By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Over the next few weeks, Seattle Public Schools will be hosting a series of community meetings to develop a shared understanding of what programs, services resources, and learning experiences make up well-resourced schools.
Students, families, staff, and community partners are more than welcome to come join and participate in the discussions.
“In the coming years our districts are facing significant projected budget deficits,” says Dr. Brent Jones, Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. “This presents some serious challenges but also opportunities for improvements.”
In attendance to share their perspectives on the state of our school district, the affect of the proposed budget cuts and how the community as a whole will be affected are Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Dr. Brent Jones; Chief of Staff Bev Redmond; Deputy Superintendent of Academics, Dr. Art Jarvis; Associate Superintendent of Student and School Support, Dr. Rocky Torres and Chief Operations Officer, Fred Podesta.
During the meetings, senior leaders will share a presentation, respond to questions, and facilitate group discussion. The results will help guide future district planning.
“Our mission is to meet academic outcomes and sustain an inclusive and welcoming school community for our students,” Jones adds. “This has only grown in importance and urgency. Ensuring that our districts that we are accountable and responsible stewards of public funds is central to that work.”
SPS is working toward a goal of safe, equitable, and well-resourced schools that offer students the support, programs and resources, and the inspiration they need to succeed.
There will be five community meetings across the district and one virtual community meeting to connect with the SPS community to envision what it means to have a well-resourced school. The following is a set of dates, locations and times of the community and virtual meetings for all to participate:
• Tuesday, August 8, 6:00 p.m., Garfield High School commons/lunchroom, 400 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122.
• Thursday, August 10, 6:00 p.m., Madison Middle School commons/lunchroom, 3429 45th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116.
• Monday, August 14, 6:00 p.m., South Shore PreK-8 School rotunda/lunchroom, 4800 S Henderson St., Seattle, WA 98118
• Tuesday, August 15, 6:00 p.m., Nathan Hale High School commons/lunchroom, 10750 30th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125
• Thursday, August 17, 6:00 p.m., Robert Eagle Staff Middle School commons, 1330 N. 90th St., Seattle, WA 98103
• Tuesday, August 29, 5:30 p.m., Online: Teams Meeting
More information is available at www.seattleschools.org/news/well-resourced-schools-engagement/
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