Tuesday Open Thread

I'm disappointed that the Mayor says he's staying put.  He's now the lamest of lame ducks and frankly, it hurts our city at a time when we need leadership.  From The Stranger:

His statement came after City Council Member Lorena González called for his resignation by July 24. She said the council should consider looking at steps for his removal if he does not step down by that deadline. But a number of González's colleagues, including Debra Juarez, Bruce Harrell, Sally Bagshaw and Lisa Herbold, seem to be more skeptical. The four city council members released a statement saying Murray did not "willfully violate" his duties. But as Daniel Beekman of the Times pointed out, the statement did not address another potential cause for impeachment: "an offense involving moral turpitude." 

From University of Washington Communications about new Learning Gardens in SPS:

The University of Washington College of Education, Tilth Alliance and Seattle Public Schools are partnering to change this status quo and create more culturally and community relevant, field-based learning opportunities for students. Funded by a $2.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the project will build outdoor learning gardens and draw upon local communities and green spaces at several Seattle schools while developing a robust curriculum for K-3 educators to engage students in complex ecological reasoning and decision-making.

The project is kicking off at Viewlands, Leschi and Maple elementary schools this summer. Sustainable gardens will be built at each site, with a focus on:

• food gardens for humans and animals 

• water gardens, 

• restoration and permagardens, and 

• climate indicator gardens.

At the same time, teachers, researchers, garden coordinators, families and school administrators will work together to build, test and refine an educational model that reflects the rigorous Next Generation Science Standards adopted by Washington state. Learning units will be created for each grade level from kindergarten through 3rd grade, focusing on interactions between natural phenomena and human communities.

This is great news but odd that SPS has said nothing about it.

Tukwila SD's Board has decided to open labor contract talks to the public but apparently didn't tell the unions.  Whoops!

Citing a desire for more transparency, the Tukwila School Board voted last week to hold public contract talks with the district's five employee unions, including those reprsenting teachers, custommdians and principals.  Union leaders, whoever, questioned why they weren't involved int he decision and wondered what implications it could have on future negotiations.

Those who attend the meetings will only be able to watch, not participate.  

Pullman SD apprarently did this at the beginning of the year.  

Prop 1 - The Sales Tax for Cultural Access Program - are you voting for it?  While I like the idea of arts funding to allow more kids to access the arts in our city, I have some concerns.

First, another in a long line of regressive taxes (yes, I know it's small but when you consider low-income folks, it's not).

Second, there's the language of the proposition seems a bit vague and that's never good.  Also, people seem to think this will help small arts groups but the language of the prop seems to indicate a pretty large budget (my reading is at least $2M) to get a grant.

Third, did the County do any research on why low-income families don't access the arts?  Of course, costs count but what if we pass this and there is not a big uptick in attendance?

Update: here's an interesting document - the financial audit for 4Culture, the Cultural Development Authority of King County (the CDA).

About 4Culture

As of December 31, 2015, the CDA’s total net position was $56.9million, all of which was restricted
and expendable for cultural programs. Total net position of the CDA increased by $14.7million, or 34.9%,for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was composed of $23.1million of total revenues and $8.4million of total expenses
What's on your mind?