Editorial: School tax change needs explanation
March 4, 2010
A proposal in the state Senate that would shift property taxes from local districts to the state in order to fund education has the seed of good public policy, but must be explored further.
The bill (SB 6858) generally proposes that local school districts have their levy lid decreased, meaning less local school taxes. In exchange, the state would increase its property tax rate by a corresponding amount. Read more
Letter to the editor
February 4, 2010
City should return its sign code to original 2005 standards
The Newcastle sign standards pushed through by former City Manager John Starbard should be replaced by our original standards, adopted in 2005 after an extensive public process. The new signs lose by all measures: safety, information, readability, cost and appearance. Treat them like convicted felons: three strikes and they’re out.
Strike one: Park signs. The January Newcastle News said the city had removed six signs from near Windtree Park and Highlands Park because of size, “traffic visibility problems” and multiple complaints. Residents said the signs didn’t blend in, looked out of place, and were dangerous, with thin metal edges and corners “placed right at toddler eye level.”
Newcastle’s original standard is safer and more informative. It uses Bellevue’s design, with signplates held in an attractive rounded frame — no sharp edges. Moreover, small icons indicate park facilities: You can see at a glance if a park has restrooms.
Strike two: Street signs. The street signs on south Coal Creek Parkway use the new color — somewhere between chartreuse and bile green. The light background makes white lettering less readable: An out-of-town friend wondered why the “faded” signs hadn’t been replaced. These signs may not meet federal and state DOT visibility standards. Let’s stick with forest green.
Strike three: Trail signs. The original standard allows signplates on all four sides of a signpost; walkers from any direction can see their options (destinations and distances) displayed on the side facing them. The new standard uses at most two opposing faces of the signpost. The old signplates cost less than $5; the new ones cost about $200.
The hurried adoption of new sign standards erased years of work by citizens who voted for the original city logo (designed by a local artist), helped install trail signs and worked on park sign standards in 2004-2005. It says to them “your work, your opinions and your votes don’t count.”
Our new council has halted the replacement of existing signage. Perhaps they can restore the original signplates and historic logo and ask NBBJ, the consultant on the inferior new standards, for a refund.
Garry Kampen
Newcastle
Editorial: Library levy request misleads voters
February 4, 2010
Seattle Public Libraries are cutting costs by cutting hours at most of its libraries, while adding hours at other key library locations. The King County Library System should do the same. Instead, it is asking voters for more taxes, to return its maintenance and operations levy to the highest allowed levy rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Read more
Letters to the editor
December 31, 2009
Vote yes for Issaquah schools
On Feb. 9, the Issaquah School District will ask voters to renew three district levies — an operations and maintenance levy, a transportation levy and a technology/capital repairs levy. I support these measures, which are important to maintaining the high learning standards of our local schools.
The operations and maintenance levy is especially critical, because it represents approximately 21 percent of the district’s total budget. Without it, our students would have larger class sizes, we would do without support staff like librarians and counselors, and curriculum choices would disappear. The transportation levy will pay for newer, safer school buses. The value of the technology levy is obvious in an economy shaped by computers and automation.
The district recognized today’s economic climate by not requesting new taxes or construction bonds. Tax rates for these renewal levies will remain the same or lower for the next four years.
It is so important to prepare all children for future employment, citizenship, and participation in an increasingly competitive world. When your ballot arrives in the mail, please take the time to fill out your ballot and return it.
Please join our family in voting yes for Issaquah schools.
Imelda Dulcich
Newcastle
Support three school levies
As we face the holiday season this year, the current economic situation seems to come to the forefront of our minds. And the furthest thing from our minds is Election Day 2010.
But Feb. 9, 2010 is coming fast, and for our children, this election is critical. The Issaquah School District is asking voters to renew its commitment to education.
Every four years, our citizens must renew the maintenance and operation, school bus and capital levies for our schools, and this year is another opportunity in that cycle.
As involved parents, we see how vital the levy dollars are to the education of our children. When we see the district’s test scores, hear how educational assistants work with struggling students or watch our teachers use technology to improve student learning, it’s hard to believe the Issaquah School District is one of the lowest-funded schools in Washington state. And with the governor’s new budget proposal to make up for a $2.6 billion deficit, the money our district receives from the state will drop about $5 million.
That is why our levies are critical to the success of our schools. Not only do they pay for the lights, the heat, the copy paper and hundreds of other not-so-glamorous things, but they also pay for about 20 percent of our teachers and other certified staff.
More amazingly, the state does not pay for one bit of technology in our classrooms. If we want our children to continue to have an outstanding education to prepare them for life in the 21st century, it is imperative that we continue funding our schools.
So, if you haven’t yet registered to vote, you have until Jan. 11, 2010. Please register. And if you have registered, please check your mail, fill out your ballot, vote yes on the three levies and mail it in.
Lynne Hepp, president,
Newcastle Elementary School PTSA
Lynn Bisset, VIS representative,
Newcastle Elementary PTSA
Councilwoman Jean Garber thanks supporters, community
I very much regret not being able to attend the Dec. 1 meeting of the Newcastle City Council due to illness. I had intended to make a “farewell” statement, and will do so briefly in this letter to the editor.
First, I want to thank those of you who encouraged me to run, helped with my campaign and voted for me in the November election. I greatly appreciate your support. Thanks also to the many Newcastle residents who engaged me in conversation while I was doorbelling. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you better.
It has been a privilege to serve on the Newcastle City Council for 12 years, and I am proud of the work that the council, staff and community have accomplished together. I wish the newly constituted council wisdom as it leads the city into the future.
Jean Garber, former city councilmember
Newcastle
City needs to re-evaluate 116th Avenue Southeast snow route
To the city:
Thank you for the 2009 winter newsletter, which was sent to our home; we appreciate the information. However, we are concerned about the snow and ice priority routes as outlined on the map. We feel 116th Avenue Southeast needs to have a priority one ranking.
Along with those who live near 116th Avenue Southeast, we depend on this road to access Interstate 405 and services like markets and hospitals. We question why Newcastle Golf Club Road is ranked with a higher priority than 116th Avenue Southeast.
It doesn’t seem like Newcastle Golf Club road is critical in emergency situations. There are many side roads that intersect with 116th Avenue Southeast, and because we are the ones who pay the taxes in this city and need to get to our jobs in a safe manner, I would expect 116th Avenue Southeast to be a priority one route.
Please reconsider the snow and ice priority routes and provide a reply with the reason for making Newcastle Golf Club Road a higher priority than 116th Avenue Southeast.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Dean and Kirie Tsuchida
Newcastle
Editorial: School levy lid lift could replace state cuts
December 31, 2009
The Issaquah School District stands to lose $4.9 million in state funding if Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget is passed through the Legislature as is. Read more
Letters to the editor:
December 7, 2009
Pamela Teal thanks voters
I’d like to thank Renton School District citizens for their support and trust in electing me to the Renton School Board of Directors. I am honored and humbled by your vote of confidence, and vow to work hard for all of the district’s students, teachers and staff, as well as their families and communities.
Since being appointed to the position, I have learned a lot about the responsibilities of a school board member. My years of school and community involvement have prepared me for the rigors of school board work. However, I’ve learned over the past months that no one has a monopoly on good ideas. I look forward to partnering with all of you to provide the best possible education for our students.
During my campaign, I was asked by many, “Why would you work so hard to be elected to a volunteer position?”
My answer is I feel compelled to give back to my district and my community. Renton teachers and support personnel are tremendous educators, capable and dedicated to providing the district’s 14,000 plus students with a quality education.
The Renton School District is a great place to learn. Good things are happening every day, and there are improvements that continue be made. I look forward to working with you as we celebrate the successes and address the needs. Thank you again for allowing me to continue my work to make the Renton School District a place where we “Launch Learning to Last a Lifetime.”
Pamela Teal
Renton School Board
Good Samaritans appreciated
The wind had blown our yard recycler down and across the street about one block down from the end of our driveway. It was on a steep embankment and I thought I could reach and pull it up, but for every step I took forward I went back two, a man pulled off the road and helped me.
He was able to pull the recycler up, but I fell further down as it was very steep. What stopped me was a patch of blackberries. Two more cars stopped to help and the drivers were able to boost me out and lift me out of this steep embankment. I did not get any names — one man drove a white convertible, two had KOMO jackets on and the fourth lived on 116th and is a Scout leader (In fact, his Scouts have been picking up garbage on Southeast 76th Street.)
I could not thank them enough and they all disappeared. The only person I really talked to was the Scout leader; he walked up the street with me and then went back to bring the recycler back to our yard. As for me, all I have are a few scratches from the blackberry bushes and a lesson well-learned there are some things you cannot do alone. A big thank you to the good Samaritans.
Laura L. Pratt
Newcastle
Editorial: Early signs from county exec are encouraging
December 7, 2009
In the weeks since King County voters picked Dow Constantine as the next county executive, the new leader has taken several steps to include Newcastle and Eastside voices in the transition. Read more
EDITORIAL: Shop Newcastle — it’s home
November 6, 2009
There are so many good reasons to make a true commitment to shopping right here in Newcastle. Let us count the ways.
Boost the local economy. Spend $100 at a local store and $45-$68 of it stays here in Newcastle. Local businesses hire your neighbors. More of your tax dollars are reinvested in your community parks, roads and public safety. And you’ll save on gas, leaving a little extra to spend on you.
The environment wins. Buying local means less packaging than an online purchase requires, and fewer gas emissions from transporting goods or from your own driving.
It’s about community. Local retailers are your friends and neighbors, and more likely to give you the best service. Local businesses donate to local nonprofit organizations in support of their community. And local businesses are often the best social-networking sites, where people connect to make things happen. Newcastle businesses give our community its one-of-a-kind personality!
At a time when the city of Newcastle is contemplating every possible budget cut, every dollar you spend locally does matter. At a time when local businesses are barely hanging on to their employees, it makes a big impact when you spend your dollars here.
The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses are asking local families to think twice when they buy a tank of gas or pick up a gallon of milk outside the Newcastle city limits. Choosing professionals — from health care providers to the dog groomer — in a nearby city is only taking away from Newcastle business owners.
Consumers are beginning to spend again, although still conservatively. Make every dollar count. Newcastle is home.
Work to be done
There is nothing like a local election to divide friends and a community as candidates get heated in their quest for votes. It can also be a time of renewal.
This year’s city elections are now over and it’s time to put aside personal feelings. The voters and the city are the real winners — if the energy and passion of the candidates and their supporters can be channeled into the work that lies ahead in making important decisions about the city’s future.
Pay attention, speak up, volunteer. There’s work to be done.
Letters to the editor
November 6, 2009
Calling for Kids was a success
Thank you all who donated to Calling for Kids last month, making it our most successful ever with $235,000 pledged from 1,986 donors! These funds will be used to raise academic achievement, support struggling students and provide professional development opportunities for staff. They come during a critical time of declining resources for our district.
We are grateful to the entire community for their support — the high school students who made the calls, and in doing so, raised money for their clubs and teams; the teachers and other school district staff members including Superintendent Steve Rasmussen, who addressed envelopes and made phone calls; the Issaquah Schools Foundation Board and Advisory Council for their critical support; the event committee led by Deborah Parsons and Leigh Stokes; and most importantly, the community, who gave so generously.
Thank you, everyone, for your support.
Robin Callahan, executive director
Issaquah Schools Foundation
Where’s the south end candidate forum?
A new school year is upon us – but with an old problem.
In my e-mail inbox recently was a note from the Issaquah School District. It told of an election preview meeting for school board candidates sponsored by the Issaquah PTSA Council to be held at Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus. The Issaquah Press hosted a candidate’s night for Issaquah City Council and school board positions in Issaquah.
The PTSA president told me that because no one on the plateau knows the candidates, they decided to have the meeting up there. One of these candidates will represent this area on the school board. So far, none of the area schools have volunteered to have a candidate’s night. How many south-end residents know who the candidates are?
The PTSA and district are two separate entities. But once again, south-end residents are left out. I attended the boundary review meeting at Liberty High School a couple of years ago. Parents attending the meeting were concerned about Liberty students not having as many classes as Skyline and Issaquah high students have to choose from.
The same goes for the number of classes at Maywood Middle School versus plateau or valley middle schools. District staff blew the parents’ concerns away.
“We are going to meet to discuss this problem and will be seeking a solution,” the audience was told. The principals met last year. I was told that the district will use what it “learned” last year to help decide on a new math curriculum and how to smoothly integrate the Pacific Cascade freshmen back to Skyline and Issaquah high schools – among other things. So much for equality among the various district schools when it comes to classes offered at the various schools.
In the coming months, there will be districtwide discussions — with and without the PTSA Council and district staff — regarding the upcoming February levy vote. Maybe the south-end residents should reject the levy to let the PTSA, other parts of the district and district administration know that we exist out here.
Claudia Donnelly
Renton
Letters to the editor
October 7, 2009
Pam Teal has dedication needed for Renton School Board
As a Newcastle resident and parent in the Renton School District, please join me in electing Pam Teal for the Renton School Board.
Pam has lived in the district since 1985 and has two sons who have attended Renton schools for their entire public education. Pam was appointed to a vacancy on the Renton School Board on Feb. 3. She is now running for election for a full four-year term. Read more
