations between genetic variation and disease risk for cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases, and then identifying the causal biological mechanism responsible for the correlation. Carlson is also an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. He holds a B.A. in molecular biology from Pomona College and a Ph.D in genetics from Stanford University.  Read More >>