Just a Reminder

I've said this, over and over. But here I go again.

When you vote for school levies, you are voting for a pot of money. Oh sure, there's a lot of projects listed but you never see an actual yearly "here's what we got done."

I had a recent email back and forth with Director Liza Rankin over what was stated in a Seattle Times article about safety updates as well as what the district told voters about the use of taxpayer dollars when BEX V was voted in.

The Seattle Times is reporting this on safety measures:

There are about 15,000 locks that need to be changed and the district is about halfway done, Robinson said. The work should be completed in the next two years. This initiative started about three years ago, and is being paid for through a voter-approved capital levy.

You'll note that the name of the levy is not there. I think that was on purpose from district communications.

Director Rankin claims that lock set replacement is part of BEX V. No, it wasn't but I'll get to that.

However, the Board DID pass a Board Action Report (BAR) to spend money from BEX V for new locks. She said it was this:

The board approved the contract for classroom lock security upgrades in a Regular Board Meeting on October 7, 2020: https://www.seattleschools.org/board-meetings/october-6-executive-session/

(Naturally, she had to note that the meeting is mislabeled.)

The BAR says:
The classroom lock security installation is part of the approved security measures within the BEX V levy that was passed by the voters in February 2019.

Also, want to know something odd? If you go to page 11 of the BAR, it shows a screenshot of the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. It states that Contract 05416 was awarded “12-02-2016” with an expiration date of “11-30-2024.” So when did the replacing actually start and with what money? Because the BAR is from September 2020.

Hmmm. Naturally, Director Rankin avoided answer anything about that issue.

As set out to voters, BEX V did NOT have this lock work. Here’s all the DISTRICT’S own BEX V page says:

Infrastructure and Security

Upgrades will be made to the data center and cloud systems with improvements to the district’s data security and access systems. School internet connectivity and wireless access will be upgraded to meet higher demands. Implementing a computer replacement program will ensure that technology is refreshed on a regular and predictable schedule.

It appears that, in this case, they meant "data security."

Then if you go to the drop-down menu for specifics, most of the schools have this notation:

Safety and security improvements including video intercom systems, card key readers at entries, and additional perimeter fencing if needed after site assessment

That's great and should help but it's NOT changing locks on doors.

If assuring parents that schools are being made safer - you know that transparency thing - were top of mind, why not a running list of schools as they are updated at the district's website?

I know you can say that I'm nitpicking but the Board allows the district to "say" certain things that may or may not be entirely true. How the money is being used, when and where is one of them.

I sure wish Director Rankin cared more about that than protecting staff.