Comments on: School-levy briefing @ Arbor Heights, with more on possibly accelerating AH rebuild to 2016 http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2 West Seattle news, information, and discussion, updated multiple times daily, 24/7/365 Fri, 24 May 2013 00:35:20 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: diane http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-962456 diane Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:45:34 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-962456 If you are frustrated with the school district and it's decisions and they won't listen at the school board meetings can't people write to their city and county councils or write editorial pieces in the press rather than voting against every child and school opportunity? It seems an awful waste of time and resources to vote no and start over. If you are frustrated with the school district and it’s decisions and they won’t listen at the school board meetings can’t people write to their city and county councils or write editorial pieces in the press rather than voting against every child and school opportunity? It seems an awful waste of time and resources to vote no and start over.

]]> By: Public School Advocate http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960349 Public School Advocate Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:37:33 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960349 YES on both levies! While I don't like every single project/timeline for the BEX (Prop 2) it puts the entire Seattle community in a much better position. The Ops (Prop 1) is imperative -- it's ~28% of the yearly operations budget. . Let's focus as a community on what we are for, not what we are against. Let's find common ground; key things that we can ALL agree are important and necessary in our community and schools. Let's come together to create a collection vision and focus on what is good for the whole. What would you include? YES on both levies! While I don’t like every single project/timeline for the BEX (Prop 2) it puts the entire Seattle community in a much better position. The Ops (Prop 1) is imperative — it’s ~28% of the yearly operations budget.
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Let’s focus as a community on what we are for, not what we are against. Let’s find common ground; key things that we can ALL agree are important and necessary in our community and schools. Let’s come together to create a collection vision and focus on what is good for the whole. What would you include?

]]> By: Struggling http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960227 Struggling Sat, 26 Jan 2013 03:30:09 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960227 I remember the last time the levy came around.... The same things were said, "if you vote NO, then the buildings will not get what they need, they will continue to go downhill, etc, etc....." well, guess what?.... Our building STILL has not gotten what it needed.... It received no money from the previous construction (BEX) levy, and this new BEX levy also leaves our school behind..... I also struggle, because the district prooved to me that money isnt really a concern for them when they removed a repeatedly failing principal, and instead of firing her, they placed her in a south end school with a co-principal.... 2 principal salaries for one small school.... How does THAT show financial responsibility? So it really is difficult to hear, yet again, that they want us to renew the finances they continually mismanage...... Other than voting "NO", how do tax payers bring about change?..... The school board doesnt listen (or they censor comments...) public meetings are poorly run, and do not carry the weight they should, the leadership changes throughout the organization (at a head spinning pace) so NOTHING takes hold, and the district is doing nothing to bridge or strengthen relationships with the public or staff.... I really am struggling with this..... The pro levy folks keep saying how not passing the BEX levy will only hurt the kids..... I feel like that is kind of like holding our kids hostage, or blackmail or something...... Sure it will hurt the kids!.... But mismanaging the funds, poor decsions, and lack of consistency has also hurt the kids..... How do we get Seattle Schools to change?!... Perhaps voting "NO" is the only way to get them to understand that they really have not done a good job..... If this thing does not pass, it is the fault of Seattle Public Schools. I remember the last time the levy came around…. The same things were said, “if you vote NO, then the buildings will not get what they need, they will continue to go downhill, etc, etc…..” well, guess what?…. Our building STILL has not gotten what it needed…. It received no money from the previous construction (BEX) levy, and this new BEX levy also leaves our school behind….. I also struggle, because the district prooved to me that money isnt really a concern for them when they removed a repeatedly failing principal, and instead of firing her, they placed her in a south end school with a co-principal…. 2 principal salaries for one small school…. How does THAT show financial responsibility? So it really is difficult to hear, yet again, that they want us to renew the finances they continually mismanage…… Other than voting “NO”, how do tax payers bring about change?….. The school board doesnt listen (or they censor comments…) public meetings are poorly run, and do not carry the weight they should, the leadership changes throughout the organization (at a head spinning pace) so NOTHING takes hold, and the district is doing nothing to bridge or strengthen relationships with the public or staff….
I really am struggling with this….. The pro levy folks keep saying how not passing the BEX levy will only hurt the kids….. I feel like that is kind of like holding our kids hostage, or blackmail or something…… Sure it will hurt the kids!…. But mismanaging the funds, poor decsions, and lack of consistency has also hurt the kids….. How do we get Seattle Schools to change?!… Perhaps voting “NO” is the only way to get them to understand that they really have not done a good job….. If this thing does not pass, it is the fault of Seattle Public Schools.

]]> By: Ann http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960128 Ann Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:12:20 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960128 I have been a parent at a school for the past seven years and experienced the school being on a closing list twice and the building is decaying badly, thanks in no part to lack of proper maintenance by the district. Our school has also been at the end of the line on past levies and funds ran out before the school could benefit. I understand why someone would want to vote No to send a message, as I too am upset with the funds mismanagement by the district and the inequities among the WS schools,etc... but I have voted YES. It is true that every school, student and school staff will be affected adversely if the LEVY does not pass. I am putting my faith that the district will be more transparent on the levy process and prioritize the projects appropriatley. The district officials and board members have gotten the message that they are going to be held accountable are being watched very closely by the SPS families. Our city does pay significantly lower education taxes compared to the other districts in our state. Re: Roxhill. I agree that they should be on the list, but I do know that maintenance and upgrade work has been done to alleviated some of the facility issues. However, as the RH community has voiced, they do need a change of location off of Roxbury. Please correct me if I have wrong information here. I have been a parent at a school for the past seven years and experienced the school being on a closing list twice and the building is decaying badly, thanks in no part to lack of proper maintenance by the district. Our school has also been at the end of the line on past levies and funds ran out before the school could benefit.

I understand why someone would want to vote No to send a message, as I too am upset with the funds mismanagement by the district and the inequities among the WS schools,etc… but I have voted YES. It is true that every school, student and school staff will be affected adversely if the LEVY does not pass.

I am putting my faith that the district will be more transparent on the levy process and prioritize the projects appropriatley. The district officials and board members have gotten the message that they are going to be held accountable are being watched very closely by the SPS families.

Our city does pay significantly lower education taxes compared to the other districts in our state.

Re: Roxhill. I agree that they should be on the list, but I do know that maintenance and upgrade work has been done to alleviated some of the facility issues. However, as the RH community has voiced, they do need a change of location off of Roxbury. Please correct me if I have wrong information here.

]]> By: vote yes on BEX http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960056 vote yes on BEX Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:06:03 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960056 I have been incredibly involved in the capacity discussion since the NSAP was voted on and know unfailingly that every school will be impacted by the BEX levy, specifically having room inside a safe building, space for services like Special Ed and ELL to be accessible in each neighborhood, to earthquake retrofits. To those that say we don't need more room, do you ever wonder how you would secure a portable to keep those children and their teacher safe? We can not afford to let this levy go down. 'Trying' says they should resubmit the levy with a rework, how expensive in time and money do you think that would be? There is a clear plan laid out in the report WSB links to, this is the current working document. It alleviates overcrowding in West Seattle and provides a new school for Arbor Heights. If you delay this by voting no on BEX, you will see a lot of children, and their teachers, in deplorable buildings and portables for more years than I can imagine. For a community like West Seattle to reject an opportunity to pay only a few more dollars a year and get great school buildings is unacceptable. I will vote YES, and if you are a parent that supports and understands this position be proactive on Facebook, etc, and let your Seattle friends know that. I have been incredibly involved in the capacity discussion since the NSAP was voted on and know unfailingly that every school will be impacted by the BEX levy, specifically having room inside a safe building, space for services like Special Ed and ELL to be accessible in each neighborhood, to earthquake retrofits. To those that say we don’t need more room, do you ever wonder how you would secure a portable to keep those children and their teacher safe?

We can not afford to let this levy go down. ‘Trying’ says they should resubmit the levy with a rework, how expensive in time and money do you think that would be?

There is a clear plan laid out in the report WSB links to, this is the current working document. It alleviates overcrowding in West Seattle and provides a new school for Arbor Heights. If you delay this by voting no on BEX, you will see a lot of children, and their teachers, in deplorable buildings and portables for more years than I can imagine. For a community like West Seattle to reject an opportunity to pay only a few more dollars a year and get great school buildings is unacceptable.

I will vote YES, and if you are a parent that supports and understands this position be proactive on Facebook, etc, and let your Seattle friends know that.

]]> By: Amanda http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960048 Amanda Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:54:24 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960048 Thanks Tracy. That is clear :) Thanks Tracy. That is clear :)

]]> By: WSB http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960018 WSB Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:15:49 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960018 Amanda - There are "clear plans." We have been reporting on them all along the way (through the various iterations). Moving up AH is something they hope to be able to do and have already turned the rudder that way, but the way the money comes in from the levy, they said they could not commit to it sooner. Here is what I believe to have been the final version of the SPS presentation showing, if you go through the pages, ALL the projects that are in the levy, from replacement schools to seismic upgrades and more: . http://bex.seattleschools.org/assets/docs/bexiv/20121017_Presentation_BEXIV.pdf Amanda – There are “clear plans.” We have been reporting on them all along the way (through the various iterations). Moving up AH is something they hope to be able to do and have already turned the rudder that way, but the way the money comes in from the levy, they said they could not commit to it sooner. Here is what I believe to have been the final version of the SPS presentation showing, if you go through the pages, ALL the projects that are in the levy, from replacement schools to seismic upgrades and more:
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http://bex.seattleschools.org/assets/docs/bexiv/20121017_Presentation_BEXIV.pdf

]]> By: Amanda http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-960008 Amanda Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:08:47 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-960008 I am appalled that there are no clear plans for the BEX money! I don't buy the "we will have to wait and see if it passes before we can determine what to do with the money". I want a clear layout from the SPS before I vote yes. It's all well and good that AH "might" get moved up, but that's a bait and switch tactic. Look, I am planning on sending my child to Roxhill - but I will be damned if he has to go to a school that is freezing cold, suffering from vermin and full to capacity. Maybe I should send him to the new stadium for his education? I am appalled that there are no clear plans for the BEX money! I don’t buy the “we will have to wait and see if it passes before we can determine what to do with the money”. I want a clear layout from the SPS before I vote yes. It’s all well and good that AH “might” get moved up, but that’s a bait and switch tactic. Look, I am planning on sending my child to Roxhill – but I will be damned if he has to go to a school that is freezing cold, suffering from vermin and full to capacity. Maybe I should send him to the new stadium for his education?

]]> By: N.A. Neighbor http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959972 N.A. Neighbor Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:14:05 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959972 The mere fact that SPS is working to get the AH rebuild pushed up might, just maybe, possibly, be a glimmer of hope that they ARE listening? Of course, it took the community at volume 10 to get the point across, but I, personally, will choose to see hope here. The mere fact that SPS is working to get the AH rebuild pushed up might, just maybe, possibly, be a glimmer of hope that they ARE listening? Of course, it took the community at volume 10 to get the point across, but I, personally, will choose to see hope here.

]]> By: FYI http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959967 FYI Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:59:05 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959967 No- brainer. Autocorrect :( No- brainer. Autocorrect :(

]]> By: FYI http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959966 FYI Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:57:41 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959966 The levies are renewals of previously passed levies. Seattle home owners pay far less toward education than other Puget Sound districts. Such a no-brained. Voting no might sock it to the district but it's definitely also socking it to these innocent kids who deserve better from their district and their community. Voting no because you think it won't help YOUR kid.....wow. The levies are renewals of previously passed levies.
Seattle home owners pay far less toward education than other Puget Sound districts.

Such a no-brained. Voting no might sock it to the district but it’s definitely also socking it to these innocent kids who deserve better from their district and their community.

Voting no because you think it won’t help YOUR kid…..wow.

]]> By: No vote from me also http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959879 No vote from me also Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:00:27 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959879 I put my ballots with NO VOTE in the mail today. I don't trust SPS with any more money. I put my ballots with NO VOTE in the mail today.
I don’t trust SPS with any more money.

]]> By: Don't get it http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959853 Don't get it Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:15:49 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959853 Yes "Trying" I do go to meetings - lots of them. Why don't you get involved in one of the committees where you can make a difference. Make change. Yes “Trying” I do go to meetings – lots of them. Why don’t you get involved in one of the committees where you can make a difference. Make change.

]]> By: Trying! http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959851 Trying! Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:57:49 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959851 'Don't get it', do you go to the meetings? I go to every meeting and ask my questions. ‘Don’t get it’, do you go to the meetings? I go to every meeting and ask my questions.

]]> By: Ann http://westseattleblog.com/2013/01/school-levy-briefing-arbor-heights-with-more-on-possibly-accelerating-ah-rebuild-to-2016-2#comment-959850 Ann Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:53:56 +0000 http://westseattleblog.com/?p=138407#comment-959850 WStroll - What school do your children attend? My child will be entering kindergarten next year. We have recently moved to the Gatewood area so most likely that will be our school. WStroll – What school do your children attend? My child will be entering kindergarten next year. We have recently moved to the Gatewood area so most likely that will be our school.

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