Community Task Force recommends building more schools in Lake Washington S.D.

Group advises district on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, continued community involvement

Redmond, Wash. – After nearly a year of work by the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Long Term Facilities Task Force, P.S. Reilly, Task Force member and parent, called its recommendations “a reasonable person’s approach to what is a very tough problem.” The tough problem was the issue of classroom capacity and aging schools in a rapidly growing school district. The “reasonable person” represents the collective wisdom of the 63-person community task force as well as the larger community, represented by input collected during the process.

            Reilly, a task force member and parent, presented the Task Force's 254-page report

to the Board of Directors at its November 9 meeting. It is the outcome of nearly a year of work by the volunteer Task Force and its Working Subcommittee. Several smaller groups also dug into specific topics, including the efficient use of space in school buildings.

Build to house enrollment growth

            The Task Force report recommends the district build more schools to meet growing classroom needs, with further guidance on how to approach building. Updating or replacing aging schools should focus on those schools that can also add more classrooms.

            LWSD’s enrollment has grown by an average of 625 students each year over the last five years. That equals the size of a large elementary school added every year. Some current school buildings need updating or replacing due to their age and building conditions. The Task Force was charged with recommending strategies to address both of these issues for the 2017-18 through 2029-30 school years.

            The Task Force recommended a list of specific projects to meet the district’s needs through 2029-30, while also suggesting potentially innovative projects to explore.  Read More >>

Finding more classroom space to cope with overcrowding in LWSD schools

UPDATED OPINION: There's been a lot of chatter in the community about "classroom space issues" in LWSD schools.  The school district actually has a lot of space at its schools across the district. Some residents just don't think the District uses the space efficiently.  Redmond's schools are painfully overcrowded - but many of the brand new schools in Kirkland have an amazing amount of unused space.  It appears that many in the community never got to discussing this during the Long Term Facilities Planning Task Force meetings or by communication with the School Board. 

The district prefers "year-round multi-track" if we don't pass the bond; but do they have the resources to implement it?  Or the district could have morning and afternoon sessions for high school students.  (There's some support for having 6AM-12:30PM and11AM-5:30PM scheduling at the high schools.) But first, the district could remodel its elementary and middle schools to more efficiently use the interior pods that are wasted space. Second, they could move the preschools to rented space at churches or office buildings - freeing up at least 20 classrooms for elementary students. The District needs to make a more concerted effort to finding greater space efficiencies in our schools. 

Opinion by Bob Yoder

LETTER: Redmond Human Services Increases Homeless Population

What never gets reported on is how when you provide homeless services the homeless population increases. The City of Redmond is a perfect example. About three years ago Down Town Redmond did not have a significant homeless problem. But since they started providing services to young homeless men three years ago the homeless population has skyrocketed. The problem is mostly young men. 

Per the Redmond City Focus Group Minutes 21 out of 21 homeless interviewed by the City of Redmond that answered the question where they were from before they became homeless in Redmond all 21 of them gave a location other than Redmond. The interviews were conducted by Colleen Kelly the Assistant Director of Community Planning for the City of Redmond, I was at one of the interviews. The proof is in the interview minutes. If you do not believe the attachments go directly to the City web site, see below. Eight out of the twenty one persons interviewed were from another state.

Interviews of the homeless are on the City of Redmond web site here. To get to them scroll down to Focus Groups.  

The Redmond Reporter had the facts, but when they reported on the Homeless Task Force they would not report the fact that 21 out of 21 persons interviewed were not from Redmond. 

If City Hall had not given a 64.3% super majority to homeless advocates on the task force the following proposals would have been passed and reduced the imported homeless problem in Redmond at very little cost to the city:

1) Adopt a panhandling ordinance - This has been done by Tacoma and Pierce County in 2007 and 2008. Constitutionally it has not been challenged. The regulations prohibit panhandling near ATM machines, near the entrance to a business (you have to be 25' away to smoke), at night, as someone is getting out of their car (you are in a vulnerable position), etc.  Karen Reed the consultant that ran the Task Force confirmed that the ordinances have not been challenged and that the Police typically do not give fines or make arrests but use the ordinance as a tool. Currently in Redmond if a person wants to panhandle next to an ATM and a Police Officer asks him to move, the panhandler can tell him to get lost that he has every right to panhandle next to the ATM. This item got 57% support, if the Task Force had not been filled with 64.3% homeless advocates it would have been recommended.

2) Post Signs to discourage panhandling and encourage the public to give to charities instead - Being given money attracts panhandlers. If you encourage the public not to give to panhandlers directly it will help to reduce panhandling. This item got 43% support, if the Task Force had not been filled with 64.3% homeless advocates it would have been recommended.

Al Rosenthal

Redmond Homeless Task Force Member  

Building Owner, Down Town Redmond

One Redmond announces networking event for all sectors of business

As the Director of Investor Relations (Heidi Archer) here at OneRedmond, I am fortunate to be able to meet and connect with many of our business owners and community leaders on a daily basis. Being a Redmond resident myself, I feel privileged to build relationships with the people who make up my community. As I meet new faces and get to know each of you and your goals I hear a repeating desire of having a more "connected" community. OneRedmond wants to help our residents and business members do just that with our engaging events.  

Community Connections our quarterly networking event brings all sectors of business together to network and create relationships in a friendly, relaxed environment. Our next event will be hosted by our partners at Redmond Marriott Towncenter.  General Manager Dan Angellar's Marriott team have put together another stellar networking opportunity for you to forge those business relationship and create the connected community we are looking for. This month, in lieu of charging admission, we will be supporting a local non-profit's mission that is truly making a difference in many lives on a daily basis. This event will support  Hopelink's "Lend a Hoping Hand" campaign by asking attendees to bring a gift to the event in order to stock their giving room. We will also feature unique Redmond small businesses to help inspire your holiday shopping. Think local.  Think Redmond. For more local holiday shopping ideas please visit ThinkRedmond.com.   Read More>>

Hats off to those who run for office

Special to the Seattle Times, by Steven J. Buri, November 3

Hats off to those who run for office.

"As someone who has run for public office — once in vain and twice successfully — I understand the experience of candidates and elected officials. I therefore wish to honor those who have just completed another grueling campaign season."

Past Mayor of Newcastle, WA.  

Lake Washington School District jumps from sixth to fourth largest district in state in one year

Rapid enrollment growth continues, increases need for classroom space

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s enrollment grew by 1,114 students last year, from 26,716 students in 2014 to 27,830 on October 1, 2015.   The enrollment increase this year moved Lake Washington from sixth largest district in the state to fourth largest. Lake Washington passed both Evergreen School District and Kent School District. It trails only Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma School Districts in size.

                This year’s increase follows five straight years of enrollment increases. The increases averaged about 625 students per year, or the size of a large elementary school. This upward trend began in the 2009-10 school year after a decade of little change in enrollment.

               Part of the increase from 2014, about 339 students, is due to a change in the accounting process for students who are enrolled in the Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC). WANIC is a skills center serving seven districts. It offers advanced level Career and Technical Education programs. As the host district, LWSD is now required to count these students in its enrollment. Excluding WANIC and the district’s Parent Partnership Program, the district’s actual enrollment was seven students less than the projection used for budgeting purposes.

                Enrollment growth is forecasted to continue. The district is projected to grow to more than 30,000 students by 2020-21.

                “As our cities grow, so does our enrollment,” noted Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent. “We are fortunate to serve vibrant, attractive communities where people want to live and work. With this growth comes the challenge to provide classroom space to so many additional students.”

                A community task force has worked since December 2014 to develop recommendations for long-term strategies the district can use to address the challenges of additional classroom capacity as well as aging schools. This task force is in the process of finalizing its recommendations. It is expected to present them to the district’s Board of Directors in November.

School District Comparison – October Headcount Enrollment 2015-16 and 2014-15

District	15-16	Rank	14-15	Rank	Gain (Loss)
Seattle	52,324	1	52,060	1	264
Spokane	30,166	2	30,179	2	(13)
Tacoma	28,305	3	28,420	3	(115)
Lake Washington	27,830	4	26,716	6	1,114
Kent	26,516	5	26,723	5	(207)
Evergreen	26,396	6	26,870	4	(474)

$74 Million dollar apartment sale near Microsoft sets a record for downtown Redmond

This eye-opening article was published in the Puget Sound Business Journal on November 2 by Marc Stiles.

 $74M apartment sale near Microsoft sets a record for downtown Redmond

A reader informs me this apartment complex is right across the street from the brick ThinkSpace office building in Downtown Redmond.  If you have any interest in Redmond's rapid downtown growth this is a must read.

Bob Yoder

Aegis at Marymoor presents events on Dementia

Aegis at Marymoor proudly presents three upcoming events in November.  All events are free.  Refreshments will be served.  RSVP’s are greatly appreciated.  Please call 425-497-0900 orMarymoor.concierge@aegisliving.com.  All events are located at Aegis at Marymoor:  4585 W Lake Sammamish Parkway NE Redmond, WA  98052.

How to Speak Alzheimer’s

Wednesday, November 4^th  6 pm

Learn how to effectively communicate and relate to your loved one with memory loss.  Communications coach, Judy Wadsworth, will teach us techniques through stories of real life experiences of working with older adults with mild to severe memory impairment.

Mixing Dementia with the Holidays

Saturday, November 7^th at 10 am

When a family member has dementia, it is important for a little extra planning in order for each person to experience the holidays in a positive light.  Kathy Stewart, RN, will share practical tips regarding how to spend meaningful time together, traveling ,communication, and more.

Dementia Prevention & Treatment – The Role of Nutrition & Exercise

Tuesday November 17^th at 6 pm

Dr. Angela Hanson, MD, of the UW Medicine Memory & Brain Wellness Center at Harborview Medical Center will discuss the latest research on healthy eating and physical activity as it relates to dementia prevention and treatment.

LETTER: Lake Washington School District Director gives the Facts on the District's facility planning process

While Susan Wilkins is entitled to her opinions concerning the Lake Washington School District’s facilities planning, I would like to provide corrections to a number of misstatements in her various letters and comments posted here.

Fact: There is no district proposal concerning Evergreen Middle School at this time, as Ms. Wilkins states. The Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force is recommending a set of projects, including one that would modernize Evergreen Middle School. These recommendations would meet the district’s needs through the 2029-30 school year, or the next 14 years. Specific funding measures and final project lists are still to be determined.

Fact: The Long Term Facilities Planning Task Force proposes an addition to Redmond High School OR a small Choice High School to serve the Redmond and Eastlake Learning Communities at a site to be determined. An addition to Redmond High is not the only proposal, as Ms. Wilkins states.
Read More >>

Brightmont Academy is offering a new rocketry club for all middle and high school students

Brightmont Academy is offering a new rocketry club for middle and high school students, including LWSD students. Students will build skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics as they learn how to design, build and fly a rocket. The Brightmont team will compete in the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the world's largest student rocket contest.

Who: Middle and High School students. (including LWSD students). Team Advisor will be David Stenberg.

What: TARC club

Where: Brightmont Academy Redmond Campus, 7345 164th Ave NE, Ste I-135 Redmond, WA 98052. Rocket testing at Marymoor Park.

When: November 2015-April 2015; Tentative meeting dates are: 11/7, 11/21, 12/5, 12/19, 1/9, 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/5, 3/19

Cost: $900 per student. A $200 non-refundable enrollment fee applies for first-time Brightmont students.

Students who are interested should contact Campus Director Sheila Harrison by November 6th at redmond@brightmontacademy.com or (425) 373-0800. Read More>>

A Trip Through "Now & Then" with Seattle Times" team of Dorpat and Sherrard -- Redmond Historical Society Speaker forum

A Trip Through ‘Now & Then’ with Seattle Times’ team of Dorpat and Sherrard

It’s a Sunday morning ritual for many in the Puget Sound: attack The Seattle Times by first hunting for Pacific NW magazine and then going directly to the back where another “Now & Then” photo essay appears courtesy of Paul Dorpat and Jean Sherrard.

Fans will get a chance to hear directly from the dynamic duo of Puget Sound’s visual history when they bring their perspectives to the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series on Nov. 14, from 10.30-noon at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center.

Dorpat’s been doing the weekly column since 1982 – with some 1,500 articles published since then – and in 2004 teamed up with Sherrard, a local photographer, actor, writer and high school teacher.

The team uses the photos for a bigger purpose. “We like to tell stories,” Dorpat says, promising that for the Saturday Speaker Series “we will no doubt include some Eastside subjects, but we will also roam the state.”  The program is titled “Now & Then: From Redmond to La Push.” Read More >>

LETTER: Funding Sources for Redmond's Downtown Park

The Downtown Park has been brought up in numerous discussions this year, during the park levy and now the mayoral election.  I think there is a misconception that Redmond taxpayers are bearing the burden of funding this park, and that downtown developers and new residents are getting a free ride.  Quite the contrary. Developer Impact Fees are projected to cover 45% of the park’s cost, while Redmond taxpayers through the general fund would be responsible for approximate 15% of the funding.  The following is a breakdown of the funding sources for the Downtown Park.

Funding Source for Downtown Park	% of Total
Developer Impact Fees	45.0%
Business Tax	19.5%
General Fund – Redmond Tax Payers	14.2%
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)	9.7%
WA State Grant	7.9%
Rental Income/Fees from previous tenants	2.9%
King County Parks Levy	0.5%
Interest Earnings on Allocated Funds	0.3%
Total	100%

By John Stilin, Redmond City Councilmember

UPDATED: Redmond resident urges Council to vote against Initiative 1366 and quotes some alarming statistics about Redmond's low voter turnout

During last night's City Council Special Meeting on Initiative I 1366 a longtime Redmond resident Andrew Villeneuve spoke up against I-1366 in "Items from the Audience".  He specifically asked Council to vote on a Resolution to oppose I -1366 concerning state taxes and fees. His argument against I-1366 is here. After robust conversation, Council voted 5-2 (Myers and Carson) to oppose I-1366.  Myers and Carson believe the public is smart enough to decide how to vote without guidance from the government.

Mr. Villeneuve's presentation included some alarming statistics about "the abysmal turnout" to date in this year's election, as follows:

• Of the 28,168 registered voters in Redmond only 2542 ballots have been returned as of last night -- that represents a 9% voter turnout in Redmond so far.  
• Another way to look at it: "91% of Redmond's registered voters have yet to vote in this election"
• Fewer than 10% of the voters in King County have returned ballots in King County.

Attention Redmond Registered Voters!  Please take a few minutes out of your day to vote and mail your ballots.  Ballots must be returned by November 3. In case you didn't know, a drive-through Ballot Drop Box is located at City Hall for you convenience. No stamps required.  

Bob Yoder  

Opposing opinions on the traffic in Redmond

COMMENTARY:  The 'rechanneliztion' project on 166th is a complete fiasco, and the incompetents responsible for it should be fired, with the salary budget thus saved earmarked for undoing the damage they have wrought. 
The total failure of traffic planners to come up with solutions to improve the flow of north-south traffic on Willows, RedWood, or Avondale has turned 116th St/172nd Ave/111th St/166th Ave into an arterial, and the clumsy efforts made by Redmond's traffic planning department have made matters much worse. Traffic now backs up all the way from 80th to 104th after work, and the brain-dead placement of islands next to bus stops merely proves that the designers were clueless. 
In terms of any conceivable metric of utilization per unit area, the bicycle lanes on 166th are unjustifiable, and should be removed immediately, along with the islands. 
Bicyclists are Redmond's most ridiculously overserved minority, and a rigorous study to free up the space wasted on empty bike lanes elsewhere is long overdue--we may have once been the 'Bicycle Capital of the Northwest', but that was before we became the undisputed tacky downtown apartment complex capital of the region.
Someone with more sense than the current traffic department needs to look at the irrational and inconsistent speed limits on our streets--111th, with zero driveways or houses facing it has a limit of 25, while 51st, with driveways, has a 35 mph limit--higher than 166th or Redmond Way.

Anonymnous
Source:  recent comment published on a blog post dated 2/14/2011



OPPOSING OPINION, 2/14/2011
http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2011/06/opinion-sidewalks-on-166th-ave-are.html

LETTER: Protecting Redmond's Streams and Groundwater Supply

PROTECTING REDMOND'S STREAMS AND GROUNDWATER SUPPLY

Over the years, I have tried to participate in Redmond's planning and development

process by commenting on projects, especially those that affect the environment.  I have

been concerned about water quality issues that affect our local streams and our

underground aquifer.  The city of Redmond has 5 wells that have a 1.8 BILLION gallon

annual water right. Two wells are located at Anderson Park. One is near Redmond City

Hall. Another is along Avondale Road and the most productive, Well No. 5, is on the

corner between Target and Home Depot.

In 2003, I participated in the writing and adoption of the Wellhead Protection

Ordinance that was meant to keep our drinking water supply clean and safe from

contamination. I attended meetings, made comments on the proposed ordinance and

testified at the public hearing. The Wellhead Protection Ordinance prohibited the storage

of hazardous material and fluids near wells.

I was shocked in 2009 when I read that Costco would be building a warehouse on

the old Redmond Delta gravel pit along 188th Avenue NE south of Union Hill Road and

that it would have a HUGE gas station.  READ MORE >>

Editor's Notice: Revised Mission Statement and Editing policy of this Blog

ATTENTION READERS AND VISITORS:

Mission Statement and Editing Policy:

UPDATED:  The "Redmond Blog" reports news and opinion of local governments, organizations and neighborhoods so that they can be more responsive and "in touch" with each other.  You are invited to send me your news, submit a Letter or write a COMMENT below a post. They are usually published. COMMENTS are moderated and publishing them may be delayed.  

Please send your Letters, opinions, stories and news by email to: redmondblog@gmail.com    Thanks for participating!

The HEADER PAGES at the top of this blog were edited today.

Bob Yoder

10/2015: Steve Fields Restates His Viewpoint About Downtown Developers

This post is dated

UPDATED 10/2015:  Steve Fields has received strong criticism and in some cases insult from a few supporters of Mr. Marchione's campaign.  This has been evident in Facebook social media, a few Letters to the Editor of the Redmond Reporter and a Letter sent to me by a Downtown developer.   

As a supporter and volunteer for Steve Fields I want to share some recent correspondence with Steve that answers criticism and misunderstandings about his views of downtown developers, as follows:  

And I quote Mr. Fields:  "I have never said and never would say anything against any group or person. What I have said is the city government listens more to developers then they do people in the community. And as a result the outcomes are not very good. My complaint is with the city government. Not any developer. We need balance. And I think that would be better for whoever develops and builds in our city as well. Their reputation would be enhanced."

Please visit https://electstevefields.com for more information about Mr. Field's vision for our city.  

Opinion by Bob Yoder, 10/2015

UPDATED: Thoughts from an engaged citizen about LWSD's facility plan and land acquisition strategy

COMMENTARY (by Susan Wilkins):  I agree that building a middle school at Redmond Ridge is a good idea since many students live nearby and they could walk to school.  The issue is that the district already has Evergreen Middle School (EMS) that those students can attend.  If the district's plan were to build the new middle school at Redmond Ridge and get rid of EMS, that would make sense, but the district's proposal is to tear down and rebuild EMS with space for 1000 students and that means that students who live in downtown Redmond and on the east side of Education Hill will be bussed out to EMS.  Evergreen is 3 miles outside the city limits on Union Hill Road. I live near Hartman Park and my entire neighborhood would likely be zoned for EMS.  The trade-off is that Redmond Ridge will get a "walkable" school and my neighborhood will be bussed to far-away EMS.  I don't think this is a reasonable solution.  Read More>>

LETTER: Why I'm Voting for the challengers in the School Board election

    I have been part of the Long Term Facilities Task Force since last December. It was run by an Associate Superintendent who acts as the Director of Facilities for the District.  I question her knowledge about facilities planning.  Our "experienced" school board has let her run the district's facilities planning for the past decade.  

    The plan that the task force was guided into proposing is nearly identical to the Feb 11, 2014 bond measure that failed.  It's just displayed in the planning table in a different order.  The task force will be presenting it to the board at the October 26 study session.  It is estimated to cost $775,000,000 - $900,000,000.

    The new plan will be horrible for Redmond.  It will add 400 more students to RHS. It will build a new middle school at Redmond Ridge - meaning that all current Evergreen students will be sent to the new Redmond Ridge Middle School. This means that 1000 middle school students from inside Redmond will be sent out to Evergreen.  So Redmond El, Horace Mann-east of Hartman Park, Einstein, parts of Rockwell and probably McAuliffe in Sammamish will be feeder schools for Evergreen. This is nuts.  

    During the Task Force meetings we were never allowed to discuss whether it was a good idea to build the new middle school at Redmond Ridge - the Assoc. Superintendent's response was, "We haven't yet decided where the new middle school will go."  She's inaccurate.  I did a public records request and it is clear that the new middle school will go at Redmond Ridge.

    The current Long Term Facilities plan is unsatisfactory because we have a school board that is asleep at the wheel.  If we vote our current board back into office, we will have nobody to blame but ourselves for the results.

By Susan Wilkins

Fall Membership Meeting for Lacrosse Players -- November 5

YouthGrades K-12

Join us at our Fall Membership Lacrosse meeting* to:

Learn about the Club and the upcoming 2016 Spring Season

Meet other players and parents

Enjoy refreshments

*Thursday November 5, 7:30-9pm

Lake Washington School District Headquarters

16250 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA 98052

Read More >>

OneRedmond Evolves to Meet the Needs of Business

By Dr. Eric Scroggins, Board President, OneRedmond  

Coming out of the great recession it was clear that Redmond’s business organizations were not meeting the needs of its members or supporting the health of the local and regional economy. Like all businesses at the time, the Chamber of Commerce, Realize Redmond and the Redmond Economic Development Alliance were all struggling to find a direction and financial footing.    

In response to the very real challenges they faced, the three organizations with the partnership of the City of Redmond merged, incorporated and funded a new public/private partnership to lead business growth in the region.  OneRedmond was charged to do four simple things: 1) support our existing businesses, large and small, and their growth; 2) recruit new businesses to the community to diversify the economic base; 3) promote arts and events to enhance the vibrancy of our downtowns, and 4) work with the City to ensure that we are the most competitive area for business investment.  Read More >>