School-closure fight: District message about tonight’s hearing

| Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools

From Bridgett Chandler, communications boss at Seattle Public Schools, about tonight’s big school-closure hearing at Genesee Hill Elementary/Pathfinder:

Dear community members,

We want to thank those of you who have signed up to testify at tonight’s
public hearing and those who wish to attend. The weather has created
concerns about safety, and we send this information to update you about
conditions around the Genesee Hill building where the hearing will be
held from 6:30-8:30 tonight.

Road conditions this morning lead us to recommend that those who choose
to attend the hearing carpool and look for parking along the north
shoulder (school side) of Genesee. That road was recently sanded.
While there is some remaining ice on the shoulder area, it is much
clearer than the south side of Genesee.

The sidewalks and steps into the school building were sanded this
morning by SDOT, and staff requested that Dakota and 51st be sanded as
well by SDOT since there was ice on both of these side streets. The
school playground is CLOSED for your safety because of ice, so please
look for parking along Genesee. Metro bus information is available at
http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U

We ask that people enter the building from the corner of 51st and
Genesee and follow the signs to the cafeteria where the hearing will be
conducted starting at 6:30.

We want our families and staff to be safe, and we also want to hear your
input. If you make the decision not to attend tonight, we want you to
know that we are reading the emails that come in to
capacity@seattleschools.org as we will also read the transcripts of each
public hearing held this week. Transcripts will also be posted to our
capacity management web site which you can visit from our home page at
http://www.seattleschools.org

Thank you for your participation in this engagement process as we
prepare final recommendations for further public review.

julie December 16, 2008 (4:30 pm)

48th Ave SW between Genesee and Dakota is very icy and yesterday one of the school buses hit parked cars. I think SDOT did sand this street but for those of you attending the school meeting you might want to avoid the hill on 48th between Dakota and Genesee and the hill on Dakota between 48th and 47th. The roads and sidewalks are very icy in this area.

GenHillOne December 16, 2008 (5:17 pm)

Crosspost from forum:
We can see Dakota from California to about 50th and (as of 5:00) no sand, so if SDOT accommodated, then they didn’t do the rest of the street :(

WSB December 16, 2008 (5:25 pm)

I am still trying to figure out what’s the best way to approach from the south, then … since I have to leave for this within a half-hour or so. I’d usually go Calif to Alaska, then take the angle left turn at Alaska to Genesee, and up Genesee … is that going to be OK? since the connector section is right next to the Alaska Hill of TV News Doom … TR

GenHillOne December 16, 2008 (5:33 pm)

I haven’t been over to Genesee…anyone else? They do say above that it has been sanded and if so, you could just stay on that side of the school as they’re recommending. I would think that Glenn Way has had a lot of traffic on it between Alaska and Genessee since the Alaska hill is closed.

Sheila December 16, 2008 (5:33 pm)

TR–I walked that way this afternoon and I think it should be okay. Probably is the best way right now. But there will still be a few patches of ice here and there so do be careful.