Seattle Schools Community Forum

I had understood that the district was reviewing the plan for Thornton Creek.  What I believed I had heard was that it did not appear to the community that the district had considered all options.  (I also believe there were real differences of opinion within the community about what would be the best plan.) The district DID do analysis and here it is.  There is a comparison of two projects - the one at Cedar Park and the one at Thornton Creek. The analysis for Cedar Park was versus using Lake City property (an old school building that has been coverted into offices).  They still believe Cedar Park is the better option (cheaper) but looking at the breakdown, CP would have to have 8(!) portables to be viable.  I am also confused at the high price to redo Lake City as it is a lovely building that just needs some renovation (although it needs a gym)  and yet is is double the cost of updating CP.  And Lake City would have double the classrooms....

A fascinating, chock-a-block Board meeting to come this Wednesday night and I can only say, "Superintendent Banda, help us!"  That said, this meeting will have it all so he will get a very good look at what's to come. You should make plans to come given the uncertainty of what the Transportation Plan is at this time.  Both the Board and Banda should be able to see parents mean business.    To note: if you want to speak, sign-up starts at 8 am Monday morning, 252-0040 or boardagenda@seattleschools.org.   You have two minutes so time that talk. On the upside, Leo Pfeifer, the young Salmon Bay director, will show his award-winning short film, Who Owns Free Speech, from 5:45-5:55 pm.  (Note to all; if you don't want to watch it, please do not stay in the room and talk.  I've seen this many times with young performers and frankly, some of us DO like to watch the student presentations.)

Wednesday, May 9th Executive Committee meeting, 8am-10am.  Agenda .  Highlights: Review of upcoming Board meetings Legislative session update Memorial Stadium (interesting because it is at this committee meeting and not Operations) community engagement (no idea what this might mean) redistricting Director district boundaries (I mentioned this previously; minor tweaks based on the legislative redistricting) transition issues (for our new superintendent) Director McLaren Community meeting - 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Southwest Library, 9010 35th Avenue SW Work Session: BEX IV from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10th Audit&Finance Committee meeting from 4-6 p.m.  Agenda. Highlights: Lake City Lease termination Affirmative Action plan Policy 6882 - Leases and Sales of properties (I have never read this one so I don't know if it is new or a replacement.) Budget development update Friday, May 11th  BEX Oversight Committee meeting, from 8:30-10:30 am, Room...

Via Director Peaslee, new info from Ron English, legal counsel for the district about the Lake City property (and thank you to Mr. English for this detailed explanation). It's quite long and detailed and I am printing it in its entirety.   I still have my three main issues with this idea: - should the district be in the property management business at all?   It is not a core purpose of the district. - Mr. English's statement says that the district's real estate adviser says:" annual returns over a 20 year period of at least $400,000 can be expected and that the negotiated agreement represents a fair result to the District. "   However, there is no guarantee for the amount the district could earn and we have all seen what effect downturns in the economy can have on deflation of real estate.  My advice would be that if the district goes down this road to make NO plans around this money.  Meaning,"oh, we have $400k from this so we can pay for Progra...

A number of the School Board directors seemed confused by the proposed deal with Lorig and Associates on the Lake City School. Perhaps I can clarify the situation. The proposal is for Seattle Public Schools to buy an office building for $3.2 million as an investment property. If you think this is a good deal for the District and something the District should be doing, then why stop here? Why not use our capital funds to buy additional investment properties? In the current era of tight credit and low interest rates, the District could find a lot of bargains. Cap rates on Class B and Class C buildings are high right now, particularly outside the downtown core. The District could realize very strong returns on these investments - returns comparable to the offer from Lorig. After all, Lorig would offer the same deal to anyone else - to take over the building for $3.2m. The District's money is no greener than anyone else's. While it is true that the District has a history with ...