Arbor Heights rebuild moved up 1 year on eve of School Board meeting, rally

Tomorrow night, the final draft – not necessarily the final wording – of Seattle Public Schools‘ BEX IV levy is scheduled for formal introduction to the School Board. We’ve just checked the agenda, and it includes an “edited” list that has the Arbor Heights Elementary rebuild now scheduled for completion in 2018, one year earlier than the last draft. Fairmount Park Elementary is still scheduled for reopening in 2014, and a rebuilt Schmitz Park Elementary on the current (closed) Genesee Hill campus is still scheduled to open in 2015.

Meantime, we’re told this afternoon by Arbor Heights parents and other supporters – who say their dilapidated school needs to be rebuilt ASAP and should be the first project on the BEX list – that they plan a rally before the board meeting tomorrow, around 3:45 pm at district HQ in SODO. The school board meeting itself starts at 4:15 pm; the public-comment period starts at 5; the scheduled introduction (and potential discussion) of BEX IV is after that. They’re hopeful for as much community support as they can get, so if you would like to stand with them for a “soon as possible” rebuild, be there tomorrow.

12 Replies to "Arbor Heights rebuild moved up 1 year on eve of School Board meeting, rally"

  • WSMama3 October 16, 2012 (5:19 pm)

    STEM families will be there in blue – and cheering loudly in support of our AH friends!

  • Bonnie October 16, 2012 (5:39 pm)

    I can’t make it but good luck to AH and STEM families!

  • Jen Boyer October 16, 2012 (5:43 pm)

    Thanks WSMama3!! So many families in our community know so well how amazing the AH teachers are, what amazing things Principal Christy Collins has done in just the first year she’s been with us, and how engaged our AH community is. Our children are bringing in their own bottled water because the school’s water is unacceptable (come see all of our “don’t drink the water” signs) and layers of clothing because the HVAC doesn’t work well at all. All of our children, in every school, deserve a safe and healthy school. By leaving AH to become further dilapidated, parents choose other schools, contributing to the overcrowding. Please help us by showing your support – in person and letters to the school board. Thank you so much!! –Jen, parent to an incoming kindergartener to AH in 2013

  • Evergreen October 16, 2012 (9:37 pm)

    Shame on you, Seattle Public Schools!

  • SPS Parent October 17, 2012 (6:22 am)

    I hear that quite a few schools across the district also have undrinkable water in the water fountains. Bathrooms up in Snohomish County have been closed for years — Seattle is an old city. Lots of old buildings.
    _______

    Lets push for an income tax – help alleviate some of the money issues!

  • Lisa October 17, 2012 (11:51 am)

    http://lawyersusaonline.com/wp-files/pdfs-3/frisino-v-seattle-school-district-no-i.pdf

    Student Basics

    Research shows that healthy students are more successful both academically and socially. Learn more about the health services and resources we provide to help all students thrive through attention to immunizations, vision, hearing, chronic health conditions, social emotional status, and assuring a supportive and safe environment for all students.

    Aparently not so for Arbor Heights, with mold, rat feces and unsafe drinking water.

  • AHparent October 17, 2012 (12:42 pm)

    If old buildings with rat feces, unsafe drinking water and mold are “just part of an old building”, then why does any school district ever replace schools?

    It remains clear that the obvious health and adequate learning environment issues that the building that houses Arbor Heights school is somehow being ignored. Is there something else going on that SPS is hiding?

    The fact remains that BEX is supposed to address building issues (Building Excellence anyone?) and SPS is CHOOSING to put AH on the backburner while it is the WORST RATED school in the entire district. This building condition is contributing to many area families selecting out-of-area schools which directly relates to the capacity issues elsewhere in West Seattle. What gives SPS? We aren’t stupid. We know this smells BAD!

  • AHparent October 17, 2012 (12:43 pm)

    Worst rated BUILDING…. misspoke there. Our ‘school’ rocks! Aside from the building, we have a GREAT recipe for success!

  • AHparent October 17, 2012 (2:09 pm)

    Why did my first comment get deleted?

    • WSB October 17, 2012 (2:27 pm)

      Haven’t deleted anything in this thread. You might be in the spam filter. I will look. Trying to crash out the story of the Arbor Heights school board president tour this morning before I actually have to leave to go cover the meeting!

  • Jessica Pierce October 17, 2012 (2:55 pm)

    Thanks for everything Tracy!!

  • AHparent October 17, 2012 (7:46 pm)

    Yes, thank you Tracy!

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