Seattle & King County Policy Updates
by School's Out Washington | | Posted under
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Councilmember Dow Constantine have been in the news lately regarding restructuring of education services and proposals for funding to support children during their early years. Take a moment to read about these recent headlines and issues facing Seattle and King County area residents.
Mayor Murray Announces Creation of City Department for Education and Early Learning
On September 22, Mayor Murray transmitted his 2015-2016 budget proposal. Included is the creation of the new Department for Education and Early Learning. This new department would combine the City’s education-related investments and programs into one new department. This department would serve to:
- Demonstrate the City’s renewed commitment to closing Seattle’s achievement and opportunity gap
- Align the City’s education and early learning programs and initiatives to maximize learning outcomes for children
- Embed the goals and principles of the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into its day-to-day approach to education
- Prepare for implementation of a voluntary, high‐quality, preschool program for the city’s three‐ and four‐year‐olds
- Boost students’ academic achievement through closer collaboration with the Seattle School District
There will be two upcoming City Council sponsored public hearings on the Mayor’s 2015 Proposed Budget. One hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Garfield Community Center. The other hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23 at Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers.
Seattle Pre-School Initiatives
There has been quite a bit of news coverage of late on two competing Preschool ballot initiatives this fall on the Seattle ballot. Seattle voters will be asked 1) if you want to vote on a Preschool initiative, and 2) which one you’d like to vote for. While you can only vote for one of the measures, they don’t provide mutually exclusive benefits.
This article from the Seattle Times provides an overview of the differences in ballot initiatives.
King County Updates
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced this week a proposed children’s levy for next year’s ballot. As he states in his announcement:
“We can build a more prosperous and equitable King County by assuring that every baby born and every child raised in this community has a strong start in life and enters adulthood ready to succeed,” said Executive Constantine in an address to the Metropolitan King County Council. “Over time, investing in healthy children and communities will save lives, and balance our budgets.”
Currently, King County is engaging people in creating a Youth Action Plan. This work will likely shape the children’s levy. There will be 4 community conversations around King County in October to help shape the plan.
October 1, 2014, 6:00-8:30 p.m. – Community Conversation
October 1, 2014, 6:00-8:30 p.m. – Community Conversation
Kamiakin Middle School
14111 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
Interpretation available for Arabic, Cantonese, and Vietnamese speakers
October 4, 2014 – Snoqualmie/Rural East King County Community Conversation
10:30-12:30 p.m.
Fall City Library
33415 SE 42nd Place
Fall City, WA 98024
Interpretation available for Spanish speakers
October 4, 2014 – Kent/South County Community Conversation
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Mill Creek Middle School (cafeteria or multi-purpose room)
620 North Central Avenue
Kent, WA 98030
Interpretation available for Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese speakers
October 25, 2014 – South Seattle Community Conversation
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Smilow Rainier Vista Club
4520 Martin Luther King Jr Way S
Seattle, WA 98108
Interpretation available for Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese speakers
For more information and to stay up to date on policy news, contact David Beard, SOWA’s Education Policy & Advocacy Director.
