smashanakali ([info]kaligrrrl) wrote in [info]seattle,
@ 2006-10-16 10:41:00
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Call for a day of solidarity against Seattle Public School Closures
Seattle School Closures Protest--Make no mistake: it has come to this.


Who : EVERYONE who cares about Seattle school children
What : A protest at the Board Meeting
When : This Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

after public testimony and break

Board meeting begins at 6pm, protest begins roughly 7:45
Where : Stanford Center

2445 Third Avenue S (at Lander)
Seattle, WA 98124-1165

Protest WILL BE PEACEFUL.


Bring signs, shirts, and sustenance.



(Post a new comment)


[info]ninaf
2006-10-16 05:44 pm UTC (link)
Why is it bad to close these schools if they aren't being used to the fullest?

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]feignedapathy
2006-10-16 05:51 pm UTC (link)
Because the parents are selfish and want to make sure that the school they were at are the school they stay at. Many of these same parents vote against measures to fund the school district, never participate in school meetings or district board meetings to help choose how funding is spent.

So, true to form, now they're going to bitch about it, as if that somehow helped before.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]blueroo, 2006-10-16 05:59 pm UTC

[info]damashita
2006-10-16 06:00 pm UTC (link)
i agree. If they don't have the student base (financial base) to support all the schools in the district, it is better to close some schools and funnel the money into better used functions. Instead of paying for heat, insurance, electricity, etc. in a school that isn't used to capacity, better to close the school, save some money, and use the difference in overhead to bring/move teachers to other locations.

But the thing is, no one wants THEIR school closed. They don't want to have to make any sacrifices to continue (to make) to keep the school system fiscally safe. They would rather say NIMBY and screw the system for the next few decades. They don't want taxes raised ... they don't want schools closed ... they don't want services limited. You can't have it all. You want all the schools open that we have now? You want to be able to have your student attend ANY school in the district (and the accompanying transportation issues and costs)? Then fork over the money and expect your taxes to go up. You don't want to spend any more money... then you have to be willing to give up some of the services... so your child has to be bussed out of the neighborhood... heck, people do that by choice every day.

By closing a few schools the overhead for non-education related expenses (meaning taxes, insurance, building maintance, landscaping, heat, water, electricity) goes down significantly... and money can be saved for things that are directly education related (meaning teachers, books, supplies, etc.).

Or you can say that you don't trust the school system at all, and take your kids out. Put them in private school (want to talk expensive and the need to commute???). Homeschool your children (we do this and let me tell you it isn't cheap and it takes a lot of commitment - and we still pay taxes for your publically schooled children). You get a lot for your money... this is a way you can get more. And ensure that there will be a financially solvent school district when your kids' kids are in school. Or, depening upon their ages, maybe when your kids are in Jr. High/High School.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]damashita, 2006-10-16 07:13 pm UTC

[info]gomezticator
2006-10-17 12:37 am UTC (link)
This is what I'm wondering.

Maybe they'd be used more fully if parents didn't get to cherry-pick what school their child goes to.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]kraex
2006-10-16 06:03 pm UTC (link)
Who : EVERYONE who cares about Seattle school children

Srsly? Ohmigod, if I don't protest I don't care about ze childrens!!

Why would I be protesting again?

Better question: Will there be Punch and Pie?

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]damashita
2006-10-16 06:10 pm UTC (link)
Pie!?! Yum! Pie!

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]cambler
2006-10-16 06:12 pm UTC (link)
I don't give a rat's ass.

My kids go to private school, where I get what I pay for.

And yes, I'm tired of my taxes going to pay for other people's kids to go to school. Let 'em help pay for mine, too, without holding a gun to my head and saying, "if you want us to pay for your kids, you have to send them to sub-standard schools that no amount of involvement will help."

"Rat's ass" isn't strong enough, actually. I think fuck 'em is more apropos.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]ninaf
2006-10-16 06:15 pm UTC (link)
snobby, aren't you.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:16 pm UTC

[info]feignedapathy
2006-10-16 06:18 pm UTC (link)
Yet another who is part of the problem, offering nothing for a solution.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:29 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kraex, 2006-10-16 06:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kraex, 2006-10-16 06:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kraex, 2006-10-16 06:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]schmuckythecat, 2006-10-16 08:00 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 08:16 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]schmuckythecat, 2006-10-16 08:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 08:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]schmuckythecat, 2006-10-16 09:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 09:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 09:55 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 09:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 10:14 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 10:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 10:25 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 10:32 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 11:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]schmuckythecat, 2006-10-16 09:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 10:06 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]xopherg, 2006-10-16 10:14 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]julia_here, 2006-10-17 02:00 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 02:52 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]caracola, 2006-10-17 02:33 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kraex, 2006-10-16 06:50 pm UTC
feignedapathy... - [info]homaffectional, 2006-10-21 09:49 pm UTC
Plus... I bet the majority of these fucked up, elitist kids that grow up spoiled rich, whether in... - [info]homaffectional, 2006-10-21 09:53 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]feignedapathy, 2006-10-16 06:40 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]feignedapathy, 2006-10-16 06:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 10:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]feignedapathy, 2006-10-16 06:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:44 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 06:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]maudelynn, 2006-10-16 07:17 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]wyntermoonwolf, 2006-10-16 07:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]nartweag, 2006-10-16 08:09 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ninaf, 2006-10-16 08:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 02:54 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]ninaf, 2006-10-17 03:10 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 03:13 am UTC
Please... relegate enough time... - [info]homaffectional, 2006-10-21 09:55 pm UTC
I agree... - [info]homaffectional, 2006-10-21 09:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 10:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]nartweag, 2006-10-16 11:16 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 02:55 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]nartweag, 2006-10-17 03:51 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]akbar56, 2006-10-17 07:10 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]nartweag, 2006-10-17 08:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 07:53 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 08:09 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 08:17 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 08:27 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 08:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 08:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 09:05 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 09:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 09:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 09:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 09:53 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 09:57 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 10:10 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 10:18 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 10:25 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-16 11:18 pm UTC
IT'S SWEEPS WEEK! - [info]dustin_00, 2006-10-17 01:06 am UTC
Re: IT'S SWEEPS WEEK! - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 01:08 am UTC
End the entitlement! - [info]dustin_00, 2006-10-17 01:02 am UTC

[info]divinus
2006-10-17 09:17 am UTC (link)

I'm sure pedestrians are tired of taxes going towards roads, misanthropes of taxes going towards social services, bookworms of taxes going towards sports, Spokanites of taxes going towards Seattle mass transit, doves of taxes going towards war efforts, etc.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-17 02:35 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]divinus, 2006-10-18 08:29 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]cambler, 2006-10-18 02:29 pm UTC
With all due respect... - [info]homaffectional, 2006-10-21 10:01 pm UTC
Re: With all due respect... - [info]cambler, 2006-10-21 10:11 pm UTC

[info]raevnos
2006-10-16 06:15 pm UTC (link)
Falling enrollments, increasing operating costs, citizens not willing to pay higher taxes... of course schools are going to be closed and programs consolidated and any other money-saving changes will be happening.

The situation they have now, bussing kids from one end of the city to the other just because their parents want them to go to one specific school is ridiculous. If the parents want their kids to go to some school that's not the closest, they should be responsible for the transportation. And if they put half the energy into helping out with the local schools and taking a bigger role in their kid's education that they do now then they put into into these silly protests, the school district would be in hugely better shape.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]littlelou
2006-10-16 06:23 pm UTC (link)
I completely agree with you. When I was a kid, I never went to the school that I was supposed to go to according to my address. However, the school district would never dream of picking up the gas tab to haul me there and back. We made sacrifices so I could go to a better school. It was our responsibility, not the school district's. I don't understand why the SPSD doesn't understand that.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

I *DEFINITELY* agree with this statement you made...
[info]homaffectional
2006-10-21 10:02 pm UTC (link)
"If the parents want their kids to go to some school that's not the closest, they should be responsible for the transportation."

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]tanukisuit
2006-10-16 06:19 pm UTC (link)
I'm amazed that Seattle has so many schools to begin with. The school district should sell the good properties and build one huge super school for everyone to attend.

(Reply to this)


[info]littlelou
2006-10-16 06:20 pm UTC (link)
Closing schools means increased class sizes. Keeping them open means extra costs.

Seattle schools are fucked either way, really.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]kriostoir
2006-10-16 06:28 pm UTC (link)
yeah, but by cutting back on the costs, the school districts can use that extra money to make sure programs such as music and other extra-curricular activities be saved, which isn't happening in many other places in the country.

VH1 -- We need you!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]littlelou, 2006-10-16 06:32 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]picturepack, 2006-10-16 09:04 pm UTC
I think...
[info]homaffectional
2006-10-21 10:04 pm UTC (link)
a compromise should be sought by reducing the number of schools slated to be closed...

If currently 8 schools... close four, keep four open.

If 5... close three, keep two open.

You get the idea (I feel safe in assuming, I think...)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]journeyto
2006-10-16 06:25 pm UTC (link)
This is such complete bullshit. I worked in the public school system for years, especially in those schools in the inner city of Seattle. Parents expect the teachers to be everything and do everything and could basically, give a shit about coming to school conferences or even helping out in the class room - and most of the families I worked with were on welfare and the moms weren't doing anything but watching TV.

If you want to "protest" then go for it. This initiative is to move resources into improving the few schools that actually have a chance at working. If you're so concerned, then why don't you start a fund raising campaign to raise the funds needed instead of sitting around with a bunch of signs doing nothing.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]kraex
2006-10-16 06:37 pm UTC (link)
What exactly would you like the parents to do? Come in and substitute teach now and then? While I can sympathize with your desire that these parents become more active in their children's educations, I don't believe that the fact they're watching Jerry Springer, as opposed to reading Sartre, is hugely affecting the school's bottom line.

I absolutely agree that this "protest" is rubbish and deserves to be mocked. But I fail to see how your inclusion of "zomg welfare moms are to blame" is contributing to anything but fanning flames.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]journeyto, 2006-10-16 06:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]rimrunner, 2006-10-16 08:05 pm UTC

[info]wyntermoonwolf
2006-10-16 07:17 pm UTC (link)
I like mac-n-cheese.

(Reply to this)


[info]crankygirlie
2006-10-16 07:25 pm UTC (link)
What someone SHOULD be protesting is Washington state's failure to uphold Washington's constitution ensuring that schools get "ample provision for the education of all children residing within [Washington state] borders."

Schools closing, having insufficient funding for all subjects, unreasonably large class sizes and the like does not indicate "ample" funding! It's completely unacceptable that Seattle continues to tax itself to pay for education when it is simply to fill the gaps in the state funding that is mandated by the state's constitution!

If you want to protest something, please protest that. Seattle's public schools are in big trouble and the state is turning a blind eye to its responsibility.

(Reply to this)


[info]iluvrhinestones
2006-10-16 07:40 pm UTC (link)
Wouldn't a check be more helpful than a protest? I mean, if they're closing schools because they can't fund them all...

We've been telling schools for years that they need to tighten their belts and do more with less, and that's bullshit. If you care about "the children", start knocking on doors and talking to your rich neighbors about how cool it would be if they had a library named after them.

(Reply to this)


[info]kowboy
2006-10-16 08:00 pm UTC (link)
I wouldn't mind the school closures so much if it was equitable.

But they're not.

Can some one please explain to me why the dividing line between "North" and "South" areas is at I-90? The school board created areas roughly twice the geographic size of the others and then used the fact more people were projected to live there in the future as justification for fewer closures.

Nice.

Nope, there's no racism in this town.

We're all brilliant snowflakes.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]arrogantb
2006-10-16 09:40 pm UTC (link)
that is unless you consider socio-economics, school size or test scores...

I also think it may be realistic that there will be greater growth up north.

places like ballard / greenwood are experiencing a significant increase in density as large numbers of condos go in.

or it could be all those right-wing racists on the school boards...

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]kowboy, 2006-10-16 09:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ninaf, 2006-10-16 11:27 pm UTC

[info]docjeff
2006-10-16 08:33 pm UTC (link)
Who cares about Seattle school children? I mean seriously - they're not being properly educated anymore so why bother wasting time on schools at all?

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]ermac
2006-10-16 08:42 pm UTC (link)
we should go protest the SCHOOLS!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]docjeff, 2006-10-16 08:55 pm UTC

[info]iheartretards
2006-10-16 10:55 pm UTC (link)
what we need is a violent uprising.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Hail a new idea
[info]mcfnord
2006-10-17 12:42 am UTC (link)
Democracy had a good run, but I'm ready for a change.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - [info]disjointedsmurf, 2006-10-17 02:09 am UTC

[info]gomezticator
2006-10-17 12:39 am UTC (link)
The city should offer to keep the schools open, in exchange for implementing zoning and sending kids to the schools IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. And if the parents don't like it, TOUGH.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]dustin_00
2006-10-17 01:05 am UTC (link)
Dude, you've only been in this group a year, and wow, it's real obvious how much it aged you!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]gomezticator, 2006-10-17 01:39 am UTC

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