In this Seattle Hall Pass episode, Christie and Jane interview Liza Rankin, discussing her roles as School Board President and Legislative Liaison. The conversation delves into legislative priorities, with President Rankin providing insights into the legislative process and the importance of community advocacy.

CONTENT WARNING: There is NO discussion of board director resignations or vacancies in this episode, as it was recorded in early January, 2024.

See our show notes for sources and much more information.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Episode 23 of Seattle Hall Pass discusses the sudden resignations of School Board directors Vivian Song and Lisa Rivera. The episode delves into the factors leading to their departure, and touches on the significant impact of their exit. The episode provides insights from various stakeholders, reflecting on the directors' contributions and the broader implications for governance and representation in the Seattle Public Schools system.

See our show notes for sources and much more information.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, Christie and Jane delve into developments shaping K-12 education in the 2024 Washington State Legislative Session. Tune in for a breakdown of these legislative developments and a preview of what to expect in the coming week. Topics covered include special education, school lunch, and more.

See our show notes for links to the committees, bills, and more. 

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

The Washington State legislative session started on Monday, January 8th. Jane and Christie talk through some of what is happening in Olympia that pertains to education.

Some topics include: the governor's budget, district funding bills, student mental health, restraint and isolation, special education, and gun responsibility.

Show notes

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Part III in our three-part series of on-the-ground stories from the "October shuffles" at SPS elementary schools, where teachers are moved between classes and buildings to match enrollment and class ratio requirements. In this episode, we interviewed: 

• Jessica Warner-Grant, a parent at Olympic Hills Elementary in Lake City
• Tyler Dupuis, a teacher at Orca K-8 in Columbia City 
• Kevin Litwack, a parent at Leschi Elementary in the Central District

Part I - Dunlap
Part II - Adams and Cedar Park

See our show notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we feature the second of a three-part series on the October shuffles at SPS elementary schools. Here, we interviewed parents at Sarah Nau at Cedar Park Elementary in Lake City and Cortny Helmink Adams Elementary in Ballard about how the upheaval affected their communities.

Part I - Dunlap

See our show notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we feature the first of a three-part series on the October shuffles at SPS elementary schools. We interview two parents (Nasirah Salaymane Craig and Alex Wakeman Rouse) and one teacher (Wil Depusoy) from  Dunlap Elementary school in Southeast Seattle about how the upheaval affected their community.

See our show notes. 

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, Christie and Jane bring you a conversation with the President of the Edmonds School Board, Nancy Katims, and the President of the Edmonds Teachers Union, Andi Nofziger-Meadows. They organized a Multi-District Letter to State Legislators requesting that 44 percent of the $1.2 billion state budget surplus for 2024 be distributed to PK-12 education. The letter was co-signed by union leaders and school board presidents at a variety of other districts across the state.

See our show notes to see the letter and more primary sources of information. 

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This week we’re reporting on the first meeting of the newly elected School Board, on December 13, 2023.

The Board elected a new President, Vice President, and Member at Large.  Also, the board voted on the Budget Resolution, in which they authorize the superintendent on the cost-saving measures he can “consider and research” to close the $105 million budget gap.

See our show notes. 

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

This episode of Seattle Hall Pass covers the Budget Resolution that will be voted on by the School Board on December 13. It provides a broad outline of mechanisms the district may explore to address the $105 million budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year. Jane and Christie touch briefly on the swearing in of the four School Board Directors who were elected on November 7. 

See our show notes.

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Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.