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Important Dates
Jan 27: Community Information Session on proposed Transportation Plan at Aki Kurose MS
Jan 29: City Hall Open House
Feb. 3: Community Information Session on proposed Transportation Plan at Hamilton International MS
Feb. 5: WA PTA Region 6 Training
Feb. 7: Next General SCPTSA Meeting: Monday, Feb. 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Feb. 8: Community Information Session on proposed Transportation Plan at Chief Sealth International HS
Feb. 10: Town Hall meeting on SPS
Feb. 16: School Board votes on Transportation Plan
Feb. 21: WSPTA Focus Day in Olympia. Join us on the steps of the Capitol. More details to follow.
/http://www.seattlecouncilptsa.org/
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Dear Seattle PTA and PTSA Members,
As you may know, the district is proposing a new Transportation Plan for 2011-12. This change is driven both by the budget shortfall and the State's change to the Transportation Funding Formula next year. Some elementary and K-8 students may lose district transportation as a result. The School Board has pushed back the vote for the proposed Transportation Plan to February 16. The district is adding two more Community Information Sessions about the proposed Transportation Plan.
Concerned about how the state budget shortfall will impact SPS? Tell your legislators! Click here to find your state legislator (under the tab "Find Your District.")
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Seattle Council PTSA meeting on February 7.
Sincerely,
Lauren McGuire
Acting President, Seattle Council PTSA
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Updates on the Transportation Plan Process
The School Board has pushed back the vote for the proposed Transportation Plan to February 16.
Additional Community Meetings
Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6:30-8 p.m.
at Hamilton International Middle School, 1610 N. 41st
Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 6:30-8 p.m.
at Chief Sealth High School, 2600 SW Thistle
As previously announced, SPS will also have a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Aki Kurose Middle School, 3928 S. Graham St.
Transportation Zone Maps
SPS will soon post maps for attendance area elementary and K-8 Transportation Zones. The district is trying to create intermediary transportation boundaries that serve the greatest number of students.
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/transportation/zones/main.html
Questions or comments about the proposed Transportation Plan? Contact: transportationzones@seattleschools.org
Public Testimony Before the School Board
Opportunities to comment during public testimony are available at the February 2nd and 16th board meetings. For information about signing up for public testimony, visit the School Board website at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/publictestimony.pdf. |
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The district is proposing changes to the transportation plan for 2011-12. While the plan will save $4M, some elementary and K-8 students currently receiving transportation this year might not next year. District leaders are working to provide intermediary bus options for impacted students for the next two years. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the plan Wed, Feb 16. Given the state budget shortfall, the district is looking for ways to cut costs to minimize impact on the classroom. The proposed changes to transportation will remove 80 buses from the roads and decrease the bus ride time for attendance area schools to 25 minutes or less.
Middle schools, high schools and option schools will retain current grandfathering of transportation. Transportation will continue for English Language Learners (ELL), Special Education, Spectrum and APP students, as well.
New Transportation Zones will be created for attendance area elementary and attendance area K-8 schools. Children within the transportation zone and outside of walk zones will be eligible for district provided transportation.
-- Transportation Zones will include the entire attendance area of a school.
-- Transportation Zones will extend to areas within a 1.25 mile radius from the school and within the middle school service area. -- Walk zones to schools will still apply.
Intermediary options for those students outside of their school's Transportation Zone include the following for 2011-13:
1. Students who live within a half of a mile from the Transportation Zone boundary could walk to a bus stop within the zone. Seats will be allocated on a space available basis.
2. A shuttle system will be created so students can catch a bus at one school and take it to another.
In addition to the new zones, some schools' bell times would change. Some high schools and middle schools will start 10 minutes earlier; some elementary schools will start five minutes later.
Questions or comments? Contact: transportationzones@seattleschools.org
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Reminder: SCPTSA General Meeting: Mon., Feb. 7
School Budget Nuts and Bolts
John Stanford Center Auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Join us at our next Seattle Council PTSA General Meeting where we will discuss the nuts and bolts of school budget allocations. While individual school budgets will likely not be ready until after the meeting, this is a great opportunity for PTSA Presidents, Treasurers, PTA Budget Committee members and BLT (Building Leadership Team) reps to learn how SPS allocates funds to schools. Been through school budgets lots of times before? Come share your experiences with PTSA leaders who are new to the process.
SCPTSA Board member Andrea Baumgarten will facilitate this discussion. District officials will be there to help answer your questions.
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Reminder: City Hall Open House: Saturday, Jan. 29
The City Council and Mayor Mike McGinn, along with departments across city government, are hosting a City Hall open house to take place Saturday January 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mayor McGinn will highlight 2011 plans for his Engage Seattle initiative and the Cities of Service plan. Staff and volunteers will also conduct tours of the Mayor's Office. This will be a family friendly event. See the SCPTSA website for details. www.seattlecouncilptsa.org
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