tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post528466744438574039..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Want to Understand the Issues over Local Levies and School Funding?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77520000624285161862015-04-20T06:25:45.355-07:002015-04-20T06:25:45.355-07:00As a renter and someone who works in SPS it is an ...As a renter and someone who works in SPS it is an issue which one struggles. <br /><br />I vote no on every levy. I already live in a gentrifying hood and will soon be priced out.<br /><br />Don't own a car so I rely on Metro and the ability to get to work would be a major struggle to make it on time.<br /><br />I make just above minimum wage and as a result not affected by the rise of April 1.<br /><br />So I have a second job to make it work. <br /><br />Sorry but I love your kids and I like my job but I cannot afford to supplement them.<br /><br />I vote no. <br /><br />- SPS Employee Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62922660742568046632015-04-19T13:42:50.421-07:002015-04-19T13:42:50.421-07:00So ... "advanced learning" is not enrich...So ... "advanced learning" is not enrichment. (Really. It is included in the state's definition of basic education, whether you think of "advanced learning" as college prep or highly capable.) And that captures an ongoing problem about K-12 funding legalities. Way back when, the courts decided to differentiate between "basic" and "enhancement." But very little of what's getting funded as "enhancement" is. For instance, the arts are a core element of K-12 education in WA (with learning standards and everything), and all students, at all grades should have access to an arts education. But it's funded as an enhancement. Another, all kids need to be given the "opportunity" to meet college and career graduation requirements. That implies support -- tutoring, counseling, etc. Also funded as an enhancement. <br /><br />-Ramona HAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75605956904397860432015-04-18T08:36:52.958-07:002015-04-18T08:36:52.958-07:00Great point, Renter.Great point, Renter.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45598777304930182652015-04-18T08:29:05.982-07:002015-04-18T08:29:05.982-07:00After reading this it is interesting to consider t...After reading this it is interesting to consider the issue of rent, and the high cost of it, we are seeing in Seattle.<br /><br />Yes, there are crummy landlords who are cashing in, I will give you that. But I know many more who are not, who are struggling to address the increases in water/sewer/garbage rates, insurance costs and...property tax increases.<br /><br />You see, when there are levies passed to fund things that should really be funded by other revenue avenues, and property taxes creep up, landlords pass these costs right down to tenants in the form of rent hikes. <br /><br />So property taxes effect not only homeowners but renters, too. That needs to be included in any rent-based issue/argument, and it would be great to draw a line between those costs and the house of cards manner that we're using to fund our schools.<br /><br />I keep flashing back to Maria Goodloe-Johnson's robo call encouraging us to vote...Remember?<br /><br />-renterwithkidsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com