UPDATED: 2023 League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters offers Vote411.org where candidates are given the opportunity to submit written answers to their questions.  

Go to Vote422.org, enter your address, and find and compare your candidates' answers.  They are very informative; a good read! 

As of this date, (10/20/2023) David Carson, Jeff Cashman, Angela Birney, Osman Salahuddin, Janel Schermerhorn, and Linsey Yocum have submitted answers.   

I'll monitor the site for updates.     

Source:  

Allison Feher

Administrative Manager

LWV of Seattle-King County

1511 Third Avenue, Suite 900 Seattle, WA 98101

206-329-4848| www.lwvskc.org 

Leah Choi Thanks Councilmembers Jeralee Anderson and Steve Fields For Their Support In The School Board Race (video clip)

Leah Choi challenged Cassandra Sage for Lake Washington School District Board of Directors Position 3.  Leah Choi (53.99%) was leading Casandra Sage (45.45%) as of 8:15 p.m. 11/2.  Lake Washington School District is the second largest in the State of Washington.

-- Bob Yoder, 11/3/2021

Leah Choi Leading Cassandra Sage In LWSD School Board Race

 

Leah Choi (53.99%) leading Casandra Sage (45.45%) as of 8:15 p.m. 11/2.

 
Education: B.S. Chemistry/Molecular Biology, University of Denver; Ph.D. Candidate Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego

Occupation: Parent; Financial Planner, Nordstrom

Statement:

In a rapidly changing world, students deserve a public education that will adapt and prepare them for success. This requires leaders who are committed to doing the work and driving educational progress.

Our schools must lead in educating students and communities on the critical issue of Earth’s climate. We are living with the consequences of human driven climate change, and we need to better prepare future generations for the challenge it poses.

I support the work to provide technical training for students who may choose non-traditional secondary education and will work to enhance and grow these opportunities, because not everyone learns the same way and there are many paths to success.

Finally, we need to consider implementing science-based recommendations like changing our school start times. Overwhelming evidence supports delaying school start times for adolescents. It’s time that we join the thousands of schools nationwide that have made this change and are reaping the benefits. My diverse background in education, science and business gives me a unique perspective to work collaboratively and achieve goals. It would be an honor to work for our community and I am grateful for your vote. Endorsed by: NWPC-WA and Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion.

-- 2021 King County Voters Pamphlet

V.3 High LW School District Administration salaries to a degree impact students and educators

OPINION:  The Lake Washington School District Central Leadership Team and some administrator salaries are too high; the end result, our students and educators are somewhat impacted by misuse of these public funds.

The new LWSD "Communications and Community Engagement" Director of less then two years, is paid a flat $169,285 per year.  In my opinion, this is excessive. The Mayor of Redmond (and CEO) is paid less than $138,000 and he doesn't get summers off. 

Looking at the district's Central Leadership Team Organizational Chart and a Board meeting packet, 16 Directors earn $169,285/yr and 9 Associate Directors earn $153,330/yr....all on flat salaries with no low or high ranges.  It's my thought, Director salaries should be on a sliding scale based on performance and experience.  Keep in mind, school business slows or ceases in many departments when school is out ... for example "Communications and Community Engagement"...not much engagement then.

In my opinion, Barbara Posthumus, the district CFO and "Associate Superintendent of Business and Support Services" in underpaid.  She appears to be the point person in the community during levy and bond measure proposals. What could be more valuable?

Dr. Jon Holmen, the Deputy Superintendent  oversees five Directors who play a key role in the Administration.  His Directors are invaluable and underpaid. They bridge the schools with the Central Central Leadership Team, and oversee all the principals. According to School Board member Cassandra Sage, Dr. Holmen's Directors are required to be in the schools 2.5 days per week.

Director Matt Gillingham runs "Student and School Support Services."  I first met Matt during Truancy Board training.  Mr. Gillingham is responsible for student safety, social-emotional well-being, mental health recovery, bullying issues and also oversees the athletic department. He should be paid more than a Director.

Superintendent Jane Stavem is the CEO of the third largest school district in the State; the district is growing at the pace of one new elementary school per year.  It's my understanding, Dr. Stavem is already bringing efficiencies by streamlining the Administration. 

Dr. Stavem will hopefully learn the capabilities and assets of her workers to rank and pay them accordingly.  Paying flat salaries doesn't encourage innovation or reward those who produce.  Low-median-high salary ranges would keep turnover low to retain valuable workers and attract others.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/23/19

Sources:  December 14th, 2018 School Board meeting packet / public record request
                City of Redmond public record request
                Redmond City Television, Comcast 21
          

A look into the bowels of a 166th Ave. construction site

View from the 166th Ave. sidewalk

   

This construction site at 8360-165th Ave. NE is visible from 166th Ave. and 165th Ave.  It's currently named "The Village" and will have 96 multi-family apartments.  The entrance will be from 165th.

At last week's school board meeting, LWSD Director Mark Stuart suggested taking students to the school construction sites to study construction engineering AND the trades. Hiring and pay is strong in the trades. What a novel, innovative teaching idea!    Board member Cassandra Sage agreed with Mark. President Bliesner tabled the idea to move the meeting on.

In my opinion, the construction sites shouldn't have to be restricted to schools like Juanita.  This site can be easily and safely studied from a sidewalk, rain or shine with no mud.  Teachers could plan field trips around convenient times for the workers to learn from them,,,, maybe lunch time.

B. Yoder

UPDATED: The importance and methods of communicating with LWSD

Are you a school district taxpayer and supporter of our schools and would like to be more informed about upcoming bond measures?   (Remember the capital bond measure didn't pass twice until after a community Task Force was formed?)  Did your child graduate from the district and now wants to know what's going on with their school?  Are you interested in updates and information of community gatherings like Boundary Review Community meetings?  If so, then you definitely want to sign up for the "Connections e-Newsletter."  Click HERE to subscribe.

Public School Board meetings are an excellent venue to comment about bond measures, describe any problem your student is having in the classroom,  propose improvements, and yes, even thank the Board and Dr. Pierce for the work they do!  The school board volunteers  many hours to represent us (while working at their day jobs.)

If you want to attend a public Board Meeting to comment on an issue this link gives a convenient notice and reminder of upcoming Board Meetings. The meetings start at 7 pm and are held in the District Resource Center.  Go here.for a timely and convenient notice of upcoming Board meetings. 

You may e-mail the Board. at BoardMembers@lwsd.org  

Bethany Pendergrass is an excellent person to talk to about any school issue you have.. She's the  "Director of Communications and Public Engagement".  Her e-mail is bpendergrass@lwsd.org. or call 425-936-1342

--B.Yoder

Rosa Parks Parents and School Board Frustrated by "glacial slowness" of LWSD Administration

Rosa Parks Elementary on Redmond Ridge is severely overcrowded and the LWSD School Board and Administration know it.   More than 20 parents and students have presenting twice during Board meetings for over an hour about the unacceptable conditions and Superintendent Pierce visited the school in August.   Pierce's short term solution so far is to add more administrative help and limit recess to two grades at a time.   The school's ten portables cut out 50% from the play areas not leaving much room for fun or a solution to the overcrowding.   The school structure and grounds have a capacity of 483 students yet according to parent Heather Rosenburg "it's almost approaching 800 students." 

Another parent, Karen Swenson says "enrollment could reach 900 students if development keeps increasing at Redmond Ridge East.  Sending only Kindigardners to Wilder does not achieve right size.  We need a decision by the end of January before Kindigarden registration - including forcasted enrollment - to decide if we should stay, move, varience, home school, and go to private schools." 

Dr. Pierce will hold a meeting with the Rosa Parks community September 27, 6:45-8:15PM, at the school to seek feedback on short term solutions and discuss long term plans. According to parent Beth Zimmerman, Katheryn Reith of the Administration identifies short term solutions as: 1) eliminate full day kindergarten, 2) convert specialized classrooms to regular classrooms, 3) set new boundaries, 4) bus students, 5) add two more portables.  Zimmerman called the overcrowding an emergency situation. 

Julie Ann, parent of a second grader and past community liaison to the Seattle Public Schools understood the Superintendent Pierce's goal not to reboundary twice for students in Redmond East.  She recommended temporary relocation saying North Shore District has accommodated schools similarly in the past where she once lived and the boundaries are not complex. 

A parent with a second grader recommended moving Kindergartners and 1st Graders to Wilder (which is 75% of capacity with declining enrollment).  Or, to move Redmond Ridge East except Chandler to Wilder. 

Boardmember Chris Carlson said:

"I wanted to hear from somebody from Redmond Ridge East.  I have yet to hear from such people.  It still feels we have a community that's asking to move the other half of your school but I haven't heard that yet.  People clamouring to "Please bus us to Wilder" would be fantastic but I haven't heard that yet." 

Boardmember Chris Carlson from the Kirkland district concluded for the Board saying,

"We do feel your pain and the solution is going to be frustratingly slow - glacial.  It won't happen before the next meeting.  The community must work with Superintendent Pierce.  We as a Board are not writing a check to move all those kids [to Wilder Elementary].  It's unacceptable not being able to solve it [the overcrowding] this year but it's slow.  Tracie will work with you as a community.  It's something we are hoping you can work with her." 

Redmond's new school board member Siri Bliesner said "it's been a long term problem and it's important to be addressed now."   Redmond Ridge school board member Doug Eglington said "it's not fun.  It's frustratingly slow and will take some time." 

President Pendergrass from Kirkland and Juanita area said "there will be a solution" before Kindergarten registration in January so parents can decide where to send their kids.  "Superintendent Pierce is trying to involve the entire Redmond Ridge East and West communities and it takes time."

Reported by Bob Yoder

"The job of the Board is to represent the citizens and to lead the organization by asking critical questions and by determining and demanding appropriate and excellent organizational performance." (LWSD By-Laws)
 

Lake Washington Schools Foundation allocates $72,000 for LINKS tutor/mentor program next year.

7th Annual LWSF luncheon at LW High raised $130K

Lake Washington Schools Foundation allocates $72,000 to LINKS mentor / tutor program for 2012-2013 school year.  Volunteers will be needed to serve 1500 students. 

With outgoing President Terri Blier by her side, LeeAnn Wood, Executive Director of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF)announced plans to bolster the LINKS program at the School Board's last public meeting.
LINKS, short for "Looking Into the Needs of Kids," is a mentoring and tutoring program that recruits and trains volunteers "to work one-on-one with students to help them feel connected, valued, and challenged," said LeeAnn Wood.  "Volunteers come from all walks of life:  they're retirees, business workers, community volunteers, and parents."  LeeAnn said they learn skills like problem solving, critical creative thinking, and work & collaborating with peers.

Last year 788 students were served by 158 volunteers for a total of 4400 hours - and 60 kids were still on the waiting list for a mentor by the end of last year.  Next year, the Foundation's Executive Board projects student needs to double to almost 1500.  LeeAnn said they're waiting for the program person's plan from the district.

Ms. Wood announced the Foundation's four new officers for next year.  Peg Hunt is the new President.  Peg's been on the Board since 2009 and has two sons in school.  She has a BS in Psychology from University of Washington and a Master's in Organizational Psychology from San Diego University.  Peg has 8 year's experience working as a scientist for Batelle in Seattle and fundraising success at over $350,000 levels.  Read More >>

Washington passes law for better teacher and principal evaluations, recap

LW School Board Director Doug Eglington usually gives a governmental affairs report at school board meetings.

from the desk of David Powell, Policy Director, Stand for Children/Washington...

Legislative session isn't over yet -- our lawmakers are still hammering out the details of the state budget -- but we have some big wins to celebrate with you!

What worked:

Our top priority, better teacher and principal evaluations, was signed into law on March 8, 2012.

New teacher and principal evaluations will offer meaningful feedback for educators. The new evaluation system (SB 5895) will:

>>Build on the teacher and principal evaluation pilot programs currently underway in 16 districts.
>>Use a four tier system (instead of the old satisfactory/unsatisfactory rating) to provide meaningful feedback.
>>Match professional development opportunities with individual needs.
>>Consider student learning improvement as one factor in evaluations.
>>Ensure that evaluations consider multiple factors and not just test scores.
>>Consider evaluations in hiring, firing and placement decisions.

We also worked together with coalition partners to:  Read More >>

LWSD Board selects Dr. Traci Pierce as new superintendent

Dr. Traci Pierce

I've inserted the italicized paragraphs to Kathryrn Reith's press release for additional insight.  B.Y.

Dr. Traci Pierce, experienced educational leader to continue current initiatives

Redmond, Wash. – At its February 27 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lake Washington School District unanimously voted to hire Dr. Traci Pierce, the district’s deputy superintendent, instructional services, as the district’s new superintendent. Pending the negotiation of a contract, she will replace the departing Dr. Chip Kimball, who becomes superintendent of the Singapore American School on July 1.

President Jackie Pendergrass reviewed the selection process as follows:  In September, Kimball announced he was leaving the District.  November 7th, the Board conducted a survey of parents, staff, and the community.  December 5th, the Board (with Ravi) after interviews unanimously announced Traci Pierce as their "preferred candidate."  "Meet and Great" meetings were held at Sammamish, Redmond, Kirkland and the District headquarters for staff.  (20-30 people showed up at each meeting).  Twenty-six people submitted comments. BY 

Board member Dr. Chris Carlson said he "believes in brevity" on this, saying he heard little "negative stuff."  BY  Read More >>

UPDATED JANUARY 25: LWSD Board looks to community for feedback on their "only most important decision" - hiring a superintendent

Jackie Pendergrass
President, LWSD  Board

UPDATED, Jan. 25:  I'd like to correct the Redmond Reporter's January 6 article: "Community invited to meet LWSD superintendent candidate."   The Reporter writes: "Pierce will replace Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore." This is misleading. The school board hasn't decided to replace Mr. Kimball with Traci Pierce.  They prefer Traci but are still open to suggestions and feedback. 

Deadline for input is February 22.  Contact: Board@lwsd.org


On December 6, Communications Director Kathryn 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 they must vote on.  As the Board likes to say, "hiring a superintendent  is the only most important decision they make.";  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 terrific and a good fit with the Board.  I don't know who could replace her in School Services.

As Traci makes her rounds, I am thrilled parents are getting a glimpse of Jane Todd's leadership skills during district "Town Meetings" on class re-configuration.  Please comment.

In the Evergreen JH Town Meeting and a PTSA newsletter, Ms. Todd speaks to the re-configuration challenge:

“We will get there by small steps and a clear view of our destination, not by grandiose plans that feel too big to accomplish, at least not all at once. When staff members look at me with desperation and fear in their eyes, born out of concern for students more than for themselves, I have been saying, "Take a deep breath and then take one manageable step... And, I mean it.”   

NEW!!  For families of incoming students, there's still time to see Traci and Jane and give your feedback to the school board, as follows:

>>>Traci Pierce's City of Sammamish: Tuesday, January 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave SE Sammamish, WA

>>>Lake Washington School District: Wednesday, January 25 from 4:00- 5:30 p.m. in the Hughes Room of the L.E. Scarr Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St., Redmond.

>>>Traci Pierce's City of Kirkland: Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Avenue Kirkland

>>>Jane Todd's  DATES MOVED AHEAD DO TO SNOW:  RHS Town Meeting for families of incoming students is in the Performing Arts Center, on Jan. 18 (Soph) and Jan. 25 (Frosh).  Call the new RHS number for times:  425-936-1800

Opinion By Bob Yoder

2010 Key Facts on Exam Results and Education Spending for LWSD

Key Facts about Lake Washington Public Schools
March 2011

Research released in March, 2011 by Washington Policy Center, a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Seattle, provides key facts for the Lake Washington School District.  Education budgets in Washington State are at historic highs, reaching $10,200 per student statewide.

Average teacher pay in this area (LWSD) is $58,981. Yet, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement.

Detailed research and ideas for reform are available in our study, “Eight Practical Ways to Reverse the Decline of Public Schools.”   The following ared 2010 "Key Facts" for Lake Washington School District:


 Schools and Students
• Number of students: 23,142
• Number of schools: 50.

Education Spending
• Total education 2009-10: $322.6 million
• Total per-student spending: $13,778
• Operations budget 2009-2010: $212.1 million
• Per-student spending, operations only: $9179

• Average teacher pay for ten-month work year: $58,981
• Average teacher pay with all benefits: $76,675
• Average administrator pay with all benefits: $143,603
• Superintendent’s pay without benefits: $211,098
• Number of employees paid over $100,000 a year: 73
• Education funds paid as dues to teachers’ union in May 2007-8: $1.7 million

 Exam Results - 10 Measures of Student Progress and High School Proficiency
• 16% of fourth graders failed in reading
• 17% of fourth graders failed in math
• 19% of fourth graders failed in writing
• 17% of eighth graders failed in reading
• 38% of eighth graders failed in math
• 9% of tenth graders failed in reading
• 34% of tenth graders failed in math
• 7% of tenth graders failed in writing
• 28% of tenth graders failed in science

Lake Washington Schools Operating Spending per Pupil
2004 - 2005 $7419
2009 - 2010 $9180

Student Learning (Students in Washington state are entitled to 180 days of class time.)
• Number of full class days provided by Lake Washington Schools: 169
• High school on-time graduation rate: 92.6%

Summary of Key Facts about LWSD - http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/facts/key-facts-about-lake-washington-public-schools

Reported  By: Kendra, Intern, Washington Policy Center, 3/4/2011
intern@washingtonpolicy.org
Washington Policy Center (WPC)
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/

Do you want comment on this? Feel free. Or, send a Letter with your name and I'll post it. B.Y. redmondblog@gmail.com  Republished in part.  Edited by for brevity B.Y.

LW School District Administration publishes less restrictive Pet Policy.

The Lake Washington School District Administration writes....

"In order to manage the risks associated with the presence of dogs on district property, the following restrictions applies to dogs on school grounds and in buildings:

No dogs are allowed on district property between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any school day, except for bona fide service dogs. No dogs are permitted in district athletic stadiums at any time, except for bona fide service dogs.

*At all other times dogs must be leashed and controlled by owners. Owner must clean up after their dogs and remove waste from district premises.

Service animals and guide dogs are allowed on district property in accordance with state law. The definition of a guide dog and service animal are found in RCW 49.60.040 (8) and (24)."

-- Entire Pet Policy is here:  LWSD website, Administrative Policy, Adopted 8/29/2011

* Previous Administrative Pet Policy restricted dogs on leash after school hours when students (children) were present.  According to the Administration (10/6) new Pet Policy signs will be posted at every school after they are made.  The School Board doesn't vote on Administrative Policies.  B.Y.

UPDATED: Lake Washington School District Superintendent Chip Kimball will step down to head international school in Singapore

Singapore American School - "largest single-campus international school in the world,
 with 3,878 students, 353 faculty members, and 222 support staff"

“As a board, we are dismayed to learn that Dr. Kimball will be leaving us while at the same time we are happy for him and his family in their new endeavors,” said Jackie Pendergrass, president of the board of directors for Lake Washington School District

Redmond, Wash. – Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent of Lake Washington School District, announced today that the 2011-12 school year will be his last in that position. “After extensive soul searching and deliberation, my wife Cheryl and I have decided to spend the next phase of our personal and professional lives overseas,” said Dr. Kimball. “Beginning in the summer of 2012, I will serve as the superintendent of the Singapore American School in Singapore.” Dr. Kimball noted that his decision was a very difficult one, made only after much deliberation with his family.  Read More >>

School Levies | Ross Hunter

Ross Hunter
48th District Representative
Chair, Ways and Means

"We spend MUCH to heavily on local property tax to fund  education"
  
-- Ross Hunter, Chairman of House Ways and Means,  Ross Hunter's Blog

School Levies Ross Hunter: "For the past two years we’ve had a group of technical experts working on proposals on how to fix school levies.

Read more about the basic problems with local levy funding

Bill Gates provides guideposts for nation's governors on education: effective teachers, larger class sizes, charter public schools and no furlough days

Bill Gates addressing National Governor's
Association, February 28, 2011

Bill Gates provides guideposts for nation's governors on education: effective teachers, larger class sizes, charter public schools and no furlough days

March 2, 2011 by Liv Finne

Bill Gates, in Monday’s speech before the National Governor’s Association, offered practical policy changes to improve education within existing revenues. Mr. Gates’ recommendations echo research and recommendations for improving education from Washington Policy Center.

Mr. Gates challenged the view that reducing class size is the best way to improve student achievement. He pointed out that this view has driven school budget increases for more than 50 years, so that today, U.S. schools have almost twice as many teachers per student as they did in 1960. In 1960 the ratio of students to public school employees was 20 to 1; today that ratio is 8 to 1.

Mr. Gates notes that increased staffing and spending have failed to yield the desired results. Student achievement is roughly the same today as it was in 1960. Mr. Gates observed that we have poured money into proxies for improving education, like smaller class sizes, automatic salary increases based on seniority and a pay bump for earning an advanced degree. None of these expenditures has been shown to improve student learning.  Read more >>

Read More >>

Facts about Lake Washington School District spending and exam results

from the desk of WPC intern Kendra
UPDATED:  3/10/2011

Washington Policy Center (WPC)
PO Box 3643 Seattle, WA 98124
P 206-937-9691
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/

Key Facts about Lake Washington Public Schools
February 2011

New research released by Washington Policy Center, a non-partisan public policy research think tank based in Seattle, provides key facts for the Lake Washington School District.  Education budgets in Washington State are at historic highs, reaching $10,200 per student statewide.  Average teacher pay in this area (LWSD) is $58,981. Yet, because of restrictive work rules and multi-layered bureaucracy, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement.

READ MORE (student failure rate, average teacher salary, superintendent salary, spending/pupil, etc.) >>

REPUBLISHED: Dr. Kimball unveils plan to cope with severe overcrowding in LW schools

Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball

 October 11, 2010 Regular Board Meeting (video)

REPUBLISHED from 10/11/2010 -  Jill, a mother of two with a daughter at Rockwell Elementary, testified to the School Board last night about "the horrors of overcrowding".  Jill was shocked when she learned the Rosa Parks Elementary population reached 700 this year and she fears it won't be long for Rockwell.  When she moved to the neighborhood 3.5 years ago Rockwell had 480 students.  Today it's 610, with new portables and few options for full-day Kindergarten.   

Based on Jill's testimony, the overcrowding problem in some elementary schools is real .  Data from the input sessions suggested that the District ask for money to deal with immediate overcrowding issues but "not over ask".  Superintendent Kimball and the Board agreed on the following proposal for the February, 2011 ballot.

• a $65.4 million, 6-year Levy to pay for new 250-student additions at Redmond High and Eastlake High AND to build nearby a 675 student "STEM" school for grades 6-12.   
• the Levy tax is 0.31/$1000 assessed property; or $155/year for a $500,000 house.  No financing or interest is applied. 
• the "STEM" school core curriculum  is "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math" with a goal to incubate best practices for other schools.   STEM will cost $25 million with solid modular construction.
• Juanita High will "not be modernized right now" saving $135 million.
• Kimball's levy measure will cost taxpayers $190 million less than last year's bond which failed by 4%. The Levy only needs and 50% simple majority to pass.  Last year's bond required a 60% majority.
• Levy benefits:  no HS over 2,000.  no meg-high schools.  no double shifts.  no portables.  no excessive busing.  permanent classrooms, core gyms and cafeterias. keep space for computers and music.    

President Jackie Pendergrass said the STEM school should draw some grant money from outside sources. She suggested Microsoft and the Lake Washington School Foundation  as sources.  Board member Shahani was concerned about Juanita High age, but said the STEM school is needed to solve the space problem.  He likes the STEM "Choice" school concept.  Board member Bernard was pleased with the 1000 person survey turnout, no portables, possible federal grants, and no double-shift nightmares. She emphasized the new ventilation system at Juanita and the wonderful staff.  Board member Carlson said he favors "all Choice all the time" and asked to double the size of the STEM school to eliminate the two additions.  Kimball said this wasn't feasible.  READ MORE >>

Results from three community input sessions and a website survey were reviewed by Superintendent Kimball and the Board.   Parent and community participants (58%) recommended the District ask for money to deal with immediate overcrowding issues but "not over ask".   69% of the parents said "no not right now" to spending $135 Million on modernizing Juanita High School.  Juanita High was built in l971.  70% did not want to eliminate classrooms for music and computers.  All-day kindergartens received the most support for solving overcrowding.  70% gave a thumbs down on portables.  68% said yes to two new elementary schools in the next five years.  74% agreed to permanent classroom additions at Redmond and Eastlake High.  The statistical validity or significance of the survey was not discussed.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Republished:  1/23/2011
Source:  10/11/2010, Regular Board Meeting archives
Photo of Dr. Kimball from LWSD website
http://lwsd.org/

Reporter story of the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification

Bob Yoder

OPINION:  "Reporter story on the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification"  By Bob Yoder

I think Mary Decker's October 6 story "Parents weigh in on overcrowding issue" is very well written,  except for a couple omissions, as follows:

1)  Error & Omission:   Two new District Superintendents (Pierce & Vaille) attended and participated in the October 6 input session.  The Reporter omitted them.

This summer Superintendent Chip Kimball initiated significant organizational changes to the District administration.  (see my earlier post).  One change, was to promote Dr. Traci Pierce to Deputy Superintendent of School Instruction and move Dr. John Vaille to Assistant Superintendent of Technology.  Pierce and Vaille now report directly to Superintendent Dr. Kimball rather than to Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard.  Janene is now freed up to direct Administrative operations.  Dr. Pierce, Dr. Vaille, and Barbara Posthumus actively participated in this vibrant October 9th input session.  Their participation was absent in last year's feeder school and levy input sessions. 

2)  Clarification:  Not one School Board member attended  or participated in the Oct. 6 input meeting.  The Reporter omitted this.  When a parent questioned how LWSD planned to "advertise" its desire for community support for more funding, Fogard noted, " The district can only provide information.  It can not spend money to promote its agenda."  [Reporter]

What wasn't said is:  the School Board IS authorized to promote the agenda, so why weren't they there?  Board members Ravi Shahanni, Chris Carlson, and Nancy Bernard missed all three overcrowding input meetings.  Our Community needs the full support and participation of our School Board members if future levy and bonds are to pass.  Last year is a perfect lesson.

School Board members advertise and promote their candidacy to voters when they're up for re-election; why can't give the same level of support to our schools during bond and levy elections?

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Comprehensive Update on LWSD Administration and School Board - including salaries, public access, the budget, & elections

School is out for the summer and the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors have suspended their meetings for seven weeks.  But, there is still much to report!

Open This Link to find the following: 

• Participate at the August 9 Board meeting (7pm) when the Final Budget will be proposed (and approved). 
• Learn what we pay LWSD administrators - from the Chiefs to the Coordinators. 
• How do you run for School Board?   Three district terms end in 2011. 
• and much more... 

Report & opinion by Bob Yoder