Kate Simkowiak

Advocacy

Budget information, legislative activities, WAETAG conferences, etc.

***Urgent! School Levy Advocacy Team Needed***

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Good Evening Everyone,

The Maintenance and Operations Levy is up for renewal in February. If this levy is not renewed, the district will have to cut $40 million (about a quarter of the district’s budget) out of its budget for 2010-2011 school year.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?:
* The current levy funds 24% of the school district’s budget.
* What specfically does it fund?
+ music programs
+ sports programs
+ after school programs
+ transportation (approx. $4 million)
+ special education (approx. $5 million)
+ teacher/staff compensation (above what the state funds)
+ teacher/staff professional development days (above what the state funds: the state only funds one day per year)

* If this levy is not renewed, the district will have to cut $40 million out of its budget for 2010-2011 school year.  It had to cut $11.5 million this school year.
* 70% of voters in our district boundaries do not have school aged children.
* The good news: This is a replacement levy.  No new taxes.  We only need a simple majority to pass the levy.

This levy does NOT increase anyones taxes, it just keeps them at the same level.

* We need to form a School Election Team (SET). This SET team will help spread the word about the importance of voting in favor of the levy.
* The training meeting for the SET will be THIS THURSDAY, OCT 8th, from 4:30-5:30 pm at the EEA office.

If you can attend the SET training or want more info, please contact Michelle Toshima (mtoshima@verizon.net).

Superindendent’s Roundtable – Wednesday, October 7th

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The second Superintendent’s Roundtable is tomorrow, from 12-1 at ESC Conference room, 20420 68th Avenue W, Lynnwood, 98036. Please come and support our gifted students by participating in these roundtable meetings. Now more than ever, it is important for us to advocate the needs of our students in the Edmonds School District. Bring your lunch and join in the conversation.

We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you.

CPA Board

Schedule for Superintendent’s visit with Parents

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Superintendent, Nick Brossoit, has created quarterly opportunities for parent groups to meet with him for district updates and question and discussion sessions regarding the impacts on school and student learning within the district and statewide. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Meeting Schedule: Parent Ldr mtg. schedule 09-10

Letter to parents from Nick Brossoit: parent group leader ltr 09-10

Message from the Coalition

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From The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education

The first Coalition meeting for the coming year is scheduled for October 1. Mark your calendar now. As last year, we will meet at the Renton School District Headquarters. We will be in Room 257 (upstairs) and will meet from 10 – noon. Note the change in time! We will be discussing our goals and tactics for the upcoming Legislative session; results of Coalition work groups; the PTA legislative proposal; the work of the Quality Education Council and the Funding Task Force.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ESHB 2261

The last Legislative session was an important one for advocates for gifted students as education reform legislation was passed and signed by the Governor. Under ESHB 2261, highly capable programs will become an integral part of basic education when implemented by the Legislature.

GIFTED EDUCATION DAY 2010

Gifted Education Day will be February 5, 2010 in Olympia. The Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction have been invited to attend. The theme for Gifted Ed Day 2010 is speedy implementation of our goals for education reform as outlined in our position paper on implementation.

Superintendent’s Roundtable – Wednesday, September 16th

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The first Superintendent’s Roundtable is on Wednesday, September 16th from 12-1 at ESC Conference room, 20420 68th Avenue W, Lynnwood, 98036. This is the meeting where participants decide on what topics will be discussed in future roundtables. It is vital that gifted education be one of the topics that is represented at these discussions.

Please come and support our gifted students by participating in these roundtable meetings. Now more than ever, it is important for us to advocate the needs of our students in the Edmonds School District.

We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you.

CPA Board

WAETAG 2009 Conference

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October 23-24, 2009
Embassy Suites, Lynnwood WA

Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG) is holding their 2009 Conference at Lynnwood WA.

Key Speakers are Dr. Bertie Kingmore and Ed Zaccaro. For more information and registration, please visit www.waetag.net.

A big thank you to the Edmonds School District in supporting our teachers to attend this valuable conference!