If you have followed the proposed LWSD Levy election for next February, the three Kirkland directors (in the city and the annexation area) are expected to side with the administration at their Nov. 8 meeting: to have a levy to build new additions at the eastern new high schools, build a new choice high school in the east district, and start a STEM (science, technology, electronics, and math) program for a select few there. According to the superintendent report, 30 percent of the electorate, parents of students, predominately favored the proposed construction on the Eastside of the district, but this does not outweigh the reported 70 percent of the community electorate he reported that favors a less costly approach.
Left in the dusk is Juanita High School, because of a failed bond earlier this year to replace (not modernize Juanita High School buildings as the district stated). Built in the 1970’s and modernized in the 1980’s along with having temporary portables, JHS is destined to still not get needed permanent additions (with windows no less) and likely will not see a bond measure until 2014 (who knows if that will pass) to start a five-year construction process. Where is the equity in LWSD facilities? Even Lake Washington High School, that is now being replaced, had additions and modernization after the last work at JHS. In the meantime, the district maintains the JHS at a sub-par level, with an aging swimming pool that needs better maintenance to keep it in condition to operate and a parking lot that appears to never to have been resurfaced. Fortunately if you walk the halls of JHS compared to LWHS you will see a far better condition interior of the school of the oldest high school to remain, a national architectural award winner with high student performance.
Choice schools are great (with great academic results) if you can get in to take advantage of their unique programs. There entry is by application for a lottery selection and transportation that is left up to the parent. Using a levy to build a new school is very unusual in this district, especially when there is a $25 million price tag. Why not provide new additions at all high schools to handle the increased in enrollment, which more equally distributes the load as JHS is only at 1,000 students and face a boundary change. Mixing capital improvements in a program levy to gain space does not give voters a clear choice. gain, Kirkland is short-changed.
Then there is the issue of what the new choice school is for, STEM. This is a hot subject throughout the nation, has got the attention of corporations, and has seen Microsoft Corp. grant $130,000 to the Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF). Putting STEM at a choice school, means only a select few high school students will get this education. This in the face of what is happening at Kirkland schools such as Finn Hill Junior High School that is starting a TSA (Technology Student Association) Club that is funded by the LWSF and which is integrating math, science and technology for students that want more than what is offered in the classroom curriculum (go to www.tsaweb.org to see the STEM connection). Earlier this year several Kirkland/Redmond A&E’s (Architects and Engineers) participated in the Future City Competition for Middle School Students during National Engineers Week (go to www.futurecity.org/ to see the STEM connection). STEM should be offered to all secondary schools throughout the district.
Matt Gregory, past LWSD director and current LWSF trustee
