This is a video! See the video here!In 2005, Seattle Public Schools was projecting falling enrollment, and over the ensuing years, 11 schools were closed. But it turned out that the projections were wrong, and SPS needed to reopen most of the buildings. New Seattle Hall Pass contributor Dawson Nichols spoke to four people who were there - Kay Smith-Blum, Leslie Harris, Sue Peters, and Dora Taylor. Note that these interviews were recorded before the June 10 school board meeting had been m...
See our Show NotesContact us hello@seattlehallpass.orgSchool Closure Community Engagement Meetings, May 28 - June 1. In this episode of the Seattle Hall Pass podcast, Christie Robertson and Jane Tunks Demel discuss the recent community meetings held by Seattle Public Schools regarding the proposed closure of 20 out of 73 elementary schools by the 2025-26 school year. They report on the first meeting at Roosevelt High School, which was poorly received due to lack of information and engagement,...
Seattle School Board Meeting of May 22, 2024. Guardrails on school discipline and welcoming environments will not be met, but this is not discussed. Testimony dominates the meetings, focused on tensions with the administration at Pathfinder K-8, and fears of looming school closures.See our Show NotesContact us hello@seattlehallpass.orgSupport the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
Christie Robertson & Jane Tunks Demel discuss the Seattle School Board Meeting of May 8, 2024, wherein the board agreed to entertain a plan to close 20 elementary schools. The list is coming June 10, 2024.Disclaimer: Each person's opinion is their ownSee our extensive Show NotesContact us at hello@seattlehallpass.orgSupport the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
Show NotesContact UsSchool Board President Liza Rankin shares the Seattle School Board’s immediate plans for community engagement to help inform the district's new Strategic Plan.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
See our Show NotesContact us hello@seattlehallpass.orgSupport the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
In this special episode of the Seattle Schools Pass podcast, guests discuss the role of the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance's (SESSFA) annual Move-a-Thon in supporting 17 of our chronically underfunded schools. The Move-a-Thon raises essential funds for basic needs and educational experiences while also building community. Support the cause by donating online at sessfa.org or via mobile by texting D7MOVES to 44-321.contact us: hello@seattlehallpass.orgSupport the Show.Music by ...
Detailed Show NotesContact us hello@seattlehallpass.orgLeave a message speak.seattlehallpass.orgJane Tunks Demel and Christie Robertson talk with Joe Mizrahi, the newly elected Seattle School Board Director for Director District 4. Topics include:Community engagementThe SPS budget crisisDistrict/board/union relationshipsSpecial education and inclusionSupport the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
In Episode 35, we cover the April 3 Seattle School Board meeting and the April 4 swearing-in of the new school board directors Sarah Clark (District 2) and Joe Mizrahi (District 4). We also discuss the budget work session, which included discussions around the 2024-25 school year and the 2025-26 school year. The scheduled progress monitoring session was canceled or postponed, and there was an unscheduled session outlining short-term and long-term community engagement plans. Look for school bo...
The 8 finalists for the Seattle School Board Director positions for Director Districts 2 and 4 participated in a candidate forum moderated by two students, Aayush Muthuswamy and Semai Hagos.The finalists for District 2 are:Carol ThompsonSarah ClarkDanielle GahlShawn SullivanThe finalists for District 4 are:Rachelle OldenJoe MizrahiGabriella GonzalezLaura Marie RiveraSee our Show NotesContact us - hello@seattlehallpass.orgLeave a voice message - speak.seattlehallpass.orgSupport the Show.Music ...
Re: School Board Community Engagement Work Session, March 13, 2024 See our Show Notes.Contact us at hello@seattlehallpass.org.Christie & Jane review and discuss major points from the March 13 community engagement work session. Topics covered:The 2024 Strategic Plan, Part 2 of Well-Resourced Schools Ongoing community engagementThanks to AJ Crabill for permission to use clips from his audiobook, Great on Their Behalf.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo...
Show NotesContact us: hello@seattlehallpass.orgChristie & Jane cover the Seattle School Board budget work session from March 20, 2024, where the Superintendent’s team outlined $111 million in budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year. School consolidations, bell times, and other changes for the 2025-26 school year will be previewed at the May 8 meeting.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
See our Show NotesEmail hello@seattlehallpass.org with questions, comments, or corrections.Christie and Jane talk with Chetan Soni, an 18-year-old student and activist who has been a strong advocate for youth voice. We discuss mental health, gun violence, climate concerns, college and career readiness, and more.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
See our Show Notes. Send errata and other notes to hello@seattlehallpass.orgAt the March 13 Special School Board meeting, the 5 sitting directors narrowed down the finalists for Districts 2 and 4. The finalists will participate at a forum at Lincoln High School in Wallingford on March 27, start time TBD.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
See our Show Notes for references.Email hello@seattlehallpass.org with suggestions or corrections.Christie and Jane cover the major topics of the March 6, 2024 school board meeting, including: 1) passionate public testimony about school funding allocations and difficulties at Rainier View Elementary 2) a work session in preparation for the March 13 special meeting to select the finalists for the School Board Director positions.3) a State Auditor's Office audit "entrance meeting" Support ...
See our Show Notes.Send errata and other notes to hello@seattlehallpass.orgIn Episode 28 of Seattle Hall Pass, Christie and Jane talk about the 15 applicants vying for two vacant seats on the seven-person Seattle School Board. Christie and Jane also share audio statements from 12 of the 15 applicants, so listeners can hear from them directly.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
See our Show Notes.Send errata and other notes to hello@seattlehallpass.orgIn Episode 27 of Seattle Hall Pass, Christie and Jane talk to Seattle School Board Director Brandon Hersey about monitoring the progress of SPS students toward the goals of 3rd Grade Reading, 7th Grade Writing, and College and Career Readiness. We hope to have a Q&A session with Director Hersey in the future. Send a short voice memo or typed question to hello@seattlehallpass.org. Please include how you ...
Please see our Show Notes.Please send errata or other feedback to hello@seattlehallpass.orgChristie and Jane discuss the February 7, 2024 Seattle School Board meeting, focusing on the process to fill vacancies following the resignations of two board directors, district efforts related to Continuous School Improvement Plans, and an update on the legislative session.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
In Episode 25 of Seattle Hall Pass, Christie and Jane interview Lisa Rivera, who served on the board for four years before she resigned on January 30, 2024. Check out the Show Notes.Support the Show.Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.Sign up for our newsletter
In this Seattle Hall Pass episode, Christie and Jane interview Liza Rankin, discussing her roles as School Board President and Legislative Liaison. The conversation delves into legislative priorities, with President Rankin providing insights into the legislative process and the importance of community advocacy.CONTENT WARNING: There is NO discussion of board director resignations or vacancies in this episode, as it was recorded in early January, 2024. See our show notes for sources and much m...