month : 09/2013 320 results

Two stolen-vehicle reports to share – first, from Jacob:

I had my green 1995 Acura Integra stolen from in front of my house on 41st and Kenyon in Gatewood overnight. It is a four door vehicle with a baby seat in the back.

Second, Kristine is hoping you might be able to help her find her stolen truck:

It was stolen from the 2000 block of Alki. It is a forest-green Chevrolet Z71. The year is 1998. The front license plate has a Seahawks cover on it.

If you see either vehicle, or have any related information, call 911.

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Election 2013: West Seattle’s first mayoral forum announced

September 3, 2013 1:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With nine weeks until the November 5th election, and summer in the rear-view mirror, the campaign for Seattle mayor is about to resume in earnest, and what we believe to be West Seattle’s first post-primary mayoral forum has just been confirmed for two weeks from today: Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Karen Sisson says incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn and challenger State Sen. Ed Murray will be there at 1 pm on Tuesday, September 17th. Lucy Gaskill Gaddis will moderate, in a format including opening/closing statements, moderator questions, and audience questions. (The Senior Center is at California/Oregon in The Junction.)

Any other groups have forums/debates scheduled? Don’t wait until the last minute to let us know – we’d love to get your event in the WSB calendar now; editor@westseattleblog.com. Thanks!

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3rd big Sunday event: Pancake breakfast to benefit West Seattle Junior Football/Cheer

September 3, 2013 12:50 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

We’ve already previewed two big West Seattle events for next Sunday, in the afternoon (Harbor Seal Day) and evening (“The Earth Cried Out“). Get ready for a big Sunday with another big event: The West Seattle Junior Football and Cheer fundraising pancake breakfast! Parent volunteer Annie Higgins explains, “It’s such an important event for this group because the funds raised there go to help so many kids who might not otherwise have a chance to participate. … All money will go toward player scholarships, safer gear, and other franchise expenses. Join us for some fun, exciting raffle items, and a delicious breakfast.” 9-noon Sunday (September 8th) at the Masonic Center (4736 40th SW), $6/person, $25/family.

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West Seattle musicians in ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ re-creation

September 3, 2013 12:06 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That upcoming event is not in West Seattle but has a “huge West Seattle tie-in,” points out Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert (besides the fact that he designed the poster):

A bunch of Northwest musicians have come together to re-create George Harrison’s landmark 1972 charity concert for Bangladesh on Friday, September 13, at the Hard Rock [9 pm]. And of the 20 performers, half are West Seattle residents. Tickets are $10 advance/$12 day of show, 21+, with all proceeds benefiting Roots Young Adult Shelter and the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF™. This is gonna be epic!

The Hard Rock Café-Seattle is downtown, at 116 Pike; advance tickets are available online here.

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Keep K-5 STEM at Boren, urges North Delridge Neighborhood Council

September 3, 2013 9:48 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With fall and the new school year arriving, Seattle Public Schools‘ board is scheduled to make major decisions soon about “growth boundaries,” including the future of some West Seattle schools. As reported here a month ago, West Seattle’s STEM elementary – about to start its second year – is hoping to either stay at the Boren building on Delridge Way and grow to a K-8, or move into Fairmount Park Elementary, which is being expanded prior to reopening next year. Back in May, though, the district proposed moving K-5 STEM onto the current Schmitz Park Elementary site after it’s vacated upon completion of the new school at Genesee Hill in 2016. STEM has been marshaling community support, and is getting it in a letter being sent today by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, backing the suggestion to stay at Boren. Co-chairs Parie Hines and Kirsten Smith write, in part:

Delridge as a neighborhood has felt the negative effects of having the Boren school used as a transitional and temporary school for many long years. It has been a pleasure to see the students, parents, and staff of the STEM school begin to “take ownership” of the building

Read the entire letter here:

NDNC letter supporting keeping K-5 STEM at Boren

(If you can’t see the document, try it here on our server as a PDF.) The school board’s decision is due later this fall; before then, the district plans a series of community meetings detailed here, one of which is in West Seattle – 6:30 pm September 25th at West Seattle High School. Comments are being accepted before (and after) that meeting via e-mail: GrowthBoundaries@seattleschools.org.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Back-to-school events and more from the calendar

September 3, 2013 9:13 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Dan for sharing a back-to-school photo! This trio, he says, is headed to Holy Rosary – from left, Elena, 11; Cameron, 13; Elliot, 8. Lots of school notes in today’s highlights list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and we’ll start with those:

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: In our daily traffic watch, we mapped the five major schools that start today – if you missed it, they are:

*Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee)
*Seattle Lutheran High School (40th/Genesee)
*Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon)
*Our Lady of Guadalupe (34th/Myrtle)
*Holy Family (20th/Roxbury)

Note that for some, the first day of school is a half-day.

CHIEF SEALTH ‘WELCOME BACK, SEAHAWKS’ DAY: At Chief Sealth International High School, students are invited to campus today (on a staggered schedule spelled out here) to get schedules, locker assignments, etc.

ARBOR HEIGHTS MEET-AND-GREET: Arbor Heights Elementary is inviting families to the campus 2-3 pm today so students can meet their teacher and see their classroom, and to get a jump on start-of-school paperwork. (37th/104th)

TEACHERS VOTE: Members of the Seattle Education Association gather at Benaroya Hall downtown at 4:30 pm to vote on a proposed contract. Their leadership recommends approving it, but the union also confirmed last night that the leadership vote was a close one. No specific time is set for announcing the results, but we’ll publish an update here when there’s word.

LAFAYETTE NIGHT-BEFORE-SCHOOL BARBECUE: As previewed here last night, at 5 pm on the playground, community members are invited to join the Lafayette Elementary school community for a hot-dog barbecue and live music with the West Seattle Big Band. (Lander west of California)

MADISON SIXTH-GRADE ORIENTATION: Sixth-graders and families are invited to Madison Middle School 6:30-8 pm tonight for orientation. (45th/Spokane)

In non-school happenings:

TRANSPORTATION TALK: 9:30 am, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Governor Jay Inslee plan a media briefing downtown, regarding transportation issues. Not a public event, but this is likely to relate to Metro Transit and potentially looming budget cuts, so we’ll be monitoring it and reporting on what they have to say; you can watch live here.

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS MEETS: 6:30 pm, this month at West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Meeting details here. (4508 California SW)

TOASTMASTERS’ HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST: You’re welcome to join West Seattle Toastmasters 832 for their humorous speech and table talk contest, 6:30 tonight at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle – details in our calendar listing. (4611 35th SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: 1st of 2 back-to-school days

September 3, 2013 6:03 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
It’s not just back-from-holiday-weekend day, it’s also the first of the two biggest back-to-school days – today, the parochial schools reopen; tomorrow, other independent schools, as well as the public schools. That means it’s time to be extra-safe and mindful of school zones again, starting today – here’s a map of the major schools that are back in session:

View West Seattle parochial schools in a larger map

Also important to note: Today is the scheduled start of partial closures on SW Orchard between Delridge and Sylvan, as part of the Delridge Way Repaving Project – for two weeks, it’ll be closed eastbound; see the detour map and details here.

4:03 PM UPDATE: Crash reported on southbound 99 right by the bridge exit. Here’s some of the backup (not that southbound 99 isn’t megabusy this time of the afternoon anyway):

We’ll keep an eye on this.

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Restaurant news: Zippy’s Giant Burgers expanding its space

September 2, 2013 9:25 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

No Labor Day break for Zippy’s Giant Burgers proprietors Blaine and Rahel Cook – while their beloved burger emporium is closed until Wednesday, they’re cooking up something big: More seating. Zippy’s has knocked down the wall and is expanding into the space next door. Blaine explains that this will finally bring back the full footprint of the old Cookbook Café. There’s even potential space for a bar in the expansion zone, but for now, when Zippy’s reopens on Wednesday, it’ll just mean more room to dine in – good news for fans including those who live too far to keep take-out food warm. It’ll be Zippy’s second expansion – their move from 16th/Holden in Highland Park to 9614 14th SW in White Center two years ago meant a whole lot more room.

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2 school events to which the community’s invited: Lafayette BBQ; Schmitz Park outdoor movie

September 2, 2013 7:41 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle’s two most populous elementary schools have evening events this week to which the community’s invited – both out on the playground!

LAFAYETTE BARBECUE: The Tuesday night party at Lafayette Elementary‘s playground just got bigger, according to PTA president Sean Reynolds:

The Lafayette Night Before School BBQ is an event open to the community – we welcome all those who attend, surround and support Lafayette Elementary.

We will be joined this year by the West Seattle Big Band – – starting at 5 pm on the playground.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks provided – as well as some dessert treats, too.

The playground’s on the west side of the school, which is at California/Lander.

SCHMITZ PARK OUTDOOR MOVIE: Friday night, Schmitz Park Elementary‘s PTA invites you to come see “Epic” on a big screen set up on the SP playground. Gate opens 6:15 pm, movie at dusk (around 7:30 pm), $3/person (kids 3 and under are free), pizza and snacks/drinks will be sold ($2 or less). “It is open to the community and supports the 4th-grade outdoor-education experience at Islandwood,” says Christine Morrell, PTA fundraising chair. The playground’s on the northeast side of the school, which is at 50th/Spokane.

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West Seattle Labor Day scene: Flag ceremony @ Masonic Center

September 2, 2013 6:55 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

For the second year, Labor Day was celebrated today with a flag ceremony and potluck picnic at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction. Leaders of American Legion Post 160, also in The Junction, assisted:

At left, that’s Post 160 Commander Dr. Don-Michael Bradford, with the post’s former commander Kyle Geraghty. Representatives of other local organizations including the West Seattle Eagles (whose HQ is in The Junction too) were in attendance. And before the Pledge of Allegiance was said, Carolyn Monk read an essay about the Pledge:

During the first event last year, the Masonic Center’s new flagpole was dedicated. Organizers hope to continue growing this as a community event, particularly with service groups’ participation, so make a note for Labor Day next year.

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Save the date! September 22nd ‘Recycle Roundup’ at Fauntleroy UCC

September 2, 2013 5:11 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

If you spent today doing some pre-fall cleaning – we did! – you might be happy to hear that Fauntleroy Church has set the date for the next edition of its popular twice-yearly Recycle Roundup: Sunday, September 22nd, 9 am-3 pm. That’s when nonprofit 1 Green Planet will bring big empty trucks to the church at 9140 California SW and drive them away full of West Seattleites’ recyclables. Keep an eye on the church website for details on what they’ll accept (no charge – just drop it all off!).

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1,000 bags of ‘rage, sadness, and fear’ – and hope: Days before ‘The Earth Cried Out,’ meet the man behind 9/11’s Alki luminarias

September 2, 2013 12:50 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(September 2001 photo by David Hutchinson)
By Clay Eals
Special to West Seattle Blog

A dozen years later, Dean Keppler reels at the memory. His eyes well up. His voice chokes as he talks haltingly, reverently, and, in the end, almost dazedly in trying to describe the indescribable.

“It all just happened,” he says, over and over, through tears.

Keppler is standing in the second-floor workroom of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum. He combs through hundreds of an estimated 1,000 brown-paper bags on which people from all over West Seattle and beyond inscribed messages of sadness, anger, fear and hope.

The trigger for these emotional expressions, of course, was the terrorist attack on Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2001, that came to be known as 9/11. The inscribers were countless men, women, and children who for five days following the tragedy gathered beneath the Statue of Liberty replica on Alki Beach.

And the catalyst for the heartfelt messages was Keppler.

(Southwest Seattle Historical Society video)
Keppler will be among four who will speak briefly at a 9/11 memorial event, “The Earth Cried Out,” at 6:30 pm next Sunday (September 8th), at Alki Arts, 2820 Alki Ave. SW, two blocks west of the Statue of Liberty replica.

Organized by SWSHS, the free event also will feature reflections by King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert.

The focus of the event, however, will not be the speeches.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Arbor Heights search, arrest

September 2, 2013 11:12 am

| 30 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

11:12 AM: In case you’re wondering about the police presence in Arbor Heights – officers responded to what apparently was a call about prowlers, and have been trying to track down multiple suspects. Per the scanner, it sounds as if at least one possible suspect is in custody. We don’t know if there was an actual break-in, but have a crew in the area trying to find out more.

11:26 AM UPDATE: Police tell us neighbors called in the report of suspected prowlers spotted in an alley and yards (added: in the 35th/105th area). At least one person is being taken in for questioning. Scanner traffic also indicates police are looking for a car that is believed to be related to the case, described as a silver Impala with chrome wheels.

2:34 PM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis confirms that the suspect was booked into jail – and lauds the “great work by neighbors.”

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West Seattle Labor Day 2013: Holiday notes

September 2, 2013 9:40 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Jamie‘s aerial view – quadcopter cam! – of last night’s sunset; click image for larger view)
Happy Labor Day! Saw a sunbreak a little while ago, but the forecast suggests clouds will rule most of the day. Holiday notes:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: The ramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to be closed until 3 pm for the expansion-joint work that’s been under way all weekend. And starting tomorrow, partial closures of SW Orchard between Sylvan and Delridge – beginning with the eastbound side – start, as part of the Delridge Way Repaving Project.

TRANSIT SCHEDULES: Metro Transit is on a Sunday schedule, as are the West Seattle Water Taxi (along with its shuttle buses; however, the Vashon WT is NOT running today), and Sound Transit express buses. Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a weekend schedule today, to provide more evening sailings.

STREET PARKING DOWNTOWN, ETC.: Pay stations/meters are on holiday – it’s a city parking holiday.

WHAT’S CLOSED: Most government offices/facilities closed, including the Seattle Public Library system), banks closed, no mail delivery.

OUTDOOR AQUATICS TODAY: Last day of the season for the Highland Park Spraypark and Lincoln Park wading pool (schedule here), and, also at LP, last day of daily operations for Colman Pool (which then opens for one postseason weekend next Saturday/Sunday). It’s open noon-7 today; schedule’s here.

POTLUCK AND FLAG CEREMONY: You’re invited to a 1 pm potluck and 2 pm flag ceremony at the Masonic Center, 40th/Edmunds on the east edge of The Junction. Details in our preview from last night.

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2nd annual Labor Day flag ceremony/picnic: You’re invited

September 2, 2013 2:43 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2012 flag ceremony)
Looking for something patriotic to do on this federal holiday? Today, Alki Masonic Center invites you to its second annual Labor Day Picnic and Flag Ceremony. Socializing and potluck picnicking start at 1 pm; the flag dedication is scheduled for 2 pm. Everyone’s welcome; you’re asked to bring a potluck dish to share, but soft drinks will be provided. The center is at 4736 40th Ave SW.

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1 week until Harbor Seal Day: Pups are popping up all over

September 1, 2013 9:55 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

More reminders that it’s seal-pup season on West Seattle shores: First, Pete shared the top photo of Friday night’s sunset featuring a seal pup on Alki … then today, Dawn shared this photo of a pup seen at Lincoln Park:

And Seal Sitters volunteers have been busy for many days watching over visiting pups. One week from today, though, it’ll be a day to pause and celebrate – “Harbor Seal Day” at the Alki Bathhouse, 1-4 pm next Sunday (September 8th), a chance to learn about seals and other marine mammals, with fun kids’ activities too. A highlight of the afternoon will be the dedication of Georgia Gerber‘s sculpture “Sentinels of the Sound,” photographed by David Hutchinson a few days after its recent installation just east of the bathhouse:

Lots more information about next Sunday’s event can be found here.

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Video: Daughters of the Dead Sea sail into the sunset

September 1, 2013 8:04 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A night to remember – and photograph – as West Seattle band Daughters of the Dead Sea played their last show together, last night at Easy Street Records. That’s drummer Mia with the cameraphone; the night was a benefit for singer/guitarist Jen, who is moving back east to be with family as she battles cystic fibrosis, with which she was diagnosed in infancy. Last night’s crowd spilled out of Easy Street, with friends, fans, and family there to rock out and cheer them on:

Here’s a short song on video, featuring Jen:

Along with her music, Jen also has a legion of fans from the job she’s about to leave at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor); we’re told she plans to work as a teacher in her new hometown.

P.S. Hobosexual and Whiskey Radio were also on last night’s bill. Watch Easy Street’s calendar for more shows coming up!

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West Seattle scene: One-person, one-dog cleanup crew

September 1, 2013 3:06 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news

The photo was shared by Brenda, who reports:

Look what I found this morning! Local Admiral resident Danni and her dog Trinny sprucing up the pathway along Admiral Bridge! ” Good” is happening here in our community too!

It’s an important time of year to do anything you can to clean up walkways, storm drains, etc., because whatever’s not cleaned up will head into storm drains, and this video made last week by “Diver Laura” James reminds us what happens from there:

P.S. Several neighborhood councils will have community cleanups in the weeks ahead – watch here for the dates/times as we get them.

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Update: Visiting/revisiting sites new and old as ‘Nickelsville’ moves

September 1, 2013 11:56 am

| 90 COMMENTS

| Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 9:04 PM with photos from our early-evening return visits to the four sites – scroll down)

11:56 AM: This is the date set by the City Council in June for closure of the West Seattle site that for more than two years has been home to the encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville.” As we’ve reported in ongoing coverage, the encampment announced it has three new sites. We’re checking in on the move as today proceeds, starting with a look at those three sites (mapped here) so we have “before and after” photos. At 11 am, an hour into the announced schedule for “moving day,” we stopped at 2020 S. Jackson:

Porta-potties were in view, as were “no parking” signs for today only. The only person in view was someone getting ready to do some weed-whacking. The site is owned by the Low-Income Housing Institute, per county records; it owns Ernestine Anderson Place next door, described as “60 units for homeless and low-income seniors.” From there, we headed north to the 1419 22nd Ave. site, photographed at 11:07 am, no one there yet:

That site is owned by the adjacent-to-the-south Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. From there, via I-5, we got to the Skyway site at 11:25. It’s at 12914 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., a busy freeway-like stretch between I-5 and Renton, which according to property records used to hold a tavern and motel; its ownership is listed as an LLC held by Pete Sikov, who gained fame in 2005 as owner of Jimi Hendrix‘s boyhood home. Photo ~~shortly~~ added:

It’s the largest site but also, as had been noted on the Nickelsville Works Facebook page, choked with overgrowth. No one on site as of 11:35 am, but two porta-potties are in view, as with the other two sites. Next, what’s happening at the West Seattle site right now; arriving in the area, we found ourselves behind a van containing the Nickelsville goats, whom we’re told are headed to munch on the Skyway overgrowth.

12:51 PM: The photo above is our overview from right about noon. Lots of work in view:

And belongings gathered up:

The view further into the camp:

We’ll revisit the sites late in the day for updates.

2:55 PM UPDATE: In our update last Thursday, we showed the encampment flyer that included a schedule for cleaning up the site over the next three days. Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Carolyn Stauffer says the city has sanctioned that: “I just heard from Jerry DeGrieck / Mayor’s office- with an update: They are going to allow access to the current Nickelsville site through Wednesday for time to move, clear and clean up the site; there will be added security at the site through that time, and a fence will go up on Thursday.”

8:55 PM UPDATE: As planned, we revisited the sites past and present early this evening, in the 6 pm hour. If you’re reading this from the home page, click ahead to see; otherwise, just keep scrolling:

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West Seattle Sunday: Last lighthouse tours; salsa dancing; more

September 1, 2013 10:10 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Busy news day, so we are pointing you directly to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for info on happenings from the final day of Alki Point Lighthouse tours to salsa dancing on the beach tonight, and more.

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Update: Tentative agreement reported between Seattle Public Schools and its teachers union

September 1, 2013 7:10 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

7:10 AM: Per a statement sent to news media by Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda, negotiators for the district and its teachers union reached a tentative deal very early this morning:

I want to express my thanks to the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools bargaining teams for their efforts to craft a tentative contract agreement for the 2013-14 school year.

All of us at Seattle Public Schools value the contributions, skills and dedication that our educators bring to Seattle Public Schools every day, and their commitment to our students’ success.

SEA has informed us that the membership will vote on the tentative agreement on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 pm.

We look forward to having an approved agreement and a successful start to the 2013 school year.

The Seattle Education Association‘s Facebook page says the agreement was reached at 12:18 am.

8:32 AM: For those who are asking – we are continuing to comb the Web, including Facebook/Twitter, and still haven’t found details of the deal – BUT SPS has just answered the question posed by a sharp-eyed commenter who wondered about the superintendent’s mention of only this school year: It’s a TWO-YEAR contract proposal, according to spokesperson Teresa Wippel. Also a point of discussion – the Tuesday afternoon union meeting is a date/time already set days ago, as we had previously noted here.

9:36 AM: West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren has sent e-mail to her public list making note of the agreement:

… The details will first be presented to the teachers, who are set to vote on it Tuesday. With the recommendation of union leaders to accept the agreement, I am optimistic that it will be ratified, and that YOUR CHILDREN CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY AND OUR TEACHERS WILL BE EAGERLY AWAITING THEM!!!!! I’m incredibly grateful to, and proud of, all the people who participated in leading us to this agreement. More details will be coming, after the information is shared with our teachers. …

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