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
For every 5 fourth graders in the Lake Washington School District, 1 student is failing math. For every 10 seventh graders, 3 are failing math. As a parent and volunteer in the district, I can tell you that when students fail the 4th grade math MSP, they are very far behind. When 7th graders fail the math MSP, they are far more likely to drop out. In 2011, when my child was a 5th grader at Horace Mann Elementary, there were a number of students who had failed the 4th grade MSP math test given the previous school year. Horace Mann had no formal plan for addressing failing students, so we inquired if supplemental funds were available from the district to target students with failing MSP scores. We were told that there was no money available "due to budget cuts." Eventually, an ad-hoc group of parents ended up tutoring the failing students to try to get them up to speed. This is no way to provide educational assistance to students who need help the most. Read More >>