14 Replies to "What do you want 'Preschool for All' to offer? City reps coming to West Seattle on Thursday for your answer"

• KS March 8, 2014 (9:28 am)

  We shouldn’t spin up another publicly funded education system until we adequately fund K-12. Additionally, the people behind this initiative are conveniently ignoring the valid research on this subject that doesn’t support their agenda.

• Mama4 March 8, 2014 (10:04 am)

  Got a survey call about this too – takes about 10 minutes.

• Diane March 8, 2014 (12:17 pm)

  this is NOT “another publicly funded education system”; it’s part of what should be our fully inclusive public education system, just as we have programs for super smart kids, and programs for kids with special needs
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  we are decades behind nearly every other developed country in provided early childhood education for every family; most developed countries have free universal early childhood education, for decades
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  young children are starving to learn, love to learn; starting education at a younger age will help our entire public school system by giving young children a head start (not everyone can afford $20,000/year for private child care/school) and gives kids the opportunity to realize the excitement in learning at an early age, that can carry with them to the later years in school, and thus, make K-12 better
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  what is sad/pathetic is that people in this country have been so indoctrinated to think this is something “extra” or “special”, to educate our young children; it is the norm in most progressive countries and has been for 30+ years
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  it’s also sad/pathetic that our country has so few cities even trying to get started (finally) with public preschools, that our leaders (mayor, city council, kc council) had to travel for a week to other US cities to learn how to do this

• Ray March 8, 2014 (12:38 pm)

  Why is this being considered?

  It is not the city/state/government’s job to provide this service when, as stated elsewhere, we cannot even adequately fund the mainline school system.

  Is the cost of this solely on the parents participating, or is it subsidized by the rest of us?

  • WSB March 8, 2014 (12:50 pm)

    The mission is to be “affordable.” And I would dare say that you can choose between “subsidizing” education at the front end of people’s lives – or perhaps “subsidizing” services from public assistance to incarceration a couple decades later. Not to say everyone who doesn’t get off to a good start is destined for trouble or to be on the dole, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as my mom always said. You can read more about that on the city’s webpage for the proposal https://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/PreschoolforAll/default.html – which I am adding in the story; neglected to link it after original publication. But if you truly feel that this is not a program you’re interested in funding – please let city leaders know that, since this is their info-gathering stage; the page linked above should have ample contact info – TR

• Ray March 8, 2014 (12:40 pm)

  No, what is sad and pathetic, to use your own words, is the presumption that everything should be paid for and provided by the government.

  There is no reason WHATSOEVER this should be universally funded. For any reason.
  Some people just seem to have a inherent sense of entitlement.

• JanS March 8, 2014 (1:01 pm)

  @Diane…well said…thank you. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of people naysaying, since, heaven forbid, they have to pay for something that benefits all. I totally agreed with what you said.

• Walnut March 8, 2014 (2:20 pm)

  To all you naysayers, I suggest you tour one of our publicly funded school kindergartens. Tell me what you think, after sitting in a class with 30+ students. Many teachers are working wonders and persevere with kids who are under prepared and under nourished. A public, free preschool program for all kids is a no-brainer. No it won’t fix all kids’ problems, but can definitely prepare our kids to be lifelong learners. The data shows this. We as Americans just need to get our priorities straightened out.

• Tuesday March 8, 2014 (2:37 pm)

  “The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people’s money.” – Margaret Thatcher

• Tuesday March 8, 2014 (2:38 pm)

  The data? The data is inconclusive at best.

• Walnut March 8, 2014 (2:56 pm)

  The data says we are failing to educate our kids. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you. Every option should be on the table to help correct the ship.

• JayDee March 8, 2014 (5:52 pm)

  I think that it is a good thing for parents to send their kids to pre-school. What I don’t get is why taxpayers are being asked to subsidize yet another off-the-general fund levy?
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  We already have a mega-millions “Families and Education Levy”…If this is a good idea, fund it when that levy comes up for renewal.
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  It’s a noble idea, but with City Light expecting to raise rates at 7% a year for the next 5 years, we are already taking it in the wallet. I rec’d a 1% raise this year–and very few investments are yielding 7%. Seattle should prioritize funding and only ask for new tax levies in an emergency. One city cannot solve the woes that beset a nation.

• Mike March 8, 2014 (6:34 pm)

  Although I can understand peoples frustration with trying to fund another education program while current ones are severely impacted by mismanagement of funds in place, it is vital to have early education and now.
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  As WSB stated “public assistance to incarceration a couple decades later” is a big one. Fact is that well educated societies have less issue with the need to fill jail cells with young adults. There will always be some, but the crime rate and need to throw youth in jail in Medina, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Woodinville is far less than any neighborhood in Seattle.
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  We are falling behind 3rd world countries when it comes to education. We are producing kids that absolutely suck at math and science, not to mention reading and writing. We’re losing jobs to people overseas and needing to provide H-1B visas to keep up with demand of the job market. We have thousands of open positions that are not being filled here in Seattle. These positions need people that can analyze and think at a higher level than most of our public school graduates.
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  Do I believe more funds are needed for schools at this time? No. Do I believe a major overhaul of our public school system is needed? Yes.
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  I’m lucky enough I can fork out ~$3,400 each month to put my daughters in early education programs. I wish every kid had the opportunity my kids get. It’s my responsibility to provide my kids with the best I can, so I do that.

• Joe Szilagyi March 8, 2014 (6:52 pm)

  Margaret Thatcher, really? A failed head of state who is openly reviled by nearly all but the wealthy in her nation and matriarch of a failed and dying ideology. We can do better and our kids deserve better. This pre-school plan is a start but still not enough.

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