Showing posts with label school board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school board. Show all posts

With dwindling enrollment and budget shortfalls, a new Task Force studies elementary school closure

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Assistant Superintendent Brian Shultz gets into the data (literally) with the Capacity and Closure task force at a recent Tuesday night meeting. Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

At its peak in 1959, Shoreline High School enrolled 1,900 students; but, due to dwindling enrollment and budget shortfalls the home of the Spartans was shut down in 1986.

On a recent Tuesday night, more than twenty parents, members of the community and school district staff gathered in the former school building to take on the difficult and possibly painful task of identifying which elementary school the district might close in 2025.

Once home to three high schools, five junior highs and nineteen elementary schools with nearly 18,000 students at its peak, the Shoreline School District has shrunk to just over 9000 students and is once again facing budget shortfalls. 

Shoreline has a long history of closing schools dating back to the end of the baby boom more than fifty years ago. The last time Shoreline went through this painful process was in 2006 when the district shuttered North City Elementary and Sunset Elementary.

The district’s handling of the 2006 school closures led to controversy. But this time, the district is hoping increased transparency and community involvement will help avoid the kind of rancor that has been seen in other districts across the state that are closing schools as a result of declining enrollment.


The district has assembled a task force called the School Capacity Review and Closure Consideration (SCRCC) which met for the first time on Tuesday night, February 6, 2024. 

The task force is chartered only with the job of making a recommendation about which school to close and will meet monthly to study data before presenting a recommendation next fall to the school board. 

The final decision on whether to close a school and if so, which one, will be up to the elected School Board and Superintendent Dr. Susana Reyes. The board and superintendent are empowered to make decisions such as this entirely on their own without consulting the community. The closure decision and any new school boundaries should be finalized in time for Kindergarten open enrollment in January of 2025.

Thick binders filled with data were placed on the tables in front of each of the task force members and district employees presented detailed statistics at the Tuesday night meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Brian Schultz told the task force that prior to 2020 the district was considering reopening North City Elementary. However, by 2022, budget shortfalls caused the district to make sudden deep cuts that prompted an outpouring of emotions from staff and community last year. And budget cut negotiations in the Spring of 2023 led to distrust and acrimony.

School board policy requires the district to hold liquid savings of between 4-5% of budgeted expenses and is the district’s key indicator of financial health. 

A slide from a January 8 Budget Advisory Committee Meeting shows the Shoreline School District’s declining funds

According to data shared at the January 8 Budget Advisory Committee meeting, the unreserved fund has been in decline from nearly 18% for the 2015-16 school year to 1.4% for the 2023-24 budget. COVID relief funds during the 2020-21 school year temporarily buoyed the budget, but it became clear the budget was in crisis when the indicator fell to 2.6% for the 2021-22 year.

Also presented to the task force was a Demographer Report commissioned by the district. Although the population of King County is projected to continue to grow, the birth rate has been declining since 2016, according to that report. In Washington State, school funding is tied to enrollment and districts are limited in how much money they can raise in local levies.

The task force will also consider the physical condition of each of the aging buildings and could factor the costs of necessary future building upgrades into the decision.

Another factor the task force will be considering this time around that was not considered in previous closure decisions is race, equity and the impact a school closure has on families in the community. 

In comments at the December 5 School Board meeting, Shultz said, historically, school closures have disproportionately targeted the most impoverished communities with the greatest needs and families of color.

This time, the district plans to proactively engage with the community, not just members of the community that have the time and resources to sit on committees, by using affinity groups, community forums and surveys. The task force will be using a Race & Equity Impact Decision-Making Tool to interrupt biases and think more broadly about all the people in the community.

Parents and other members of the community are encouraged to get involved and stay informed. The Strategic Planning Coalition meets monthly to draft the district’s first strategic plan. The Budget Advisory Team (BAT) meets monthly and receives detailed presentations on the districts budget. Parents can join their school’s PTA. And the public can attend regular School Board Meetings.


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School board meeting Tuesday includes report on 2024 Enrollment and Nov-Dec 2023 Financial Update

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Shoreline Center 1st Ave NE Entrance

Tuesday January 30, 2024 School Board Regular Meeting, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Shoreline Center, Board Room (off the lobby, 1st Ave entrance)
18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting in person in the Board Room of the Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) and streamed via Zoom.

Reports and Presentations
  • First Reading: New Policy 6225, Use of Electronic Signature
  • January 2024 Enrollment and November and December 2023 Financial Update
  • 2024 Legislative Session Update
Meeting Agenda

https://app.eduportal.com/share/a7059532-bca2-11ee-a457-06c64aa3b8d4

Zoom Information
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Public Comment

If you would like to provide written public comment in advance of the regular board meeting, you can do so by 12:00pm on the day of the meeting, and it will be provided to the Board.

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Candidates for Shoreline School Board answer questions at public forum October 16, 2023

Thursday, October 19, 2023

School board candidates
Photo by Mike Remarcke

By Mike Remarcke

The Shoreline PTA Council, representing 15 PTA’s in the Shoreline School District, hosted a candidate forum for those running for the Shoreline School Board.

The event was held at the Shoreline Center on Monday night, October 16, 2023. The moderator was from the League of Women Voters, volunteers manned the timers and approximately 40 concerned citizens attended.

Candidates running for board positions participated in the forum.
  • District No. 1 Meghan Jernigan - Unopposed incumbent
  • District No. 5 Sara Betnel - Unopposed incumbent
  • District No. 4 Sylvia Gil versus Hazim Ghanim (open seat)

Mehgan Jernigan began by introducing herself as an active board member since 2019. As a Native American mother of two in the school system, she sees firsthand some of the gaps in opportunities. She believes we need diverse voices to unlock the district’s full potential and meet the educational needs of all our students. She is running unopposed.

Sara Betnel was also sworn in to office in 2019. Her goal is to listen, learn, and work to improve student experience, engagement, and outcomes in every Shoreline school. She is also unopposed.

Hazim Ghanim lives in Shoreline and has a daughter in the second grade. He believes in the power of a diverse and inclusive school environment. He believes he can infuse a fresh perspective into the board and elevate the voices of those who are underrepresented. He is an Engineering Manager at Boeing.

Silvia Gil stated that equity is very important in the school district and must not be overshadowed by budget issues causing disparities within the community. She also has a child in the school system, is a former teacher, and now is the Director of Integrated Programs, Community Health Plans of Washington.

Candidates responded to a set of predetermined questions as well as a few spontaneous questions from the audience. 

Note: We will focus on the District No.4 race between Hazim Ghanim and Silvia Gil, as the other two candidates are running unopposed.

QUESTION: What experience do you have which prepares you to be an effective leader that values equity and social justice?
  • HG- He is involved in the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) at the Boeing Co. which spearheads programs that promote these concepts.
  • SG – She is involved with the data gathering and analysis of programs that value the sense of belonging and equity and has roles in advocacy, strategy and leadership at CHPW.  
QUESTION: How do you see easing the issues of mental health in the school system?
  • All of the candidates agreed that this is an issue that needs to be closely monitored. It is an issue that teachers need training in spotting troubles, along with families, with ways to communicate with each other. More counselors are needed and more outside resources that can be called on. Once again, the issue of inclusion and having a healthy environment at the school level can reduce the issues of mental health. When kids feel accepted and safe, mental health issues can be held in check.
QUESTION: What is your view of the current budget challenges? Is increasing enrollment an option?
  • SG - She would like to learn and understand the budget process, learn and review the costs, understand the unintended consequences of cuts and do deep reviews at the end of each year.
  • HG – From his budgeting experience at work, he would deeply scrutinize the budget, review and fully fund the reserves, and make sure all monies from other sources, such as state and federal are received and utilized.
  • MJ and SB – They both fully understand the sources of funding and want to maximize potential and also find and maximize other sources to enhance income to the district. They both appreciate the Budget Advisory Team work on budget issues.
The question of increasing enrollment to get more state funds came up for discussion. 
  • The group agreed that there is no need to go recruiting more students, but to provide the best education and school experience for the students and that in itself will potentially draw other students into the district.
QUESTION: How would you deal with social issues such as bullying and physical/sexual violence?
  • Once again, all of the candidates were aware of and concerned with deviant behavior. All felt that teachers and staff need to be aware of the issues and trained on how to handle events, as with the counseling staff. Parents and the community in large had major roles in minimizing issues and events. Again, providing a safe environment is of utmost importance.
QUESTION: How do you intend to remain current?
  • The two incumbent board members had experience with this subject; the two vying for the position will learn this as they begin to participate on the board. 
  • There are resources in the school system itself including experts in the field. There are plenty of outside educational sources, association sources and agencies that can enhance a board member's understanding of a wide variety of subjects. (This reporter recently heard presentations by two Shoreline School District educators, one on multilingual learners, the other on literacy, at a seminar for the Power of One Volunteers. Both were excellent.)
QUESTION: How will you ensure that the board is accountable and open to the public?
  • First of all, the candidates all called for as much transparency and community involvement as possible. The four candidates discussed all the variety of communication options open to the public. 
  • There is a board website, and school websites. 
  • There is a highly regarded PTA organization at each of the schools. 
  • Board meetings are open to the public including the budget meetings and the Budget Advisory Team meetings. 
  • A weekly newsletter is open to the public by simply signing up. 
  • There are media outlets that report on school events, such as the Shoreline Area News.
QUESTIONS from the audience: Book banning? Free breakfasts? Edwin Pratt?
  • All of the candidates were totally against restriction of learning and diversity by banning books. The concept of banning learning tools is abhorrent. 
  • All the candidates would love to see free breakfasts and lunches, for they all know that good nutrition is most important for learning. The issue is funding. The school district has a couple of schools that have free lunch, but money is needed from the state and the feds.
  • Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center has been a godsend for parents over the years and all the candidates have used the after school care and gave it high marks. It looks like the operation may be turned over to an outside operation. This is an issue that is outside the realm of the schools and the school board and all they can do is support the decision of those that operate the after school center.
A video of the entire forum is posted online HERE

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Reminder: Shoreline School Board candidate forum Monday, October 16, 2023 at the Shoreline Center

Saturday, October 14, 2023

L-R Sara Betnel, Hazim Ghanim, Sylvia Gil, Meghan Jernigan Candidates for Shoreline School Board

Shoreline, WA – September 2023 – Shoreline PTA Council, which represents 15 PTAs at schools throughout the Shoreline School District, will host a Candidate Forum for candidates in the Shoreline School Board election. 

The forum will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 from 7pm to 9pm in the Shoreline Room at the north end of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

The following candidates have been invited to participate in the forum:
  • Sara Betnel
  • Hazim Ghanim
  • Sylvia Gil
  • Meghan Jernigan

We respectfully request the audience be seated and ready to begin at 7:00pm. The structured forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. 

Each set of candidates will be asked the same question. Some questions will be provided to candidates in advance based on input from the community. 

Questions will also be selected from audience members during the event. The forum will be recorded and shared through public posting following the event.

Hosting this Candidate Forum demonstrates Shoreline PTA Council’s commitment to the PTA mission of being a strong advocate for the health, safety, well-being and education of every child. The goal of the forum is to ensure that all voters can make informed choices in November.

The forum is free and community attendance is encouraged. However, distribution of campaign materials, including the carrying of signs, in the building by candidates, volunteers or members of the public is prohibited.

PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. 

Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information about Shoreline PTA Council, visit www.shorelinepta.org

North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) advocates for human services in North King County (NKC) on behalf of its residents and the agencies that serve them through the promotion of partnerships between communities and providers. For more information about North Urban Human Services Alliance, visit https://www.nuhsa.org


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Shoreline School Board Candidate Forum Monday October 16 - questions due by October 6

Thursday, October 5, 2023

School board candidates
l-r Sara Betnel. Hazim Ghanim, Sylvia Gil, Meghan Jernigan

Shoreline PTA Council, which represents 15 PTAs at schools throughout the Shoreline School District, will host a Candidate Forum for candidates in the Shoreline School Board election. 

The forum will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 from 7pm to 9pm in the Shoreline Room at Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

The following candidates have been invited to participate in the forum:

We respectfully request the audience be seated and ready to begin at 7:00pm. The structured forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. 

Each set of candidates will be asked the same question. Some questions will be provided to candidates in advance based on input from the community. 

To submit questions for consideration, fill out the online Google Form by 9pm Friday October 6th.

Questions will also be selected from audience members during the event. The forum will be recorded and shared through public posting following the event.

Hosting this Candidate Forum demonstrates Shoreline PTA Council commitment to the PTA mission of being a strong advocate for the health, safety, well-being and education of every child. The goal of the forum is to ensure that all voters can make informed choices in November.

The forum is free and community attendance is encouraged. However, distribution of campaign materials, including the carrying of signs, in the building by candidates, volunteers or members of the public is prohibited.

PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. 

Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. More information about Shoreline PTA Council here. 

North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) advocates for human services in North King County (NKC) on behalf of its residents and the agencies that serve them through the promotion of partnerships between communities and providers. Information about North Urban Human Services Alliance here

Shoreline PTA Council has created a landing page for the event with updates, links to candidate information, and the opportunity to submit your questions in advance.


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CORRECTION: Candidate forum for Shoreline School Board election on Monday October 16, 2023

Monday, September 25, 2023

L-R Sara Betnel, Hazim Ghanim, Sylvia Gil, Meghan Jernigan
Candidates for Shoreline School Board

Shoreline, WA – September 2023 – Shoreline PTA Council, which represents 15 PTAs at schools throughout the Shoreline School District, will host a Candidate Forum for candidates in the Shoreline School Board election. 

The forum will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 from 7pm to 9pm in the Shoreline Room at Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

The following candidates have been invited to participate in the forum:
  • Sara Betnel
  • Hazim Ghanim
  • Sylvia Gil
  • Meghan Jernigan

We respectfully request the audience be seated and ready to begin at 7:00pm. The structured forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. 

Each set of candidates will be asked the same question. Some questions will be provided to candidates in advance based on input from the community. 

To submit questions for consideration, please fill out the online Google Form by 9pm Friday October 6th: http://www.tinyurl.com/SSDForumQ 

Questions will also be selected from audience members during the event. Information about live streaming is forthcoming. The forum will be recorded and shared through public posting following the event.

Hosting this Candidate Forum demonstrates Shoreline PTA Council’s commitment to the PTA mission of being a strong advocate for the health, safety, well-being and education of every child. The goal of the forum is to ensure that all voters can make informed choices in November.

The forum is free and community attendance is encouraged. However, distribution of campaign materials, including the carrying of signs, in the building by candidates, volunteers or members of the public is prohibited.

PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. 

Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information about Shoreline PTA Council, visit www.shorelinepta.org

North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) advocates for human services in North King County (NKC) on behalf of its residents and the agencies that serve them through the promotion of partnerships between communities and providers. For more information about North Urban Human Services Alliance, visit https://www.nuhsa.org

CORRECTION: the original headline said October 1 instead of October 16. The story is correct.

ADDITION: Shoreline PTA Council has created a landing page for the event with updates, links to candidate information, and the opportunity to submit your questions in advance.




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Shorewood alums contest school board decision to change school mascot

Wednesday, August 2, 2023


"On October 5 2021, the Shoreline School Board voted over zoom, with little community input, to remove the Shorewood Thunderbird mascot.

"The vote was a hasty response to Washington State legislature HB 1356 banning the inappropriate use of Native American images as school mascots.

"The legislation clearly allows the appropriate use of Native American mascots and encourages school districts and schools to work together and learn from local Native tribes – just as Shorewood High School did when the Thunderbird was originally chosen as Shorewood’s mascot."

So begins a Change.org petition posted by Shorewood alum Anna Deliganis.

Her stated goal is to let the Shoreline School Board know that you "disagree with their decision and want them to thoughtfully and honestly engage with local Native American tribes, Shorewood students, alumni, and the broader Shorewood community."

She hopes to get enough signatures to get the school board to reconsider their decision. "Sign this petition and please pass it on to other Shorewood alumni and community members so we can send the message to the school board that we want the Thunderbird and want to work with and honor our local Indigenous American tribes."


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CORRECTION: Zack Stallings suspends campaign for school board and endorses Hazim Ghanim

Friday, July 28, 2023

Zack Stallings suspends campaign
for Shoreline School Board
Correction: All votes are counted and the top two advance to the General election, even if the candidate has withdrawn.

Announcement from Zachary Stallings

I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for School Board Director Position 4, and to endorse my wonderful and learned opponent Hazim Ghanim.

My only goal in running was to make Shoreline Schools the best district in the nation. An agonizing soul search and many sleepless nights has led me to the conclusion that I am not the best candidate to do this. My part is staying on the ground, in school, where I belong. 

Hazim Ghanim
Hazim has the vision, the knowledge, and the chutzpah to get things done on this board. I am so glad that Hazim has joined our community and cares enough to throw his hat in the ring for the board. I know that he will bring the fresh perspective this board so desperately needs.

To my supporters and voters, thank you so much for your confidence in me, it means the world. It is unfortunate that Washington State has a backwards electoral system where some votes are wasted. Let’s fight for a fairer voting system where all votes matter!

I am so glad to have talked with so many people with so many different opinions across this great community. I am delighted to know so many people here are in-tune with local politics. Thank you so much for the time that you gave to speak to me.

With Gratitude
Zachary Stallings


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Primary for Shoreline School Board Position #4

Monday, July 10, 2023

School board meeting where budget cuts were announced.
Photo by Tanner Phillips

By Diane Hettrick

There are three candidates for the open seat on the Shoreline School Board, which means this race will be in the August 2023 election.

The two candidates with the most number of votes will advance to the November election.

Voter pamphlets will be mailed out on Tuesday, ballots on Wednesday. Ballots must be returned by Election Day, August 1, 2023, either mailed in with the postmark of August 1 or before, or deposited in a drop box by 8pm (not one minute later!)

They have submitted statements which include responses to questions we submitted to them. Their statements can be viewed by clicking the embedded link in each name.

They are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.

Shoreline School District No. 412, Director District No. 4


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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Sylvia Gil

Sylvia Gil, School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Sylvia Gil

My name is Sylvia Gil and I am running for Shoreline School Board Director (District #4) to ensure all children in our District have access to high-quality education.

I am concerned that our current budget challenges, due to declining enrollment and state funding, will reduce critical support for students. 

While declining enrollment does not have a short-term solution, I think we can support efforts to ensure state funding covers the broad range of student needs. 

This is critical as the lack of funding can impact school budgets, reducing staff and programs that positively impact student experiences. 

Programs that support students should be retained, including family advocate staff that work with students and families to address critical needs.

As a Board member, I would value community engagement and support efforts to gather feedback and share information through school board meetings, forums, and direct conversations. 

I think it is important for the district to have a variety of opportunities for feedback to connect community considerations with policy and communications. Further, to align our priorities and increase transparency I would focus on developing a district strategic plan. A comprehensive plan would serve to guide and focus engagement on district-wide goals and needs.

In terms of my background, I have previous experience as a teacher, and have worked in health care administration and advocacy. Personally, I have lived in Shoreline for over 10 years, and I have a child in the district. I would bring a high level of commitment to serving on the Board to ensure that all children have high-quality education.



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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Zack Stallings

Zack Stallings,
School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Zack Stallings

My name is Zack Stallings. I am a Shoreline native and a graduate of the Shoreline School District. I am running for the Shoreline School Board.

Shoreline School’s current budget crisis was brought on by a myriad of problems, but the solution is not to cut positions and programs like Family Advocates and Credit Recovery. 

These and other programs bring in students from out-of-district and keep students from leaving the district. With the implosion of Seattle Schools we can not afford to miss this opportunity to bring more students in. 

The most important position to maintain is Family Advocates, not only because this provides the most baseline support for families in crisis, but also because Shoreline and Lake Forest Park taxpayers willingly gave up their hard-earned money on the promise this program would be expanded and fully funded. 

Shoreline and LFP residents understand that children experiencing hardships cannot learn, and children who cannot learn here will learn somewhere else. I will never vote for a budget which so drastically reduces programs that help disadvantaged students.

As an employee of the Shoreline School District I am intimately aware of how this budget will affect our most vulnerable students. What I am not acutely aware of is: how exactly did we end up here? I know the community at-large feels blindsided by this deficit, and I know parents feel like they were left out of the loop on the Reduced Educational Plan. 

Far too often decisions are decreed from the top without community involvement; the anger and desperation of parents at the meeting where the Reduced Educational Plan was approved was palpable. 

Many felt like this was their only chance to say something. I will find ways to proactively include the community’s feedback before we get to that point.

A vote for me means a vote against educational plans that target our most disadvantaged students. I will not endlessly pontificate about achieving equitable outcomes for students, I will achieve them.

Thank you for your time, and for your vote.


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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Hazim Ghanim

Hazim Ghanim,
School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Hazim Ghanim

  • Question: Funding is based on the student population. Considering that current conditions have resulted in reduced student numbers, do you think it’s possible to increase the student population in the short-term? What would be your suggestions to increase enrollment? 

While increasing the student population in the short-term may be challenging, it is achievable. To boost enrollment, I suggest implementing targeted outreach campaigns to highlight the unique strengths and opportunities our schools offer. 

We will need to collaborate with local community organizations, host open houses to attract potential students, and explore partnerships with nearby school districts. 

Offering specialized programs such as vocational training, arts programs, or STEM initiatives can attract students seeking unique educational opportunities. 

Adapting to changing educational needs, promoting a safe and inclusive environment, and enhancing extracurricular offerings are essential to attract new students and ensure their long-term success.

  • Question: What is your understanding of and experience with school budgets? 

With my experience as the treasurer of our school’s PTSA, I have developed a strong understanding of school budgets. In my role, I have been intimately involved in reviewing and creating the annual budget. I have also taken responsibility for closely monitoring and comprehending the cash flow. 

In my professional experience as a manager, I have gained experience in maintaining and proposing budgets for my team, navigating the fluctuations and changes that come with it. This firsthand involvement has provided me with practical knowledge of budgeting processes and the significance of financial management in both educational and professional contexts.

  • Question: If programs need to be reduced or cut, what are your priorities for programs to retain? Be as specific as possible. 

When faced with program reductions or cuts, my priorities for retention would be core academic programs, special education and support services, advanced placement and honors courses, career and technical education programs, extracurricular activities promoting student engagement, and social-emotional learning initiatives, including mental health support. These programs ensure a well-rounded education, address diverse student needs, and foster academic, social, and emotional growth.

  • Question: How would you as a member of the Board best share information with the community? 

As a board member I would leverage utilizing an array of communication channels. This includes regular updates and newsletters, community meetings, social media platforms, and the district website. 

Additionally, I would establish open lines of communication with PTA leadership across our community, collaborating closely with them to disseminate important information to parents and engage in two-way communication. By creating a network of communication, we can ensure transparent and timely sharing of information with the community, fostering trust and active involvement.

  • Question: How important is gathering information and feedback from the community? Why? And how would you go about that? 

Gathering information and feedback from the community is one of the most critical aspects of serving as a school board member. It is essential because the board's purpose is to represent and address the needs and desires of the community. By actively seeking input, we can ensure that decisions align with community expectations, enhancing transparency and accountability.

To gather community information and feedback, there are several approaches. This includes hosting regular town hall meetings where community members can voice their concerns and ideas. 

Establishing open lines of communication through surveys, online platforms, and dedicated email addresses to facilitate ongoing feedback. Collaborating closely with PTAs and other community organizations would also be valuable, as they can serve as conduits for collecting input and disseminating information. 

By actively engaging with the community through these channels, I would ensure that their voices are heard, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to decision-making.


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Elections this fall for three school board positions

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

School board members must live in their district

Elections for Shoreline School Board District Directors will be held this fall for positions in Districts 1, 4 and 5. 

The filing deadline for candidates is May 15-19, 2023. Interested candidates must be registered voters residing in those respective district boundaries. 

The Shoreline School Board is a local board, established by the Washington State Legislature. Although each of the five members comes from a different geographical area in the district, all board members are elected by all Shoreline voters. Board members serve a four-year term.




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Shoreline School Board hybrid meeting Wednesday January 10, 2023

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:00pm. 

The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Board Room, Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) (center of the building) and streamed via Zoom.

  • Presentation:First Reading: District Instructional Materials Committee (DIMC) 
    • Recommendations 
  • Action Items:Adoption of Revisions to Policy and Procedure 1120/1120P, Annual Organizational Meeting
  • Adoption of Revisions to Policy 1230, Legislative Representative

If you would like to provide written public comment for the Regular Board Meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 10,  and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to attend via Zoom:
https://ssd412-org.zoom.us/j/89474052013?pwd=WVRNYlVZQkxNQk4rQ2JjeitsdTNLUT09
Webinar ID: 894 7405 2013
Passcode: 009741
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Meeting agenda



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School Board Study Session and Meeting Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Sunday, November 13, 2022

 

School Board Study Session and Meeting 
Tuesday, November 15

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Study Session on Tuesday, November 15, at 4:00pm. The public may watch a live-streamed session in the Board Room, Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) or via Zoom.

Topic:Budget Update
Link to attend via Zoom:
https://ssd412-org.zoom.us/j/88168092863?pwd=S0d0SVUyYmV2TUVKdjBsaDBJMWRtdz09
Webinar ID: 881 6809 2863
Passcode: 870028
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Find the Study Session agenda here on Monday

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 15, at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Board Room, Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) and streamed via Zoom.

Presentation:
First Reading: 2022-2023 School Improvement PlansAction item:
Adoption of New Policy 4218, Language Access

If you would like to provide written public comment for the Regular Board Meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15, and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to attend via Zoom:
https://ssd412-org.zoom.us/j/87845578994?pwd=b0MzQjZrUVV4S3NFUUFxc1AyRENzZz09
Webinar ID: 878 4557 8994
Passcode: 014188
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Find the meeting agenda here



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School Board meetings September 13

Friday, September 9, 2022

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 6:00pm. The meeting will only be streamed via Zoom.
  • Special meeting action item:Approval of Personnel

A School Board Study Session will be held on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:05pm. The meeting will only be streamed via Zoom.

Study session topics:
  • General Assembly (Legislative) Position Proposals - Review and Feedback
  • Legislative Key Funding Requests

Link to join Special Board Meeting via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81657680587?pwd=aEpIZ3hKRDhURVpTYUJ6NFY3UlluZz09
Webinar ID: 816 5768 0587
Passcode: 336305
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Link to join Study Session via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82660635002?pwd=R1ZPNC9xeC9HaTEzeFd0c2R0THJuQT09
Webinar ID: 826 6063 5002
Passcode: 906144
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Agendas will be available at this link



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School board meeting Tuesday at 6pm in person and on Zoom

Monday, August 22, 2022

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 6:00pm. 

The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Board Room, in the middle of the Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) and streamed via Zoom.

Action item:
  • Public Hearing and Adoption of 2022-2023 Budget
If you would like to provide written public comment for the Regular Board Meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 23, and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to join board meeting via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87914760664?pwd=TG9Qc2ZPeC9HUDRYV0U0aHZKSlpMdz09
Webinar ID: 879 1476 0664
Passcode: 067030
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

August 23rd agenda


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School Board meeting Tuesday - virtual and in-person

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Shoreline School Board, Superintendent, and Finance Staff

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 6:00pm. 

The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Board Room, Shoreline Center 18560 1st Ave. NE and streamed via Zoom.

Board meeting presentations:
  • First Reading: K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Plan
  • 2022-2023 Preliminary Budget Update – General Fund
  • June 2022 Financials Update
Action item:
  • Adoption of Revisions to Policy 2161, Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

If you would like to provide written public comment for the Regular Board Meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to join board meeting via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89112588932?pwd=SWNqbGlkT0xLZXg0bkJMOXhNZHU3UT09
Webinar ID: 891 1258 8932
Passcode: 907047
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Link to meeting agenda



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School Board adopts new District Director maps

Monday, June 27, 2022

2022 School Board District Director map

At its May 24, 2022 meeting the Shoreline School Board adopted a new District Director map.

District Directors, i.e. School Board members, are required to live in their district. However all residents within the school district boundaries (the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park) vote for all directors. 

The boundaries were adjusted meticulously to, as much as possible, put the same number of residents in each district, as well as attempting to distribute the elementary schools among the districts.

All school board members represent the interests of the entire school district.

Board members serve a four-year term.



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School board to review enrollment projects and budget at Tuesday meeting

Tuesday, June 21, 2022


School Board Meeting June 21

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 21, at 6:00pm. 

The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Shoreline Room, Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) and streamed via Zoom. The link to join by Zoom is below.

  • Presentations:2022-2023 Preliminary Budget: Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, Associated Student Body Fund, and Transportation Vehicle Fund
  • Status Report on the Development of the 2022-2023 General Fund Budget
  • May 2022 Financial Report and June 2022 Enrollment Update
If you would like to provide written public comment for the regular board meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, June 21, and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673797266?pwd=ZGdGeWZJMnNqK245TXo2UlhpelREZz09
Webinar ID: 836 7379 7266
Passcode: 410821
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

View the full agenda on this page




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