Liberty class schedules won’t be changing soon, superintendent says
January 31, 2012
NEW — 3:55 p.m. Jan. 31, 2012
No major changes, at least not immediately.
That was essentially the recommendation of Issaquah School Superintendent Steve Rasmussen regarding possible adjustments to the schedules at the district’s four high schools.
But at the same time he made that recommendation to what proved to be a somewhat dissatisfied school board, Rasmussen did lay down several action steps he expects high school principals to take in the coming months.
District officials have been studying common schedules at the high schools in part in order to make better use of resources, including teachers. A schedule committee failed to come up with any final recommendation for a unified schedule, though they shared numerous findings on the overall issue.
Issaquah School Board incumbents return
December 1, 2011
Brian Deagle, Suzanne Weaver retain seats
In the races for the two contested seats on the Issaquah School Board, the two incumbents outdistanced their general election opponents by similar margins.
“I’m glad to see the results the way they are,” board member Brian Deagle said shortly after initial vote totals were available.
Suzanne Weaver
Brian Deagle
As of Nov. 30, final numbers show Deagle defeated challenger Patrick Sansing 14,230 to 7,520 or 65 percent to 34.4 percent.
The other incumbent, Suzanne Weaver, outpaced challenger Brian Neville 14,005 to 8,091, or 63 percent to 36.5 percent.
Anne Moore will join the board in January; she ran unopposed for the seat to be vacated by board President Jan Colbrese.
Like Deagle, Weaver also expressed gratitude over the results.
Bellevue resident Anne Moore readies to join school board
December 1, 2011
Long before the first ballot was mailed back to King County, Issaquah School District residents were guaranteed of seeing at least one new face on their school board of directors next year.
Bellevue resident Anne Moore ran unopposed for the District One seat being vacated by current board president Jan Colbrese.
“I will always be deeply invested in the Issaquah School District,” Colbrese said.
Anne Moore
But after what will be 12 years on the board, Colbrese said that following discussions with her husband, she decided it was time to move on. She further noted that all of her children have now graduated from district schools.
Colbrese announced her decision not to run in June, prior to the election filing deadline. Issaquah School District 1 covers an area of the district to the west of Issaquah and south to Coalfield and north to Lake Sammamish.
Officials encourage council to support $219 million school bond
December 1, 2011
Issaquah School Board President Jan Colbrese knows the district must maintain equitable resources, infrastructure and quality education throughout its 15 elementary, five middle and four high schools.
That’s one reason the district will ask voters to support its April 17 $219 million capital improvement bond, which includes money for upgrades to nearly every school in the district — even during a time during such economic uncertainty, she said.
“Our problem is that we have children in school right now,” Colbrese said. “You can’t tell those kids, ‘I’m sorry, you’re in this economic time. It’s a really hard time.”
Members of the school board met with the Newcastle City Council on Nov. 7 to discuss the bond and other issues facing the district, including possible improvements to traffic flow in the drop-off area at Newcastle Elementary School.
“We’ll be coming to you with reports for support on this measure because if the district is soundly managed, and if the district is a place where people know a quality education is being provided, then it helps your city as well,” Colbrese said.
Because the new bond package is expected to be about half as much as the district’s bond debt that is retiring in 2012, residents in the district should see a decrease in school-related taxes, even if the bond is approved, according to the district.
Gordon Bisset takes lead in contested City Council race
November 8, 2011
NEW — 8:45 p.m. Nov. 8, 2011
As ballots for the 2012 general election begin to roll in, Gordon Bisset has established a dominant lead over challenger Frank Irigon for the Newcastle City Council’s only contested race this year, according to information provided on the King County elections website.
With about 71 percent or 1,077 votes — of about 28 percent of the ballots counted so far — Bisset leads Irigon for the council’s fourth position. Irigon earned 28 percent of the vote, or 425 votes.
“I’m very pleased with the results,” Bisset said. “I’d like to thank the voters of Newcastle and will be getting ready to carry out my campaign themes.”
Bisset previously served a four-year term on the council from 2002-2005 and has lived in the Hazelwood neighborhood of the city for 41 years.
Irigon has lived in the Rainer Crest neighborhood of Newcastle for 25 years. This is the first time he has run for the position.
Get ready for start of campaign season
May 6, 2011
If you’ve been thinking about taking on a bigger leadership role in Newcastle, it’s time to take the next step. Filing for candidates is June 6-10.
Newcastle City Council, school districts and the Coal Creek Utility District will hold elections this fall.
Many candidates are already filling out the needed paperwork with the state. Others have announced their intentions.
City Council incumbents Lisa Jensen, Carol Simpson and Steve Buri will seek re-election. Sonny Putter will opt out after serving 17 years; Parks Commission Chair Andrew Shelton has said he will seek Putter’s seat.
Council candidates must be registered voters at the time of filing and have one year of Newcastle residency. Those qualifications are the law, but candidates should also bring the willingness to devote hours every week to numerous meetings and study of the issues. An elected official’s most important attribute is the ability to listen and communicate.
The issues sure to be hot topics in City Council races this year include future city budgets, future development in the city limits and mitigation of seasonal flooding on Lake Boren. Park development and funding is sure to come up, and the relocation of City Hall will likely get rehashed.
Meet your school board candidates
October 10, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 10, 2009
The Liberty High School Parents, Teachers and Students Association is hosting a community meeting with Issaquah School Board candidates Oct. 13.
Wright Noel and Marnie Maraldo are running for the Director District No. 2 position on the school board.
The PTSA is hosting a community meeting with the candidates from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in classroom 121 at Liberty High School, 16655 S.E. 136th St.
Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak, and then will take questions from the public in an informal setting.
The candidates will represent the Liberty attendance area, but are voted into office by all residents living within the Issaquah School District.
School board member Chad Magendanz is running for the Director District No. 4 position, but he is unopposed.
