Here is the bond information in an understandable way:

• Bond homepage: A rundown of what’s in the bond, the tax impact, and a bond overview.
• Quick overview flier
• Frequently asked questions: A few of the most common misperceptions we have encountered thus far; PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEND MORE QUESTIONS MY WAY AS YOU HEAR THEM, and I will add to the list.
• Construction history/facts: A good snapshot of how we have been managing construction for the past decade and beyond.

Here are some key messages about the bond:

• Quick facts: The election date is April 17, 2012; the package is $219 million and spans eight years of construction.
• The bond allows us to be fiscally prudent with maintenance and repairs so we don’t otherwise have to use operations dollars that directly support classrooms. For instance, if a boiler breaks, the replacement cost is at least $500,000 (equivalent to about six teaching positions).
• The bond includes rebuilds of our oldest schools during a period of historically low construction costs. After more than five decades, Clark Elementary, Issaquah Middle, and Sunny Hills Elementary are reaching the end of their lifespans; long-term financial forecasts favor rebuilding now rather than making ongoing major repairs for years to come. (This also saves operational dollars, as a new buildings run much more efficiently.)
• We are one of the most fiscally responsible districts in the country. Moody’s recently reaffirmed our highest credit rating—Aaa—even after the federal government’s downgrade. Only 0.76% of all school districts nationwide share this distinction.
• In relation to current school tax expenditures, residents can expect to see a decrease even if the bond is approved. The owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $215 less per year. How? Recognizing the current economic climate, the new bond package is structured to be about half as much as the bond debt retiring in 2012. The retiring bond debt will drop the tax rate from $4.85 to $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value; approval of the new bond will result in an estimated $4.42 tax rate.
• By modernizing Tiger Mountain Community High School, we are expanding career and technical training to help all high-school students compete in a dynamic global economy. This could include partnerships with local STEM businesses, job training, and flexible scheduling (online home base) options for all.

Contact:
Sara Niegowski
Executive Director of Communication
Issaquah School District
(425) 837-7004, phone
(425) 837-7005, fax

ALERT: State could cut school year

It would mean redefining Basic Education to give kids less
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Balancing the budget by cutting school days sets kids up for failure -- both in this budget cycle and the ones to come. The legislature is taking up the proposal this week in Olympia and Washington State PTA is asking members to take action.

To cut school days, the state would have to redefine the Program of Basic Education and argue children don’t need that time in class. This would affect kids today and future generations, and further set our association back from our top priority: improving and fully funding basic education. Today, basic education only covers for about 5 hours of the school day. That sixth hour is "enhancement funding" and comes compliments of your local levy or from state levy equalization funds.

Children need more, not less, instructional time. They already face tough odds. Consider:

• 1 in 3 Washington fourth-graders are below basic in reading. (2011 Nation's Report Card)
• By 2018, 2 out of 3 of our jobs will require a college degree or credential, but Washington’s high school graduation rates hovee ruler in the bottom third nationally. (The BERC Group College Tracking Data Services)

Education is the state’s paramount duty. A downsized economy will be our norm for the foreseeable future and our children need real solutions. To take action, click here.

Ramona Hattendorf
Government relations coordinator
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org

rhatttendorf@wastatepta.org
(mobile) 206-778-8623
2003 65th Ave. West, Tacoma, WA 98466
(office) 253-565-2153

Please see this link for details.

Take five for kids: 2011 issues survey

What is most important to children in our community? Take this Washington State PTA survey and let us know.

Washington State PTA lobbies on behalf of all of PTA and PTSA members for the well-being and education of our state’s youth. Delegates will be meeting this October to adjust WSPTA’s 2-year platform and they need feedback. Representatives from local PTAs and PTSAs, as well as the councils, will be considering adding six issues (early learning; juvenile justice; opportunity gap; school zone signage; charter schools; and highly capable) and amending our teacher compensation priority. Links to issue guides can be found here.

Your opinion matters:

It will help shape our advocacy for the next year. But hurry -- survey closes Sept. 25th.

Resources for you:

Survey URL:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JJK9WVD

HOW ARE WE DOING? 2011 legislative session

Issue papers:

http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html

The Issaquah Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that drives resources to help all students reach the promise of their academic potential. We do this by bridging the gap between funds the state provides for basic education and the dollars our schools need to prepare students for success in school and life.

www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org

September Newsletter Article