Our group wants to personally thank each and every person that stepped up to the plate, both physically and financially, when proposing to close Woodin was announced on February 12th. Although the Northshore School District stopped the closing of Woodin, they STILL need to balance their budget for this year and the forthcoming years. To do this, they will need to continue to make cuts in their budget. We are committed to meet with the board and district to help solve this problem. We still need your help as when the start of the school year begins this September, we may hear of ANOTHER school closure and it could be YOURS.

The MOST important thing you can do is to remain ENGAGED on this issue.  It won't go away without your help!  Another meeting is scheduled shortly after Spring break is over for parents to become informed on what is our next step.
 
Stay tuned and remain ENGAGED.

Gayle Hickey
SO(n)S - Save our (neighborhood!) Schools
Gaylehickey@windermere.com

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What's Going On?
The Northshore School District needs to save $3.4 million for the 2008-09 budget. It is also projected that they will need to cut 3 million in 2009-2010 and another one million in 2010-2011. In order to save $700,000 during the 2008-09 school year, the District has recommended closing Woodin Elementary and dispersing the affected students to Hollywood Hills and Wellington Elementary. To accommodate this change, the district is proposing redrawing school boundaries, which will impact approximately 800 students.

• Click here to view “Budget Reduction” FAQ’s on the NSD website

• What is NDS411.org About?
  Many of us believe a better solution must be proposed. A group called "Save Our Schools" was formed when the proposal was announced. Through this website, we hope to inform and engage parents within the Woodinville community on this issue, and challenge the district’s proposal to ensure it is created using concrete and objective criteria. We plan to help the community membersto partner with other schools in Woodinville to show community strength and dedication and commitment to our children’s education. We ALL need to urge the district to find an alternative solution that minimizes impact to the students and faculty throughout the Woodinville/Bothell area - and convince the Northshore School District to reconsider its proposal. We also hope to partner with the district to implement a new solution that addresses the budget issue in a positive way.

What can you do?
NSD board members are in a tough predicament. Although we trust that they have the best interests of our children (and some of their own!) in mind, they have been asked to create a solution based on an out-of-date and incomplete analysis. In an area where a high-density population boom is imminent, these board members need our support and input. How can you help? Join up with SOS (Save Our Schools)! Just get in touch with one of the members to see how even 5-10 minutes of your time can translate into positive results. We can offer you simple ways to contribute - contact info@nsd411.org.

Contact your WA State Legislators with the info in this document: Word Document | PDF (80kb) | Get Acrobat Reader

We are needing donations to stop the dismantling of our neighborhood schools. The funds will be used to help open the channels of communication that seems blocked between the district, school board and Northshore parents. We wish to seek a resolution and want to work together with the board & district in solving this situation. The funds will be used for advertising, public relations and attorney fees. Legal action will be taken only when necessary.

Please donate TODAY.
You can do it in three convenient ways:

1. Paypal (see below)
2. Mail - P.O. Box 2749, Woodinville, WA 98072 (make checks out to: "S.O.N.S." or Save our Neighborhood Schools)
3. In Person, to those you know that are helping to steer this organization.

Any questions, please contact Gayle Hickey at 425-485-2155 or email at Gaylehickey@windermere.com for details regarding donations or other inquiries.

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stay tuned...

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• 4/22 Northshore School Board Meeting : Word Document | PDF (88kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 4/4 Public Input Process : Word Document | PDF (32kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/31 Public Input Process : Word Document | PDF (36kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/31 All Fools Day Parade summary: Word Document | PDF (36kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/25 Northshore School Board Meeting: Word Document | PDF (58kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/18 City Council Meeting: Word Document | PDF (36kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/11 Northshore School Board Meeting: Word Document | PDF (54kb) |Get Acrobat Reader
• 3/5 Budget Reduction Meeting: Word Document | PDF (30kb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• On YouTube - link
• 2/26 Northshore School Board Meeting: Word Document | PDF (1.51 mb) | Get Acrobat Reader
• 2/15 S.O.S. initial meeting: Word Document | PDF (54kb) | Get Acrobat Reader

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On the issue of our State Government:

Are you interested in following the work of the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance, whose job is to change how we fund K-12 education in the state of Washington?  We'd love to share with you what we have learned from attending their latest meeting and exchanging email with Task Force members.

Contact Kirsten Taniguchi - Kirstenw@taniguchi.com to be added to an email distribution list.

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Question:
If we raised the $700 000, would you keep Woodin open?

Answer: It has to be sustainable income, so the amount needs to be given early, not just a one time shot.  

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...Why can't you just move in some portables to ease the overcrowding at schools and keep all students at their neighborhood school?

More portables mean more students. While the portables can serve nicely as a classroom, particularly for 4th-6th grades, the school's common facilities cannot accommodate many more students. These common facilities serve the entire school population and include the library, playgrounds, and bathrooms.

Having more students housed in portables could mean that two classrooms of students would need to be in the library or gym at one time. This is not a good learning situation. Too many children coming and going at the same time or out for recess at the same time, could create a situation in which they can't be safely supervised. Offering additional recesses to reduce the number of children on the playground breaks up the continuity of the learning process in the classroom.

When considering the addition of portables the school must also consider staffing, such as librarians to serve all the additional students housed in portables and playground supervisors to watch the expanded number of students. Other considerations include the land availability on which to put a portable, additional parking needs, and if the portable restricts the movement of people and vehicles at the school. In addition, many times the portables will take up playground space from an already crowded playground.

The portables don't usually have water supplies so eating lunch in the room or conducting art, science or other potentially 'messy' activities requires more time in the clean up - again, cutting into instructional time. (8/18/05).
Check the NSD website.

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• - Northshore Education Association blog
• - Julie Sparks photo show of the Peaceful protest
• - 3/5 Budget Reduction Meeting - On YouTube - link

IN THE NEWS -
www.king5.com - video
www.komotv.com - "The Schrammie: Hard to stretch $100k salaries" more
www.seattletimes.com - "Northshore administrators enjoy perks" more
www.seattletimes.com - "Parents battling school closure" more.

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