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DECEMBER 4, 2024
www.QueenAnneNews.com
VOL. 105, NO. 49
& QueenAnne&Magnolia news
Tax levies, not school closures, may be used to close Seattle Schools budget gap
QueenAnne
Magnolia news By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
COURTESY
Summit Atlas ninth grader Beni Zundel participated in a two-week long Teaching Assistant role.
Seattle school program leads the way for America’s future educators By Lauren Rosenthal Submitted
During a cloudy day in West Seattle, Summit Atlas ninth grader Beni Zundel passed out lollipops to sixth graders engaging in a lesson about matter and light. Only three years their senior, Zundel thrives in her two-week long Teaching Assistant role, mentoring the children in science and ensuring that their work was not only satisfactory but successful. This short-term role turned into a weekly opportunity for Zundel, furthering her interest in pursuing education. At Summit Atlas, a Seattle charter public school, a unique program known as "Expeditions" empowers students to explore their passions and develop essential skills. This program allows students to engage in local partnerships, giving them hands-on experience in various fields. For ninth graders, like Zundel, this opportunity is particularly significant, serving as a stepping stone
toward their future careers. “Expeditions offer our students the chance to explore a wide range of career fields through our personalized learning approach and academic model,” says Portia Reidel, Dean of Expeditions. “As a small high school, we can tailor these experiences to meet each student's needs, helping them discover their ‘Concrete Next Step.’ This is the very purpose of Expeditions: to allow students with specific interests to try out a potential career path before committing to a college program, graduate degree, or the lengthy and costly post-high school training often required for many professions.” Zundel, who joined Summit Atlas in seventh grade, chose to become a Teacher Assistant for her Expedition. "I always wanted to make a change in the world," she says. "I wish to be that person for young kids so I can support and help them through their struggles of growing up." By working closely with sixth graders, Zundel discovered not
only her passion for teaching but also the impact she can have on younger students. As a Teacher Assistant, Zundel’s responsibilities included supporting science teacher Ms. McCallum’s class and assisting students with their final projects. Zundel believes she made a positive impact, as students often turned to her when they were unsure about what to do. She also emphasized the importance of setting boundaries, managing to maintain respect in the classroom while still allowing for an enjoyable atmosphere. “Beni’s sense of responsibility has amplified since she first stepped foot into my classroom,” says Ms. McCallum. “Beni is beginning to grasp the leadership aspect of teaching, taking the lead in guiding students through their Do Now activities at the start of class. While it’s one thing to be a student who loves school and academics, it’s another to
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones is officially withdrawing his proposed plan to close elementary schools and is exploring increased levies to fill a lingering budget gap. Jones wrote a letter to parents on Monday announcing that he was withdrawing his plan after determining there was “no longer a pathway for this approach for the 2025-26 school year.” Seattle Public Schools was initially considering closing 17 to 21 schools to reduce a budget gap of approximately $100 million. Closing 21 schools would have saved the district about $30 million. Jones then lowered the number of schools set for closure down to four. The schools were: North Beach Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary, Stevens Elementary and Sanislo Elementary. However, on Nov. 19, Jones made a surprising announcement that he was considering pulling his preliminary recommendation after Seattle Public Schools parents, students, and school board members voiced frustrations over the plan. The four school closures would have saved the district $5.5 million out of the $100 million gap. “The projected $5.5 million savings from the proposed closures are significant,” Jones stated in his letter. “However, we agree that achieving these savings should not come at the cost of dividing our community.” The district will now consider levy renewal to secure long-term financial stability for the district. Seattle Public Schools is asking voters to renew two levies in the Feb. 11, 2025, election: The Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Building Excellence VI Capital Levy. The Educational Programs and Operations Levy has a current tax rate of 63 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. This means a median home worth $877,694 would pay $552 a year toward the levy. The Building Excellence VI Capital Levy’s rate is estimated to be somewhere between 79 cents to 93 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. This means that $877,694 home would pay a potential maximum of $816 a year toward the levy if passed by voters. Seattle Public Schools is also focusing on finding $40 million in state funding, which Jones previously said members of the Legislature have had productive discussions to secure that funding. Lastly, the Seattle Public Schools Board is looking at $30 million in internal savings.
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