Well-Resourced Schools Updates: 9/18/24

There’s been some updates since last week’s Well-Resourced Schools announcement last week. Here’s a summary:

• SPS released more information with justifications and data related to each plan. You can view it here (page 7 begins the specific data sharing). It should be noted that many community members are questioning the source and accuracy of this data and its interpretations. You can read a critical analysis regarding SPS’ characterization of options schools here and a history of SPS’ assignment plan changes since 2010 (it’s interesting–I swear!). Community members have also built their own data comparison tools using public data to verify Well-Resourced data citations. Another more visual tool with user-friendly summaries.
• District 4’s Joe Mizrahi Director attended John Hay’s PTSA meeting on Monday and confirmed he would vote “no” on both proposals as written today. From an attending community member:

“While acknowledging that this plan only fixes a piece of the budget gap, he said “There is a deeper menu of cuts if we do not consolidate.” And alluded to more closures as this would be more of a first phase of the plan to close the gap. He agreed that is was a “fair question” when asked about WHY families should believe that SPS will start offering these special education and other services in the new schools, he said: “Isn’t it great to think all these services will be available in every neighborhood school?” And acknowledged that historically, this is not was has happened. Even going so far as to say “That would be a lot for even the most competent districts.” Then added: “I’m sensing skepticism in the room, I share that skepticism. The district needs to show their work.” Ultimately, he conceded that “The immediate impact (of these closures) is not a well resourced school.”

• Our District 2 Director, Sarah Clark, attended a meeting on Tuesday and confirmed she would vote “no” on both proposals as written today. She cited concerns about the district’s research, that the timeline was too aggressive, SPS’ loss of public trust, and other concerns she had about specifics of each proposal. 
• District 2 Director Sarah Clark responded to our requests for community engagement on Tuesday afternoon; we’re waiting for a response regarding scheduling a meeting.
• Seattle’s podcast about Seattle Public Schools (yes, we have that!) released their episode covering the proposals.
• WA Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal submitted a budget request on 9/17 asking Governor Jay Inslee to increase state education funding by $2.9 billion for the ‘25-27 state budget. These state increases would include:
  • $1B in special education funding, which would lift the existing funding cap which leaves districts with funding gaps
  • $152.5M in transportation funds 
  • $350.7M for materials, supplies, and operating costs
  • $695M for classified staff, like paraeducators, health services workers, clerical professionals and IT technicians
  • Additional funds (outside the $2.9 billion) to support existing programs, like maintaining the free and reduced school lunch programs for qualifying families

You can learn more about this funding request during Chris Reykdal’s news conference on Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. (streamed live on TVW).