SELECT COMMITTE ON FAMILIES,
EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL AND PROMISE
LEVY WILL COME TO ORDER. IT IS
TO:03 P.M. I AM CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE . WE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> [ ROLL CALL ]
>>
SEVEN ARE PRESENT.
>> GREAT. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED . IT IS
ONE ITEM OF BUSINESS ON TODAY'S
AGENDA. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING, WHICH WILL BE IN
EXECUTIVE PRESENTATION OF THE
FAMILIES, EDUCATION, AND
PRESCHOOL PROMISED LEVY RENEWAL
AND PROPOSAL. I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON
AND DIRECTOR CHAPELLE, JONATHAN
SWIFT AND MARISSA FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING FOR COMING TO
CHAMBERS TODAY TO PRESENT. WE
WILL NOW OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD . PUBLIC COMMENT
SHOULD RELATE TO ITEMS ON THE
AGENDA, OR WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF
THIS COMMITTEE. CLERK, HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TODAY?
>> CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 10 IN
PERSON SPEAKERS AND 12 REMOTE
SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE READ THE
PUBLIC COMMENTS INSTRUCTIONS .
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER. PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS UP TO 20 MINUTES. EACH
SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES.
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED.
WE WILL START WITH IN PERSON
SPEAKERS FIRST, AND THEN REMOTE
SPEAKERS UNTIL THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD HAS ENDED.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN
10 SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THEIR
TIME. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN. WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST. NADIA
GUTIERREZ, FOLLOWED BY DANIELLE
.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM HERE ON
BEHALF OF TO SPEAK IN STRONG
SUPPORT FOR THE LEVY PROPOSAL
INVESTMENT IN SEATTLE'S
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
THROUGH 2031. A COMMITMENT THAT
WOULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON
YOUR CITY 'S. WE ARE HONORED TO
SERVE AS A TRUSTED PARTNER IN
THE LATINO FAMILIES. NOT ONLY
FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND
EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE, BUT
ALSO THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE
PROGRAMS LIKE AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM SERVES
FIRST-GENERATION MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCHOLARS , MANY OF WHOM ARE
NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF
GROWING UP BETWEEN TWO CULTURES
, OFTEN IN UNDER RESOURCED
COMMUNITIES. THIS ISN'T JUST
ABOUT THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM,
IT IS ABOUT BELONGING AND HE
GIVING USE A SPACE WHERE THEY
ARE SEEN, HEARD AND SUPPORTED IN
ALL THE AREAS COME ACADEMICALLY,
CULTURALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THE
CURRICULUM IS GROUNDED IN ETHNIC
STUDIES, AND IT PROVIDES THE
TOOLS THESE SCHOLARS NEED TO
BUILD STRONG IDENTITIES,
THINKING SKILLS AND LIFELONG
CONNECTIONS TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES. I COME TO YOU
BECAUSE WE HAVE SEE WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN WE INVEST IN YOUTH , AND WE
SEE THEM LEAD. WE SEE THEM
THRIVE, AND WE SEE THEM BREAK
CYCLES AND BUILD FUTURES. CITY
INVESTMENT IN PROGRAMS LIKE OURS
IS HOW WE CREATE A MORE JUST,
VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE SEATTLE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS
FEDERAL LEVY PROPOSAL AND
STANDING WITH US IN THE PROMISE
AND POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD.
THANK YOU .
>> GRACIAS.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME. MY NAME IS DANNY.
I'M HERE TODAY AS A PROUD
PARTNER IN THE WORK TO UPLIFT
SEATTLE'S CHILDREN YOUTH AND
FAMILIES. AS SOMEONE WHO IS
ENOUGH CLOSE THE DIFFERENCE A
CITY INVESTMENT CAN MAKE. WE ARE
NOT JUST A SERVICE PROVIDER, WE
ARE A SECOND HOME, A BRIDGE,
TRUSTED PRESENTS FOR FAMILIES
WHO OFTEN FEEL INVISIBLE IN THE
SYSTEMS AROUND THEM. ONE OF THE
MOST POWERFUL EXAMPLES OF THIS
IS THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS
IS WHERE LATIN X MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCHOLARS, MANY FIRST-GENERATION,
MULTILINGUAL, COME TO GROW TO
BUILD CONFIDENCE, EXPLORE
IDENTITY AND FIND THEIR VOICE. I
HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A
PERSON WALKS INTO A ROOM WHERE
THEIR CULTURE ISN'T JUST
TOLERATED, IT IS CELEBRATED.
THEIR IDEAS MATTER, THEIR
HISTORY MATTERS, AND THEY CAN
THRIVE NOT IN SPITE OF WHO THEY
ARE, BUT BECAUSE OF WHO THEY
ARE. THAT IS WHAT THIS PROPOSED
LEVY REPRESENTS. THE BELIEF THAT
EVERY CHILD DESERVES THAT KIND
OF SPACE, THAT KIND OF
OPPORTUNITY, THAT KIND OF
FUTURE. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT
THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE KNOW
THE RETURN ON THIS INVESTMENT IS
PROFOUND, NOT JUST FOR
INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, BUT FOR THE
HEALTH, RESILIENCE AND
PROSPERITY OF THE ENTIRE CITY.
VICKI FOR BELIEVING IN OUR KIDS,
AND THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP DOING THIS
WORK TOGETHER. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH CENTERS AND
CLINICAL OPERATIONS WITH HEALTH.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO PUT THE
FEPP LEVY , A CRITICAL
INVESTMENT IN THE HEALTH AND
SEATTLE YOUTH. SCHOOL-BASED
HEALTH CENTERS ARE NOT A LUXURY,
THEY ARE A LIFELINE. THEY
OFFERED PRIMARY CARE, MENTAL
HEALTH COUNSELING, DENTAL AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
DIRECTLY ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES.
NEIGHBOR CARE OPERATES THESE
CENTERS IN 17 SCHOOLS ACROSS
GREATER SEATTLE . LAST YEAR
ALONE WE SERVED OVER 4000
STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH
HIGH SCHOOL. FOR MANY STUDENTS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM LOW INCOME
, IMMIGRANT AND MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITIES, THIS IS THEIR ONLY
ACCESS TO CONSISTENT AND TRUSTED
CARE. WITHOUT FEPP, THESE
CLINICS AND THE HEALTH OF THE
STUDENTS WE SERVE ARE MEORT
DURING A CRISIS, VACCINES DURING
FLU SEASON, OR ROUTINE CARE THAT
KEEPS THEM IN SCHOOL AND
THRIVING. WITH STUDENTS ARE
HEALTHY, PHYSICALLY AND
EMOTIONALLY, THEY ARE READY TO
LEARN. WHEN THEY ARE NOT, THEY
FALL BEHIND. THESE CLINICS
DON'T JUST SERVE STUDENTS, THEY
SUPPORT FAMILIES, REDUCE TIME
PARENTS MISS WORK, AND BUILD
EQUITY INTO THE SYSTEM THAT HAS
NOT ALWAYS DONE SO. THIS IS
PREVENTION AND ACTION. THIS IS
WHAT HEALTH EQUITY LOOKS LIKE.
WE NEED THE FEPP LEVY TO BE
RENEWED. DON'T LET THOUSANDS OF
STUDENTS LOSE ACCESS TO CARE
THEY RELY ON. THEIR FUTURES AND
COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON IT. THANK
YOU .
>> THANK YOU .
>> NEXT, SIERRA PARSONS.
>> HELLO. I AM A SOUTH SEATTLE
EDUCATOR AND RESTORATIVE
PRACTITIONER HERE ON BEHALF OF.
I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL AND
MAYOR'S OFFICE TO EXPLICITLY
INVEST IN RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
IN THE FEPP LEVY RENEWAL. FIVE
YEARS AGO, IN 2020, AFTER
COURAGEOUS STUDENT AND COMMUNITY
DEMANDS, SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEFINITELY INTO THE CONTRACT
WITH THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST REMOVE
POLICE FROM HALLWAYS, BUT TO
REINVEST IN HARM HEALED TRAUMA
AND BUILD TRUE SAFETY,
RESTORATIVE RECORDS IS AT THE
HEART OF THIS VISION. WE HAVE
BEEN LEADING THIS WORK FOR
YEARS, PARTNERING TO CREATE
RESTORATIVE ECOSYSTEMS,
STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, REPAIR
HARM AND TRANSFORM SCHOOL
CLIMATE. WE HAVE TRAINED
HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS
AND LEADERS ACROSS SEVEN
SCHOOLS, HELPING SHIFT
ENVIRONMENTS FROM PUNITIVE TO
HEALING CENTERED. WE KNOW
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES GO
HAND-IN-HAND WITH STUDENT MENTAL
HEALTH, SCHOOL SAFETY AND
BELONGING. WE HAVE ALSO OBSERVED
THAT SCHOOLS CANNOT DO THIS WORK
WITHOUT ADEQUATE STAFF AND
FUNDING. RIGHT NOW, CITY
INVESTMENT SUPPORTS ONLY A
HANDFUL OF RESTORATIVE
COORDINATORS DISTRICTWIDE. THAT
FUNDING IS AT RISK BEYOND 2026.
WITHOUT IT SOLICIT DESIGNATED
FUNDING AND THE FEPP LEVY, WE
JEOPARDIZE THE PROGRESS WE HAVE
MADE, AND THE PROMISES WE MADE
IN 20 22,000S OF BLACK AND BROWN
YOUTH URGING TO CENTER
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AS A
CORNERSTONE OF THIS LEVY. THIS
IS NOT SUPPLEMENTAL, IT IS
ESSENTIAL FOR CREATING SCHOOLS
WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND
SUPPORTIVE. LET'S INVEST IN
THIS MENTAL HEALTH , SAFETY AND
WELL-BEING OF SEATTLE STUDENTS
BY MORE FULLY FUNDING THE
POSITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT
MAKE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
POSSIBLE. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU .
>> NEXT ON THE LIST.
>> I SERVE AS A RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES PROGRAM MANAGER FOR
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. OUR
TEAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH
COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WORKS WITH
SCHOOLS TO BUILD RELATIONAL,
SAFE AND EQUITABLE SCHOOL
CULTURES , RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN
WAYS THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR REPAIR AND GROWTH, AND
OFFERS CRISIS RESPONSE AND GRIEF
SUPPORT DURING TRAGIC EVENTS.
THE LAST LEVY AND COUNSEL BUDGET
AXIS AND SUPPORTED SOME OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS IN
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN SBS AND
HAVE CRITICAL IMPACT,
EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE IS
DECREASING, FEELINGS OF SAFETY
AND BELONGING IN CONNECTION ARE
INCREASING. WHILE SBS FUNDS A
FOUR-PERSON CENTRAL OFFICE, TO
SUPPORT OVER 100 SCHOOLS , CITY
FUNDS HAVE ENABLED THE PLACEMENT
OF RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
COORDINATOR IS IN EIGHT SCHOOLS,
IN COLLABORATION WITH ESSENTIAL
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THESE
BRILLIANT RESTORATIVE PRACTICE
COORDINATORS, FUNDED BY CITY
DOLLARS, OUR COMPETITIVE MEMBERS
OF THEIR SCHOOLS. THE ROOMS ARE
PACKED WITH STUDENTS AFTER
DIFFICULT EVENTS, LIKE THE
RECENT DEATH OF WASHINGTON
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND GARFIELD. THEY
TRAIN STUDENTS AND STAFF IN
CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND FOSTER
COMMUNITY BUILDING. HOWEVER,
MUCH WORK REMAINS. WITH THE
TRAININGS AND PARTNERSHIPS WE
HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED, WE ARE
READY TO EXPAND THE WORK AND
REACH MORE SCHOOLS, BUT WE NEED
CONTINUED FUNDING TO ENSURE KEY
STAFF MEMBERS AND PARTNERSHIPS
REMAIN. STUDENTS FACE
OVERLAPPING CRISES. MENTAL
HEALTH, VIOLENCE AND PERSISTENT
RACIAL DISPARITIES IN DISCIPLINE
AND SAFETY. THESE ARE NOT JUST
NUMBERS, THEY ARE A REFLECTION
OF HOW DEEPLY YOUNG PEOPLE NEED
SCHOOL COMMUNITIES THAT OFFER
CONNECTION, NOT PUNISHMENT,
HEALING AND NOT HARM. WHEN
STUDENTS FEEL SUPPORTED AND
CONNECTED, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY
TO ENGAGE IN HARMFUL BEHAVIORS.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IS PART OF
THE SOLUTION TO MAINTAIN THIS
CONNECTION. I URGE YOU TO
INCLUDE DEDICATED FUNDING IN THE
UPCOMING FEPP LEVY PACKAGE OF
PART OF THE READY TO LEARN
INVESTMENT. PLEASE DON'T LET
KEY STAFF THE COMMUNITY THAT
THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE
FUTURE OF STUDENTS AND THEIR
WELL-BEING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED SUPPORT .
>> THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU FOR EFFICIENCY. I
WILL NAME THE NEXT FIVE
SPEAKERS. IF YOU
COULD ALL PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND
THE PODIUM TO MAKE IT EASIER TO
ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THE
NEXT SPEAKER.
>> ALL THE MICROPHONES ARE
WORKING. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP
FOR YOUR NEXT TURN, THAT IS
HELPFUL TOO.
>> HELLO. I AM A CONSULTING
TEACHER ON THE RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TEAM. THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU. I
AM A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER.
THIS IS MY NINTH YEAR AS AN SBS
EMPLOYEE. PRIOR I WAS A CHILD
WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER FOR 14
YEARS WHERE I SPENT A LOT OF
TIME IN SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE
COUNTY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND
THEIR FAMILIES ADVOCATING FOR
STUDENTS. WITH SCHOOL STAFF HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND
UNDERSTAND THEIR EXPERIENCE,
THEY WERE ABLE TO HOLD MORE
EMPATHY. THE OUTCOMES FOR THE
STUDENTS I SERVED WERE TIED TO
THE RELATIONSHIP THEY HAD WITHIN
THEIR SCHOOLS. ASIDE FROM FAMILY
SCHOOLS HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT
ON HOW ALL CHILDREN ARE DOING. I
HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW EVEN ONE
RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ADULT AT
SCHOOL HAS -- WAS LIFESAVING. A
FEW YEARS AGO, MY ROLE AND
POSITION CHANGES THE TEAM
TRANSITIONED TO IMPLEMENT
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
DISTRICTWIDE. RP DID NOT BEGIN
WHEN OUR TEAM WAS CREATED,
HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME
SCHOOLS HAVE INTENTIONAL CENTRAL
OFFICE SUPPORT, AND FOR SCHOOLS
NEW TO THE WORK, THEY HAD ACCESS
TO SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO HELP
THEM BEGIN. THIS LEVY DIRECTLY
IMPACTS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF
THE WORK HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS
BECAUSE IT HELPED FUND
COORDINATOR POSITIONS WITHIN
SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS THE WORK
WITHIN COMMUNITY PARTNERS. AS A
DISTRICT TEAM OF FOUR SERVING
OVER 100 SCHOOLS, WE NEED
COORDINATORS AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. WHEN I LEFT CHILD
WELFARE NINE YEARS AGO, I KNEW I
STILL WANTED TO SOMEHOW CONTINUE
TO SERVE AND ADVOCATE FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES. NEVER
HAS MY WORK BE MORE CONNECTED TO
THE WORK I USED TO DO. RP IS
HUMANIZING WORK FOR THE SOLE
PURPOSE IS BUILDING COMMUNITY
BETWEEN COLLEAGUES, STUDENTS AND
COMMUNITIES. FOUNDATION LAE,
THIS IS WHAT WE ALL NEED,
ESPECIALLY IN A TIME WHEN THERE
IS SO MUCH VIOLENCE AND LOSS IN
THE COMMUNITIES. RP, AT ITS
HEART, SOWS RELATIONSHIPS AND
CONNECTIONS. IT CREATES
CAPACITIES FOR PEOPLE TO COME
TOGETHER WHEN HARD THINGS
HAPPEN. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU.
>> KATIE .
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS MY 31st
YEAR AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL
EDUCATOR. FOR 21 OF THESE YEARS
I SERVED IT STUDENTS, STAFF AND
FAMILIES IN SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AS AN ELEMENTARY AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AND
PRINCIPAL. I BECAME AN EDUCATOR
TO HELP WRITE THE SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND EQUITIES I SEE IN THE
EDUCATION SYSTEM. OVER THE
YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED, AND
UNLEARNED, FROM THE BEAUTIFUL
HUMANS I HAVE SERVED RACE AND
RACISM FUEL AND EQUITIES, AND
ABOUT MY OWN RACIAL IDENTITY AND
HOW IT IMPACTS MY WORK. IN JULY
2018 I STARTED PLANNING FOR A
NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN JULY
2021 I WAS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE
SCHOOL, WHICH WAS OPEN FOR SIX
MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC
CLOSED THE DOORS. I WAS CRAVING
HUMANIZED DISTRICT SUPPORT FOR
THE WELLNESS OF MYSELF, AND THE
HUMANS I WAS CHARGED WITH
HELPING FEEL SAFE, WELCOME AND
INCLUDED. IN JANUARY 2023 I
TRANSITIONED TO MY FIRST
DIST NSULTANT AND COACH IN THE
DEPARTMENT. THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO
HOUSES OUR RESTORATIVE TEAM. MY
WORK SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH AND
DISCIPLINE, WHICH INCLUDE SCHOOL
CRISIS SUPPORT, POST AND GRIEF
SUPPORT THROUGHOUT ITS PLACEMENT
IN STUDENT RIGHTS ENGAGEMENT. IN
THIS ROLE, I RECEIVED
RESTORATIVE TRAINING AND
IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THESE
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES AS A
HUMANIZING SUPPORT TOOLS I WAS
CRAVING AS A SCHOOL LEADER. I
NOW WALK CLOSELY ALONGSIDE THE
SHRINKING RESTORATIVE TEAM
INTEGRATING RESTORATIVE
COMPONENTS AND ALL THE WORK ,
SUPPORT WORK I TO PROVIDE.
LEARNING AS A HIGHLY SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL ENDEAVOR, RESTORATIVE
PRACTICE HELP SCHOOLS CULTIVATE
RACIAL EQUITY AND SOCIAL,
EMOTIONAL AND IDENTITY SAFETY
STUDENTS NEED TO ENGAGE MORE
FULLY AND SUCCESSFULLY IN
ACADEMICS. THESE RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES SUPPORT ADULTS, AS
MUCH AS THEY DO STUDENTS. I URGE
YOU TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN THE
NEXT LEVY. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS .
>> I AM ALEX A MENTOR --
ZIMMERMAN. EVERYONE HE KNOWS ME.
MY DIRTY FASCISTS . MY NAME IS
ALEX ZIMMERMAN. I AM MAGA
MEMBER. I HAVE 6000 TRESPASSES.
>> MR. ZIMMERMAN. PLEASE KEEP
YOUR COMMENTS [ OVERLAPPING
SPEAKERS ]
>> ONLY ABOUT SCHOOL. DON'T
INTERRUPT ME. I AM IN BELLEVUE
FOR MANY YEARS AT BOARD
MEETINGS. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING.
THEY GIVE ME THREE TRESPASSES.
WHY? WHEN I COMMENT I SEE WHAT
THEY ARE DOING. IT SURPRISES ME.
WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? NOT THE
CONSULTATION CAMP. --
CONCENTRATION CAMP. YOU KNOW
WHAT THIS MEANS? CHILDREN ARE
SLAVES. TWO GENERATIONS WORK FOR
DEMOCRATS. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW
THIS CONCENTRATION CAMP. YOU CAN
GO TO CREMATORIUM. YOU START TO
BE NICE. START BE A SLAVE. VERY
IMPORTANT. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU
GUYS. YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?
I CALL YOU PIG FOR MANY YEARS.
>> MR. ZIMMERMAN, PLEASE TALK
ABOUT SOMETHING RELATED TO THE
PURVIEW OF THIS COMMITTEE .
>> STOP INTERRUPTING ME. CHEAP
DIRTY TRICK. EXACTLY WHAT I AM
TALKING ABOUT. YOU CANNOT PUSH
CHILDREN , WHETHER SIX-YEAR,
TENURE OR 12 YEAR. YOU CANNOT
GIVE CHILDREN FREEDOM. YOU
CANNOT DO THIS. YOU ARE PIG.
THESE ARE CHILDREN. VIVA NEW
AMERICAN REVOLUTION. STAND UP
AGAINST THESE PIGS CONCENTRATION
CAMP. STOP INTERRUPTING ME.
>> THE NEXT TWO PEOPLE ON THE
LIST .
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE
CITY COUNCIL THAT IS. I AM
REPRESENTING DR. JONES ,
SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE. THANK
YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
TODAY. I'M HERE TO OFFER A
CLEAR, STRAIGHTFORWARD MESSAGE
INVESTING IN SEATTLE FAMILIES
STRENGTHENS OUR ENTIRE CITY. THE
PROPOSED 2025 FAMILIES ,
EDUCATIONS, PRESCHOOL AND
PROMISE LEVY BUILDS ON THE 35
YEAR SUPPORT LEGACY FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH, ENSURING EVERY CHILD
IS READY TO START SCHOOL, LEARN,
LAUNCH INTO A CAREER, OR COLLEGE
PATHWAY. THIS LEVY CONCERNS, NOT
JUST THE EDUCATION, BUT
FAMILIES. FAMILY STABILITY,
WORKFORCE READINESS, COMMUNITY
SAFETY, AND IT COMES AT JUST
$654 PER YEAR. FOR THE AVERAGE
HOMEOWNER. $.15 MORE THAN THE
CURRENT LEVY. THAT IS LESS THAN
THE PRICE OF A CUP OF COFFEE
HERE IN SEATTLE. THE EVERY CHILD
READY INITIATIVE DRIVES THE
VISION FOR TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD
IN SEATTLE HAS ACCESS TO
HIGH-QUALITY, EARLY LEARNING
OPPORTUNITIES, SAY SUPPORTIVE
K-12 ENVIRONMENTS, ANY
MEANINGFUL PATHWAY INTO COLLEGE
OR CAREER. THIS INITIATIVE
TOUCHES EVERY STAGE OF A YOUNG
PERSON'S LIFE, STARTED BEFORE
BIRTH AND .
THIS LEVY, WE SUPPORT FAMILIES
GETTING TO WORK, STUDENTS
GETTING TO SCHOOL SAFELY, AND
GRADUATES CONTRIBUTING TO THE
LOCAL ECONOMY. THE LEVY DIRECTLY
SUPPORT THE WORKING FAMILIES BY
EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE
CHILDCARE, DOUBLING THE CITY'S
CHILDCARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND
SAVING FAMILIES AN AVERAGE OF
$6500 PER YEAR PER CHILD. THIS
SUSTAINS PRENATAL SERVICES FOR
HUNDREDS OF YOUNG FAMILIES. IT
DELIVERS RETENTION STIPENDS FOR
OVER 5000 CHILDCARE WORKERS ,
ANNUALLY HELPING STABILIZE A
WORKFORCE THAT SUPPORTS OUR
YOUNGEST LEARNERS. FOR K-12
STUDENTS, THE LEVY EXPAND ACCESS
TO AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER
ENRICHMENT FOR OVER 90,000 YOUNG
PEOPLE EACH YEAR, AND IT INVESTS
IN STUDENT'S MENTAL AND
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, ADDING FIVE
NEW SCHOOL HEALTH BASED CENTERS,
AND SCALING UP IN PERSON --
>>
>> HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I
SERVE AS THE CHANCELLOR FOR
SEATTLE COLLEGES. IT IS
WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU
WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED WITH OUR
COLLEGES IN THE PAST. AFTER TO
SPEAK FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF
WORKING WITH THE SEATTLE PROMISE
PORTION OF THE FEPP LEVY AND THE
EVERY CHILD LEVY BEING PROPOSED
TODAY. I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM SINCE IT
WAS THE 13th YEAR BACK IN 2007.
I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH.
WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SOUTH
SEATTLE COLLEGE AND CLEVELAND
HIGH SCHOOL. I HELPED RECRUIT
THE FIRST DOZEN OR SO STUDENTS
INTO THAT PROGRAM THEN, AND I AM
SO IMMENSELY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO
SAY THAT WE NOW ENROLLED 1600 OF
OUR GRADUATES ACROSS 22 SEATTLE
HIGH SCHOOLS TODAY. WE HAVE COME
UPON SOMETHING IN THE FIRST
ITERATION AS PART OF THE FEPP
LEVY THAT HAS REALLY TOUCHED A
NEED AND MEETS A NEED. WE HAVE
BEEN GROWING STEADILY THE LAST
SIX YEARS. 70% TODAY OF SEATTLE
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES APPLY FOR
THE PROGRAM. I THINK 68% OF THE
CLASS OF 2024 IDENTIFY AS
STUDENTS OF COLOR. AND SO, THE
OPEN ACCESS MISSION OF OUR
COLLEGES AND THE SEATTLE PROMISE
INITIATIVE HAS REALLY, TRULY MET
THE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN
PREVIOUSLY UNMET THROUGH OUR
COMMUNITY IN THE PAST. I AM
REALLY PROUD TO BE A PART OF
THIS CONTINUUM OF PRESCHOOL
THROUGH K-12, PREPARING EVERY
CHILD FOR A PRODUCTIVE AND
SUCCESSFUL AND FULFILLING
ADULTHOOD AS COLLEGE GRADUATES
INTO THEIR NEXT CAREER, OR
FURTHER INTO THEIR HIGHER
EDUCATION. WE KNOW THAT OUR
GRADUATES ARE BRILLIANT,
DETERMINED, INSPIRATIONAL. YOU
DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND
GREAT EXAMPLES OF THAT. THE
BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAM, OR THE
SUPPORT THEY ARE RECEIVING
AROUND THEIR ASPIRATIONS. WE ARE
DOING THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE SEATTLE COLLEGES, CITY OF
SEATTLE IN SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND ARE REALLY PROUD TO
BE THIS END OF THE CONTINUUM WE
ARE TRYING TO PREPARE OUR CITY
FOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
YOUR TIME TODAY .
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, WE ARE
GOING OVER THE 20 MINUTE TIME WE
NORMALLY ALLOT FOR PUBLIC
COMMENTS. I WILL ASK IF IT IS
OKAY WITH YOU ALL TO EXTEND
FURTHER TO HEAR EVERYONE. GREAT.
THANK YOU. CONTINUE, CLERK .
>> THE LAST IN-PERSON SPEAKER .
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO REMOTE
SPEAKERS. JUST A REMINDER, PRESS
STAR SIX WHEN YOU HEAR THE
PROMPT OF, YOU HAVE BEEN
UNMUTED. FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER .
>> HELLO. I AM AN EDUCATOR AND
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
PRACTITIONER. WE HAVE WORKED AND
ORGANIZED WITH HUNDREDS OF
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACROSS
SEATTLE FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ALL
HERE. IT IS FROM THIS VANTAGE
POINT THAT WE CAN SEE HOW
CRUCIAL IT IS THAT FUNDS BE
EXPLICITLY ALLOCATED TO
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE
EXPLICITLY FUNDING RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES IN THE FEPP LEVY
RENEWAL. THE FUNDING IS CRUCIAL
FOR WORK WITHIN SBS TO CONTINUE,
AND CRUCIAL TO CONTINUE
SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING OF
FAMILY, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS
AMONG THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES. IN
OUR LAST 10 YEARS WORKING IN THE
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY WE HAVE
HELPED FAMILIES PROCESS GRIEF
AFTER THE LOSS OF A YOUNG THAT
LOVED ONE DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE,
FOR THEIR NEEDS AND MAKING
POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL
COMMUNITY. WE HAVE TRAINED
HUNDREDS OF EDUCATORS AND
CONFLICT RESOLUTION. ME AND
OTHER PRACTITIONERS FUNDED BY
THIS LEVY WORK WORK REALLY HARD
TO TRANSFORM SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS
TO BE PLACES OF HEALING AND HAVE
ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO
THRIVE, LEARN AND BUILD HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIPS. RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES ARE VIOLENCE
PREVENTION WORK, MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT TO SUPPORT THRIVING OF
OUR COMMUNITIES, AND STUDENT THE
FAMILY DEMAND THIS CONTINUES. WE
REALLY URGE YOU TO PUT
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN THE
LEVY RENEWAL. INVESTING IN THE
SUPPORTS ESSENTIAL TO OUR SENSE
OF HOPE AND SENSE OF SURVIVAL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT ONLINE SPEAKER. OLIVIA,
PRESS STAR SIX WHEN YOU HEAR THE
PROMPT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
I AM HERE REPRESENTING
CHILDREN'S FUNDING PROJECT, A
NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
THAT WORKS WITH MAYORS,
GOVERNORS, CHILD SERVING
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND
OTHERS TO STRATEGICALLY FUND
HIGH-QUALITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH. WE ARE
HONORED TO JOIN THE CHORUS OF
ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR THE
SEATTLE FAMILY, EDUCATION,
PRESCHOOL PROMISE RENEWAL. AS WE
WORK WITH COMMUNITIES TO ANSWER
TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO
FIND THAT FUND CHILD AND YOUTH
FAMILY SERVICES, SEATTLE STAND
OUT AS A NATIONAL LEADER. AS
PART OF OUR WORK, OUR TEAM HAS
MAPPED INVESTMENTS IN
HALF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING
WASHINGTON. FROM THIS VANTAGE
POINT, WE KNOW THE ROLE OF LOCAL
INVESTMENT IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH
HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL.
THE PANDEMIC WIDENED OPPORTUNITY
GAPS, INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH
CHALLENGES AND DISRUPTED
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. THE
INSTABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDING
STREAMS HAS MADE IT MORE
DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE
QUALITY PROGRAMS. BUT BY
ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED STREAM
TO SUPPORT FOR OPPORTUNITIES
THROUGH THE FEPP LEVY, SEATTLE
HAS SET ITSELF APART FROM OTHER
COMMUNITIES IN THE ABILITY TO
WEATHER CHANGES IN THE STATE AND
NATIONAL LANDSCAPE. THIS ALLOWS
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING TO USE DATA
INFORMED APPROACHES TO MONITOR
OUTCOMES AND IMPROVE PROGRAM
QUALITY WHILE INCREASING ACCESS
TO OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE
PIPELINE. COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY HAVE TAKEN NOTE AND THIS
MODEL HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY
POPULAR. IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS,
VOTED TO AUTHORIZE ACCRETION OF
OVER 20 NEW CHILDREN DEDICATED
LEVEES IN 20 COMMUNITIES. THE
SEATTLE APPROACH TO COORDINATING
INVESTMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND
YOUTH OF ALL AGES REPRESENT A
NORTHSTAR THE COMMUNITIES
NATIONWIDE SEEK TO EMULATE . BY
SUPPORTING THE LEVY RENEWAL, YOU
ARE ADVANCING A CAREER AND
RESOLUTE VISION OF WHAT IS
POSSIBLE WHEN A COMMUNITY
PRIORITIZES YOUNG PEOPLE FROM
CRADLE TO CAREER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER. GREETINGS.
I AM REPRESENTING LEARNING
CENTER. WE HAVE BEEN
PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM UNDER THE FEPP
LEVY SINCE THE PILOT PROGRAM
BACK IN 2015. WE HAVE SEEN
IMMENSE GROWTH AND BENEFITS OF
FEPP OVER THE YEARS.
PARTICULARLY WITH OF PROVIDING
AFFORDABLE, EQUITY, HIGH-QUALITY
CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL SERVICES
FOR ALL FAMILIES IN SEATTLE.
THESE INVESTMENTS IMPACT TEACHER
RETENTION, CONTINUITY OF CARE
FOR CHILDREN, AND THIS MAKES A
HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES TO
BECOME A STABLE AND RELIABLE
RESOURCE FOR PROVIDING PEER
EDUCATION, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
SUPPORT, NUTRITIOUS MEALS,
INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION,
HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
SCREENING, AND ACADEMIC
READINESS. WITH THE UNCERTAINTY
OF ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION FOR AT
RISK FAMILIES, IT IS ESPECIALLY
CRUCIAL TO EXPAND INVESTMENTS IN
OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
AND CONSIDERATION .
>> THANK YOU. LET THE RECORD
REFLECT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH HAS JOINED US.
WELCOME .
>> NEXT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I SERVED FOR OVER 30
YEARS AS A JUDGE , INCLUDING
TIME IS CHIEF JUDGE OF JUVENILE
COURT IN KING COUNTY SUPERIOR
CORPORATE DURING THAT TIME, I
BECAME DEEPLY INVOLVED IN
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES. NOT JUST
AS A POLICY TOOL, BUT AS A
TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH TO
SAFETY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
SCHOOLS AND STARTED PRACTICES
HAVE BECOME A LIFELINE. THEY
CREATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES
FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF FEEL
SEEN, VALUED AND PROTECTED. THEY
PROVIDE REAL TOOLS FOR
ADDRESSING HARM , PREVENTING
VIOLENCE AND FOSTERING
RESPONSIBILITY, ALL WHY WE
REDUCE THE RELIANCE ON PUNITIVE
DISCIPLINE THAT TOO OFTEN PUSHES
STUDENTS FURTHER AWAY. I HAVE
SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW EFFECTIVE
THIS PRINCIPLE CAN BE WHEN
RESOURCED, WELL RESOURCED . THAT
IS THE KEY. THIS WORK CANNOT
SUCCEED WITHOUT TRAINED STAFF.
AND SUSTAINED SUPPORT FOR THE
SCHOOLS DURING THIS WORK EVERY
DAY. I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE
EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SPECIFICALLY FOR
THOSE RESTORATIVE PRACTITIONERS
. IS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF
DISCIPLINE REFORM, IT IS A
MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY. BY INVESTING
IN THESE APPROACHES, YOU ARE
HELPING PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE,
REDUCING EXCLUSIONARY PRACTICES,
AND PROMOTING LONG-TERM HEALING
FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS AND
FAMILIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUED
COMMITMENT FOR SAFER AND
HEALTHIER SCHOOLS. THANK YOU SO
MUCH .
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT ON THE LIST.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON . I AM AN
EDUCATOR WITH OVER 18 YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE IN THE YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT FIELD WORKING
DIRECTLY WITH BIPOC YOUTH AND
FAMILIES, INCLUDING MULTILINGUAL
FAMILIES. I AM ALSO A CURRENT
MEMBER OF THE LEVY OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS
MY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR THE
RENEWAL OF THE FEPP LEVY. AS AN
LLC MEMBER WHO HAS HAD THE
PRIVILEGE OF CLOSELY MONITORING
THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS LEVY, I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND
THE CRITICAL SUPPORT AND
RESOURCES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
, EARLY LEARNING THROUGH
POSTSECONDARY. I'VE ALSO
WITNESSED HOW THE SUPPORTS HAVE
BEEN ENHANCED -- HAVE ENHANCED
EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR BIPOC
YOUTH. IN ADDITION, THE CLOSE
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND
THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN AN ASSET
IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE
VITAL RESOURCES. I HAVE ALSO
APPRECIATED THE HIGH DEGREE OF
TRANSPARENCY IN WHICH HAS
OPERATED. I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE
TO WITNESS IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS CURRENT LEVY IN ACTION VIA
MULTIPLE SITE VISITS AND THROUGH
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STAFF
IMPLEMENTING THE WORK ON THE
GROUND. I AM HERE TO
ENTHUSIASTICALLY ENDORSE THE
SUSTAINING OF THESE CRITICAL
RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY DURING
THIS TIME OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM AN EDUCATOR OF 20
PLUS YEARS , FORMER SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATOR FOR OVER A DECADE,
AND CURRENTLY COFOUNDER OF
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
THAT HAS WORKED WITH CIRCLE
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, INCLUDING
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
SUPPORTING TEACHERS,
DEMONSTRATORS, PARENTS AND
STUDENTS. WE ARE DEEPLY
COMMITTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF
THE HUMANS THAT OCCUPIED OUR
SCHOOLS AND SEE THERE IS MUCH TO
DO. WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE
PERFECT STORM. THE SURGEON
GENERAL HAS NAMED ISOLATION AND
EPIDEMIC AND YOUTH ARE DROWNING
IN DISCONNECTION AND KILLING
THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER AS A
RESULT. PRACTICES CULTIVATES
AUTHENTIC CONNECTION. THE MORE
PEOPLE FEELS TRULY SEEN AND
HEARD, ENTIRE COMMUNITIES
TRANSFER. THE RESTORATIVE
PRACTICE CORE NADIRS IN SCHOOL
BUILDINGS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
LIKE US GUIDE OUR SCHOOLS
THROUGH THIS ESSENTIAL CULTURAL
SHIFT. WE ARE READILY -- FUND
POLICE BUT HESITATE TO THAT
STUDENT WILL BE. THIS IS
REWRITING A HARMFUL NARRATIVE.
CURRENTLY THE NARRATIVE --
INVESTED IN POLICING USES THAT
ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR
WELL-BEING. THE STORY CAN BE
CHANGED. EACH DOLLAR INVESTED
PAYS DIVIDENDS THROUGH REDUCING
INCIDENTS, HEALTHIER SCHOOL
CULTURES, STRONG ACADEMIC
OUTCOMES, AND WILL SUPPORT THE,
HUMANS WHO CAN TRANSFORM
CONFLICT IN CONNECTION. I URGE
YOU TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THIS
CRITICAL FUNDING FOR OUR YOUTH
DESERVE SPACES WHERE THEY CAN
AUTHENTICALLY AND BUILD THE
SKILLS NEEDED TO NAVIGATE AN
INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD.
THANK YOU, KINDLY, FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION AND TIME .
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND
STAKEHOLDERS . SHOUT OUT TO -- I
TAUGHT ETHNIC STUDIES WORLD
HISTORY AND HIGH SCHOOL FOR A
DECADE. I'M NOW ABOUT TO
COMPLETE MY THIRD YEAR AS LEVY
COORDINATOR. IT IS AN HONOR TO
BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT
STRATEGIZE IS AND WORKS TO
INCREASE THE COLLEGE AND CAREER
READINESS ON-TIME GRADUATION AND
ELA PROFICIENCY FOR STUDENTS
HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED AND
UNDERSERVED WITHIN THE SYSTEM. I
WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO BE
SUSTAINED, RATHER THAN
DISBANDED, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
BIGGEST ACADEMIC CRISIS OUR
COUNTRY HAS SEEN. I URGE YOU TO
MAINTAIN LEVY FUNDING GOING
DIRECTLY TO HIGH SCHOOLS AND TO
MAINTAIN THE INVESTMENT IN
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TO BEST
SUPPORT SAFETY, SECURITY,
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND BRIGHT
FUTURES FOR OUR YOUTH THE LEVY
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES AND LEVY
DOLLARS ALLOCATED TO US ARE
DECIDED UPON THROUGH
COLLABORATION WITH A NUMBER OF
INTERNAL TEAMS AND COMMITTEES,
INCLUDING THE BUILDING
LEADERSHIP TEAM, STUDENT
INTERVENTION TEAM, FAMILY TEAM,
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT, AND
STRUCTURAL COUNCIL, THE TSA IN
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES T.
HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE
THAT THE LEVY TEAM DOES NOT
VISIT FOR FEEDBACK. THESE TEAMS
ARE MADE UP OF LEVY TEAM
MEMBERS. BECAUSE TEAM MEMBERS
ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
WORKING INSIDE THE CLASSROOMS
WITH STUDENTS AND AVAILABLE ON
SITE TO PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS
EXACTLY WHEN NEEDED, WE ARE BEST
ABLE TO SERVE THE YOUTH. WILL
ATTEND THE SAME PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS, GETTING
THE SAME LANGUAGE TO SPEAK ABOUT
STRATEGIES, AND COMMITTING TO
THE SAME PRACTICES. WE
UNDERSTAND OUR SHARED
EXPECTATIONS FOR INSTRUCTION,
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING. WE HAVE
BUILT RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS
WITH THE TEACHING STAFF,
SECURITY , ADMINISTRATION AND
FAMILIES BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING
ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER ON A SHARED
VISION. WE HAVE WORKED YEAR
AFTER YEAR AND HAVE SERVED
GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES. THE
TURNOVER IS LOW, AND
RELATIONSHIPS ARE STRONG. IF WE
WERE TO SHIP TO A SCENARIO WHERE
MONEY IS NO LONGER ALLOCATED,
THE IMPACT WOULD DEVASTATE
STUDENTS, STAFF AND --
>> THANK YOU .
>> NEXT.
>> -- PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX .
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WITH OVER 30
YEARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, MY
JOURNEY BEGAN AS A SPECIAL
EDUCATION TEACHER AND EVOLVES
TOWARD SYSTEMS LEVEL
IMPROVEMENTS. EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS
SHOULD UPLIFT INDIVIDUALS . I
HAVE BEEN DISHEARTENED BY THE
LIMITED ACCESS AND -- OF EARLY
INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN
NEEDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO HAVE
THEIR EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL,
EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
NEEDS MET WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF
LABELS OR SPECIAL EDUCATION
QUALIFICATIONS. THE EXCLUSIVE
FOCUS ON ACADEMICS OFTEN
NEGLECTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
CHILD'S SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH
UNTIL ISSUES ARISE. ALL BEHAVIOR
IS COMMUNICATION. WHEN WE
RESPOND WITH PUNISHMENT OR
EXCLUSION, WE MAY OVERLOOK THE
ROOT CAUSE LINKED TO UNJUST
SYSTEMS. WHAT IF THE STEM FROM A
LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES , PRACTICE
SOCIAL SKILLS, OR FROM SYSTEMIC
INEQUITIES. RESTORATIVE
PRACTICES WORKS WITHIN SCHOOLS
AND COMMUNITIES TO COUNTER THESE
CONCERNS. I AM HEARTENED BY THE
COMMITMENT OF THIS COUNCIL TO
PRIORITIZE EDUCATIONAL AND
MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR YOUTH
. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES ALIGNED
SEAMLESSLY WITH THE COUNCIL
PRIORITIES, AND THE NEEDS OF OUR
COMMUNITY. FOSTERING A
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR
CHILDREN. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
IS ABOUT LEARNING , BUILDING
COMMUNITY . IT IS RELATIONAL AND
EMPOWERING. THE VISION STATEMENT
FROM SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REFLECTS THE COLLECTIVE DESIRE
TO CONFRONT HARMFUL SYSTEMS AND
CREATE A HOLISTIC AND COLLECTIVE
PATH FORWARD. SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS ARE AT THE HEART OF THE
CITY. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN
POWERS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES AND
CENTERS WELLNESS AND JOY IN
LEARNING AND LIFE. WE ENGAGE IN
A RELATIONAL AND HEALING
CENTERED PROCESS TO FOSTER
COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS. I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR --
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE LAST SPEAKER.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES .
>> I AM SO HONORED TO BE HERE
TODAY . I AM A PROFESSOR OF
PEDIATRICS AT SEATTLE
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. I HAVE
WORKED IN SCHOOL-BASED CLINICS
AND THEY BEGAN IN SEATTLE OVER
20 YEARS AGO. NOTHING IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN THE FUTURE AND
WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN. BUT WE
KNOW MORE FACE REAL CHALLENGES
ACCESSING CARE. I SEE EVERY DAY
IN MY CLINIC. I ALSO SEE IT AT
THE SCHOOL BASICALLY. AT THE
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS THEY
ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE .
IT IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW MUCH
CHANGE HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF
IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MEDICAL AND
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RIGHT WHERE
KIDS SPEND THEIR DAY, AT SCHOOL.
THIS MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER FOR
KIDS AND FAMILIES TO GET CARE,
ESPECIALLY WITH THINGS LIKE
FINDING TRANSPORTATION AND COSTS
CAN BE REAL HURDLES. WE KNOW THE
PUT IN THE CARE RIGHT IN THE
SCHOOLS MEANS MORE KIDS CAN WALK
DOWN THE HALL, WALKED INTO THE
OFFICE AND SEE SOMEONE THAT CAN
HELP THEM FEEL BETTER WITHOUT
HAVING TO PULL FAMILY FROM JOBS
OR PULLING THEM OUT OF THE
SCHOOLS COME ACROSS TOWN TO WAIT
IN CLINICS. PROBLEMS GET CAUGHT
EARLIER, AND THEY GET TAKEN CARE
OF FASTER. IT IS WORKING WELL
HERE IN SEATTLE. THE PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN THE CITY. WE RUN HEALTH
CENTERS AT THREE SCHOOLS
OFFERING CONNECTIVE MEDICAL,
BEAVER HEALTH, AND EVEN DENTAL
CARE. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE,
WE A SKILLED THERAPIST, NURSE
PRACTITIONERS AND CARE
COORDINATORS RIGHT IN THE SCHOOL
BUILDING SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK TO
HELP STUDENTS WITH WHAT THEY
NEED RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE. IT IS
NOT JUST CONVENIENT, IT IS GOOD
AND EFFECTIVE CARE IN PLACE OF
KIDS AND FAMILY STRESS. NOW
SERVICES LIKE THESE ARE CLEARLY
WORKING WITH RELIABLE SUPPORT.
THAT IS WHY SUSTAINED AND
EXPANDED FUNDING IS ABSOLUTELY
KEY. THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS OF STUDENTS ARE
REAL AND NEED STEADY FUNNY. THIS
LEVY IS HOW WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN,
USING THE FUNDS TO KEEP THE
SERVICE A STRONG IS VITAL .
>> THANK YOU .
>> THAT WAS THE LAST REGISTERED
SPEAKER .
>> THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. LET THE
RECORD REFLECT THE COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK HAS JOINED ONLINE.
WELCOME. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A
SPECIAL THANKS TO CHANCELLOR ,
THE SEATTLE COLLEGES CHANCELLOR
, CHANCELLOR ROSIE, AS HER
STUDENTS KNOW HER, FOR HER GREAT
PARTNERSHIP, AND ALSO TED
HOWARD, FOR BEING HERE ON BEHALF
OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND ALSO, MARCUS
WHO JOINED US ONLINE FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT, A FELLOW COMMITTEE
MEMBER. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE
WORK THAT YOU DO ON THE LEVY
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT
OF OUR KIDS IN SEATTLE. CLARK,
WILL YOU PLEASE READ ITEM 1 INTO
THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 1, EVERY CHILD
READY EXECUTIVE PRESENTATION ON
FAMILIES, EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL
AND PROMISE LEVY RENEWAL.
>> THANK YOU. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN
READ INTO THE RECORD. THANK YOU,
COLLEAGUES, FOR BEING HERE
TODAY. BEFORE THE PRESENTATION,
I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK
DEPUTY MAYOR TIFFANY WASHINGTON
FOR HER PARTNERSHIP AND LONG
HOURS WORKING ON THIS PROPOSAL.
I BELIEVE THE COLLABORATION
BETWEEN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING, AND MY OFFICE
HAS RESULTED IN A PROPOSAL THAT
INCLUDES MOST, IF NOT ALL,
PRIORITIES AND REQUESTS THAT
COLLEAGUES HAVE DISCUSSED BUT I
ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL NOTE
OF GRATITUDE AND TAKE PRIVILEGE
TO THANK MY STAFF, WENDY AND
NICOLE, FOR ALL THE HOURS THEY
HAVE PUT IN TOWARD SUPPORTING
THIS LEVY, AND ALL THE WORK THAT
THEY DO EVERY DAY. I ALSO WANT
TO TAKE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AT
THIS JUNCTURE TO CLARIFY AN AREA
OF UNDERSTANDABLE CONFUSION THAT
SOME SEATTLE RESIDENTS HAVE ,
AND THAT I HAVE ALREADY HEARD
AFTER THE MAYOR PROPOSED THIS
RENEWAL . THE CITY OF SEATTLE
AND SEATTLE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE
COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTITIES .
THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE OVERSIGHT
OF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IT IS
THE STATE 'S PARAMOUNT DUTY TO
FUND K-12 EDUCATION AND THE
DISTRICT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE THAT EDUCATION. THIS
LEVY IS TO FUND EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
RESPONSIBILITY, SUCH AS
CHILDCARE, PRESCHOOL, K-12
ACADEMIC SUPPORT, LIKE TUTORING
AND MENTORING, K-12 HEALTH AND
SAFETY SERVICES, AND
POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES,
LIKE THE SUCCESSFUL PROMISE
PROGRAM AND THE PATHWAYS TO THE
TRADES. COLLEAGUES, AS YOU HEARD
ME SAY BEFORE, FOR 35 YEARS
SEATTLE VOTERS HAVE INVESTED IN
OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THE
FAMILIES AND EDUCATION LEVEES.
LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN. FOR 35
YEARS VOTERS HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTING KIDS IN SEATTLE. WE
KNOW THESE INVESTMENTS ARE EVEN
MORE IMPORTANT TODAY IN LIGHT OF
THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION'S
UNCONSCIONABLE ATTACKS ON OUR
WORKING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM DEPUTY
MAYOR WASHINGTON ON THE
SPECIFICS OF THE MAYORS
PROPOSAL. COLLEAGUES, I ASK THAT
YOU HOLD QUESTIONS UNTIL THE
END. DEPUTY MAYOR, PLEASE STATE
YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. YOU
CAN BEGIN YOUR PRESENTATION .
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS AND CHAIR RIVERA. FOR
THE RECORD, MY NAME IS DEPUTY
MAYOR TIFFANY WASHINGTON.
>> I AM PILOT DIRECTOR.
>> JONATHAN SWIFT , CFO FOR
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION EARLY
LEARNING .
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMPACT AND
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS .
>> IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH
YOU TODAY TO INTRODUCE THE
MAYORS PROPOSAL TO RENEW THE
FAMILIES, EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL
AND PROMISE LEVY, WHICH HE
ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK AS PART OF
HIS EVERY CHILD READY
INITIATIVE. AS HE SHARED LAST
WEEK, WE ARE IN A CRITICAL
MOMENT TO REINVEST IN THE
HEALTH, SAFETY AND SUCCESS OF
SEATTLE'S YOUTH AND FAMILIES.
THE EVERY CHILD READY INITIATIVE
INCLUDES TRANSFORMATION ,
TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS THAT
WILL MAKE SEATTLE ONE OF THE
BEST CITIES IN THE NATION TO
START AND RAISE A FAMILY.
SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN FROM
CRADLE TO CLASSROOM INTO COLLEGE
AND BEYOND TOWARD SUCCESSFUL
CAREERS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK
CHAIR RIVERA, WHO IS BEEN AN
INVALUABLE PARTNER IN THIS WORK.
AS WE WORKED TO DEVELOP THE
PROPOSAL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
SEATTLE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WHAT WE WILL BE COVERING
TODAY, I WILL SHARE THE MAYOR'S
VISION FOR EVERY CHILD THE CITY
INITIATIVE AND THE PROPOSAL FOR
RENEWING THE FEPP LEVY. I WILL
PASS IT OVER TO DIRECTOR
CHAPELLE. HE WILL TALK MORE
ABOUT THE PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS AND THE TIMELINE FOR
RENEWAL AND THE UPCOMING
RECOMMENDED LIMITATION PLANNING,
AND THEN THE DIRECTOR AND HIS
TEAM WILL SUPPORT ME IN
ANSWERING QUESTIONS. IS THAT THE
NEXT SLIDE? GO TO THAT SLIDE.
>> THERE WE GO.
>> IS SOMEONE WHO IS DEDICATED
MOST OF MY CAREER TO WORKING ON
DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS, SUCH AS
JUVENILE JUSTICE, HOMELESSNESS,
POVERTY AND FOSTER CARE, IT
FEELS INCREDIBLY REWARDING TO BE
INVOLVED IN AN UPSTREAM
INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON PREVENTING
PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY START. IN
THE EARLY 1990s I HAD THE
PRIVILEGE WORKING AS A CHAPLAIN
IN AN ALL BOYS SECTION OF THE
JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER .
DURING MY TIME THERE, I
ENCOUNTERED A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS
ONLY 12 OR 13 YEARS OLD. HE HAD
BEEN INCARCERATED FOR AN
UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT INVOLVING
JUMPING ANOTHER STUDENT WITH HIS
FRIENDS. REGRETTABLY, THE IMPACT
OF THIS ACT WAS DEVASTATING. THE
STUDENT SUSTAINED A SEVERE HEAD
INJURY AND TRAGICALLY LOST HIS
LIFE. THAT DAY, MULTIPLE YOUNG
LIVES WERE SHATTERED, AND THE
YOUNG MAN I MET WAS AMONG THEM.
IN HIS LETTER TO THE JUDGE, HE
EXPRESSED HIS REMORSE AND THE
PROFOUND IMPACT HIS ACTIONS HAD
ON HIS LIFE. HE CANDIDLY SHARED
HIS STRUGGLES AS THE YOUNGEST OF
TWO CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIS
GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS STRUGGLING
TO MAKE ENDS MEET. EXPRESSED HIS
ASPIRATIONS OF BECOMING A
FOOTBALL PLAYER, BUT NOW HE
ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEVASTATING
CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS,
REALIZING HE NOT ONLY RUINED HIS
OWN LIFE, BUT ALSO TAKEN THE
LIFE OF ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON.
THIS YOUNG MAN IS JUST ONE OF
MANY YOUTH I HAVE WORKED WITH
WHO HAD ALREADY LOST THEIR WAY
BY THE TIME THEY REACHED MIDDLE
SCHOOL. THIS LEVY HOLDS IMMENSE
SIGNIFICANCE FOR ME BEYOND
SPEECHES AND SLIDE DECKS. IT
REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SAVE LIVES AND PROVIDE YOUNG
PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH
THE RESOURCES THEY NEED EARLY ON
. BY DOING SO, WE CAN PREVENT
THEM FROM EVER HAVING TO WRITE A
LETTER TO A JUDGE EXPRESSING
THEIR DEEPEST REGRETS. I
SINCERELY INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE
MAYOR AND ME IN THIS UPSTREAM
INITIATIVE BY ENSURING THAT
EVERY CHILD IS READY TO START,
READY TO LEARN AND READY TO
LAUNCH INTO ADULTHOOD. BY
WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A
LASTING IMPACT AND CREATE A
BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO JUMP INTO
SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS AT A
HIGH LEVEL, AND THEN WE WILL GO
DEEPER AS I MOVE ON. READY TO
START IS ALL ABOUT IMPACTING THE
LIVES OF CHILDREN FROM PRENATAL
TO THREE. REMEMBER THAT VISUAL
WE LOOKED AT OF UPSTREAM AND
DOWNSTREAM WORK. THIS IS ALL
UPSTREAM WORK, BECAUSE RESEARCH
SUGGESTS THE MOST CRITICAL YEARS
OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OCCUR
DURING PREGNANCY IN THE FIRST
THREE YEARS OF LIFE. THE READY
TO LEARN BUCKET FOCUSES ON OUR
PART IN ENSURING THAT STUDENTS
ARE SAFE, HEALTHY AND READY TO
LEARN. WE DO THIS BY INVESTING
IN ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT
SUPPORTS, AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER
PROGRAMS, AND OUR HEALTH
INVESTMENTS. FINALLY, THE READY
TO LAUNCH BUCKET, BEFORE I GET
INTO THAT, I WILL TELL YOU THAT
I AM A MOTHER OF THREE AND
GRANDMOTHER OF THREE, EVEN
THOUGH I KNOW I DO NOT LOOK A
DAY PAST 25. MY HUSBAND AND I
GREW UP IN LESS THAN IDEAL
ENVIRONMENTS AND WERE DETERMINED
TO GIVE OUR KIDS EVERYTHING THEY
NEEDED TO SUCCEED. EVEN WITH
THAT, WE STILL WORRY ABOUT THEIR
ABILITY TO EVERY DAY. THIS
INVESTMENT AREAS ENSURES WE CAN
GIVE AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AS
POSSIBLE RESOURCES NEEDED TO
LAUNCH INTO ADULTHOOD AND BE
PREPARED FOR LIFE. I WANT TO
TAKE ANOTHER MOMENT TO NOTE THAT
THESE UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS ARE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN
SEATTLE'S FUTURE LEADERS AND
RESIDENTS. RESEARCHERS MANY
YOUNG ADULTS ARE LEAVING HIGH
SCHOOL WITHOUT THE SKILLS NEEDED
TO THRIVE AS ADULTS. AS A
SOCIETY, WE ARE EITHER GOING TO
INVEST EARLY OR PAY HIGHER COSTS
ON THE BACKEND. ONE DOLLAR
INVESTED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
HEALS UP TO A $16 RETURN VIA
INCREASE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
GRADUATION RATES. ONE DOLLAR
INVESTED IN QUALITY OUT OF
SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS LIKE
AFTERSCHOOL OR SUMMER LEARNING
YIELDS A NINE DOLLAR BENEFIT IN
SOCIETAL BENEFITS, INCLUDING
REDUCED CRIME, INCREASED
EARNINGS AND BETTER HEALTH
OUTCOMES. A YOUNG WOMAN SPOKE AT
THE MAYOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE
LAST ME. FOR THOSE OF US THAT
WERE THERE, REMEMBER THIS. SHE
SHARED THE STORY OF HER AND HER
BROTHER, BOTH OF WHOM ARE
SEATTLE PROMISED SCHOLARS AND
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE
GRADUATES. SHE SPOKE ABOUT HER
HARD-WORKING PARENTS WHO WORK
LONG HOURS EACH WEEK CLEANING
HOTEL ROOMS TO PROVIDE A BETTER
LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AS SHE
RECOUNTED HER FAMILY AT THIS
JOURNEY, I WAS DEEPLY MOVED AND
HUMBLED BY THE DETERMINATION OF
HER AND HER BROTHER TO SEIZE THE
OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN TO THEM.
THEIR HARD WORK IS ALTERING THE
COURSE OF THEIR FAMILY HISTORY
FOR THE BETTER. IT DEMONSTRATES
THAT WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE
PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY
RESOURCES, THEY HAVE THE
POTENTIAL TO FLOURISH, NOT ONLY
FOR THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS. GENERATIONAL
IMPACTS, THAT IS THE VISION OF
THIS LEVY. IF WE DO OUR PART
WITH OUR SYSTEM PARTNERS, AS
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA SPOKE ABOUT
IN THE BEGINNING, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, ET CETERA, WE CAN
TRULY IMPACT THE CITY, STATE,
AND ULTIMATELY, THE COUNTRY.
THIS IS HOW STRONG SOCIETIES ARE
BUILT, UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS.
WHEN DEVELOPING THIS PACKAGE, WE
ASKED OURSELVES THREE MAIN
QUESTIONS. WHAT NEEDS TO BE
SUSTAINED, WHAT SHOULD WE
EXPAND, AND WHAT NEW INVESTMENTS
ARE REQUIRED? UNDER WHAT NEEDS
TO BE SUSTAINED, WE DETERMINED
EARLY ON THAT ARE HIGH-LEVEL
STRATEGIES OF EARLY LEARNING
K-12 SUPPORTS IN COLLEGE AND
CAREER READINESS ARE STILL THE
RIGHT FOCUS . WE ALSO EXAMINED
OTHER CITY INVESTMENTS THAT
ALIGN WITH THE LEVY GOALS, AND
WE INCLUDED THEM TO ENSURE A
STABLE FUNDING SOURCE TO
MAXIMIZE PROGRAM COORDINATION
AND DRIVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR
SEATTLE YOUTH. AS THE CITY
GRAPPLES WITH AN UNCERTAIN
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND A REDUCTION
IN FEDERAL FUNDING, WE CAN
SAFEGUARD THESE CRITICAL
INVESTMENTS UNTIL 2032. NEXT WE
LOOKED AT WHAT PROGRAMS NEED TO
BE EXPANDED. THIS AREA ALLOWED
US TO ADDRESS EMERGING COMMUNITY
NEEDS, SUCH AS THE SIGNIFICANT
INCREASE IN INFANT AND TODDLER
CHILDCARE COSTS OVER THE PAST
DECADE. FOR FAMILIES WITH MORE
THAN ONE CHILD UNDER FIVE, CHILD
CARE COSTS MORE THAN HOUSING. IN
2024, CHILDCARE AWARE OF
WASHINGTON REPORTED THAT 40% OF
WASHINGTON PARENTS REPORTED
HAVING WITH THEIR JOBS OR BEING
FIRED DUE TO CHILDCARE
DISRUPTION. CHILDCARE ACCESS IS
IMPACTING HOUSEHOLD STABILITY
FOR SEATTLE FAMILIES. ANOTHER
AREA OF EMERGENT NEED WE ARE
RESPONDING TO IS USE MENTAL
HEALTH. WE KNOW YOUTH ARE
DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF
THE PANDEMIC AND CIVIL UNREST IN
RECENT YEARS, NOT TO MENTION THE
RISE OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS. THIS
LEVY RESPONSE TO THIS NEED.
FINALLY, WE IDENTIFIED NEW AREAS
OF INVESTMENT THAT WILL HELP
YOUTH PREPARE FOR THEIR CAREERS
AND THE FUTURE WORKFORCE NEEDS
OF OUR REGION. IN 2023 A
WASHINGTON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
COUNCIL REPORT ESTIMATED THAT
TRADES AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREERS
WILL ACCOUNT FOR 33% OF JOBS IN
WASHINGTON BY 2031. OUR PROPOSED
PATH TO TRADES PROGRAM IS AN
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR SEATTLE
GRADUATES. YOU ARE A TERRIBLE
POWERPOINT PERSON. [ LAUGHTER ]
THIS LEVY PROPOSES TO ADDRESS
THE CHILDCARE SHORTAGE . WE
PROPOSE ADDING 800 NEW CHILDCARE
SLOTS. THIS INITIATIVE WILL MORE
THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF
SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES,
RESULTING IN A TOTAL OF 1400
CHILDCARE SLOTS ANNUALLY. WE
ALSO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF TAKING GOOD CARE OF THE
INDIVIDUALS WHO PERFORM THIS
ESSENTIAL WORK. IN LIGHT OF
THIS, THE MAYOR HAS INTRODUCED A
PLAN TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT
TO 5000 CHILDCARE WORKERS. THESE
WORKERS PLAY A ROLE IN THE
SUCCESS OF THE CHILDREN THEY
CARE FOR. WE WANTED TO ENSURE
THAT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPRECIATED.
FINALLY, THIS PROPOSAL ALLOCATES
600 NEW SEATS TO THE SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, BRINGING THE
TOTAL NUMBER OF SLOTS ANNUALLY
TO 3100. IN THE READY TO LEARN
BUCKET, THIS LEVY E NEW SCHOOL-
CENTERS, BRINGING THE TOTAL
NUMBER OF CLINICS ACROSS THE
CITY TO 34. THESE CENTERS
PROVIDE STUDENTS A CONVENIENT
WAY TO ADDRESS THEIR HEALTH
CONCERNS WITHOUT DISRUPTING
THEIR SCHOOL SCHEDULE. THROUGH
THIS LEVY, WE AIM TO PROVIDE
MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES 250 1000 K-12 STUDENTS,
INCLUDING TELEHEALTH. FINALLY,
WE WILL MAINTAIN THE CURRENT
INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOL SAFETY
WHILE ALSO ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES TO ENHANCE SAFETY
WITHIN, AND AROUND, SCHOOLS. IN
THE READY TO LAUNCH BUCKET WE
WILL SUSTAIN OUR SUCCESSFUL
SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND
PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE TO EARN A FOUR-YEAR
DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON THROUGH THE PROGRAM,
OR OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS AND
APPRENTICESHIPS IN A SKILLS
TRADE. THIS IS A SIX YEAR, FEPP
-- $1.3 BILLION B WITH MOST
COSTS ALLOCATED TO THE START AND
LEARN CATEGORIES. THE HYPOTHESIS
IS THAT IF WE INVEST IN EARLY
YEARS, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE WELL
PREPARED TO LAUNCH INTO
ADULTHOOD AND WILL NEED FEWER
SUPPORTS LATER IN THEIR JOURNEY.
CIELO VOTERS HAVE CONSISTENTLY
SUPPORTED INVESTMENTS IN OUR
STUDENTS AND CHILDREN FOR OVER
THREE DECADES. WHILE WE
ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT OF
TAXPAYERS, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN
A LONG-TERM RETURN ON INVESTMENT
OF THESE PROGRAMS. DEEL, THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE AND CHAIR RIVERA
DEDICATED SIGNIFICANT TIME TO
IDENTIFY COST SAVINGS AND
PROGRAM EFFICIENCIES. THESE
EFFORTS LED TO A REDUCTION IN
THE ANTICIPATED PERCENT OF LEVY
PROCEEDS ALLOCATED FOR PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS.
CONSEQUENTLY, A LARGER PORTION
OF THE FUNDS WILL BE DIRECTLY
SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES. NOW I WILL TAKE YOU
THROUGH EACH INVESTMENT AREA AND
A LITTLE MORE DETAIL. READY TO
START. RESEARCH SHOWS
CHILDREN'S BRAINS DEVELOP THE
FASTEST BETWEEN BIRTH AND THE
AGE OF THREE. THE RELATIONSHIP
THEY FORM WITH CAREGIVERS IN THE
EARLY EXPERIENCES THEY HAVE,
BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE,
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF THEIR
BRAINS. THIS STRUCTURE SUPPORTS
LEARNING, BEHAVIOR AND OVERALL
WELL-BEING. HELPING CHILDREN
HAVE A STRONG START LEADS TO
GREATER SUCCESS THROUGHOUT THEIR
EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. LET'S LOOK
AT A HIGH LEVEL WHAT IS IN THESE
POCKETS. AS YOU CAN SEE, BE
READY TO START BUCKET INCLUDES
PRENATAL TO THREE SUPPORTS,
CHILDCARE FAMILY SUBSIDIES,
CHILDCARE WORKER SUPPORTS, AND
THE SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
FOR A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $658
MILLION. WE PLAN TO SERVE 750
CHILDREN ANNUALLY IN THE
PRENATAL TO THREE INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING HOME VISITING
PROGRAMS, SUCH AS PARENT-CHILD
BLAST AND NURSE FAMILY
PARTNERSHIP, WHICH PROVIDES
PARENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT,
ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST-TIME
PARENTS , AN EARLY SCREENING FOR
LEARNING CHALLENGES. 14,000
CHILDREN WILL BE SERVED AGED
ZERO THROUGH 12 ANNUALLY , OR
1400 WILL BE SERVED ANNUALLY,
THROUGH THE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. PROVIDER WORKER
SUPPORTS TO 5000 CHILDCARE
PROVIDERS ANNUALLY, AND SERVING
3100 CHILDREN IN THE NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED SPP PROGRAM. THE
READY TO LEARN INVESTMENTS ARE
FOCUSED ON ENSURING CHILDREN AND
YOUTH ATTEND SCHOOL FEELING
SAFE, HEALTHY AND PREPARE TO
LEARN. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT
THESE ENRICHMENTS AND ACADEMIC
SUPPORTS, COUPLED WITH HEALTH
AND SAFETY INVESTMENTS , ENHANCE
ATTENDANCE, EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE
WITH ESSENTIAL 21ST-CENTURY
SKILLS, AND ULTIMATELY
CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR OVERALL
SUCCESS. THIS SUITE OF
INVESTMENTS WILL BE FOR THE
DETAILED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN. ONCE APPROVED, A
COMPETITIVE PROCESS WILL BE
CONDUCTED, ALLOWING QUALIFIED
CBOS AND INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO
ACCESS THE FUNDS TO SUPPORT
YOUNG PEOPLE'S HEALTH, SAFETY
AND INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS BEFORE,
DURING AND AFTER SCHOOL HOURS.
THE INVESTMENT AREA UNDER READY
TO LEARN IS AROUND $506 MILLION
AND INCLUDES EXPANDED LEARNING
OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING AFTER
SCHOOL AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE,
TUTORING, MENTORING, SUMMER
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN
ESTIMATED 19,000 YOUTH ANNUALLY.
WHITNEY GELIN ALSO INCLUDES
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTS FOR
FAMILIES, SUCH AS FOOD ACCESS,
CONNECTIONS TO BASIC NEEDS,
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
SUPPORTS, AND SCHOOL SAFETY
EFFORTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PUBLIC HEALTH, WE WILL ESTABLISH
FIVE NEW SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH
CENTERS, BRINGING THE TOTAL
NUMBER TO 34 SITES CITYWIDE.
MENTAL HEALTH IS A SIGNIFICANT
ASPECT OF THIS PROPOSAL, AND
SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
51,000 SBS STUDENTS THROUGH THE
SCHOOL HEALTH CENTERS AND
TELEHEALTH OPTIONS. FURTHERMORE,
GIVEN THE RECENT SURGE IN
VIOLENCE IN, AND AROUND,
SCHOOLS, THIS LEVY RESPONSE TO
THE URGENT REQUEST OF STUDENTS,
TEACHERS, FAMILIES AND THE
COMMUNITY TO EXPAND ON EXISTING
SCHOOL SAFETY INVESTMENTS AND
DEDICATE DIGITAL RESOURCES TO
ENHANCE SAFETY IN, AND AROUND,
SCHOOLS. MOVING TO THE READY TO
LAUNCH BUCKET, RESEARCH REVEALS
, AGAIN, THE STUDENTS ARE NOT
PREPARED FOR COLLEGE AND LIFE
WHEN THEY LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS INVESTMENT AREA IS FOCUSED
ON ENSURING THAT ALL SBS
GRADUATES ARE WELL EQUIPPED TO
TRANSITION SEAMLESSLY INTO
COLLEGE, AND TO PURSUE CAREER
PATHWAYS OF THEIR CHOICE,
INCLUDING IN TRADES , TRADE
CAREERS LIKE WELDING, PLUMBING
AND CONSTRUCTION AND ELECTRICAL.
THIS IS AN 82 POINT 4 --
ENSURING FREE COLLEGE TUITION AT
SEATTLE COLLEGES FOR THE FIRST
TWO YEARS WITH THE GOAL OF
SERVING 1475 COLLEGE STUDENTS
ANNUALLY . FUNDING FOR THE UDUB
TRANSFER PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS
COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATES
CONTINUING THEIR STUDIES AT THE
UDUB, AND THE NEW PASTOR TRADES
PROGRAM, THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA, WHO WAS
VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS AND
BURST OF THIS FROM HER HEART,
AND THE NEW PASTOR TRADES
PROGRAM ACKNOWLEDGES THE MANY
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR
STUDENTS IN THE TRADES. THESE
INCLUDE HIGH PAYING UNION JOBS
THAT CAN FINANCIALLY TRANSFORM
THE LIVES OF MANY STUDENTS. AS
YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS A BOLD
PROPOSAL TO INVEST IN OUR
CHILDREN AND THE FUTURE OF OUR
CITY. I WILL NOW PASS IT TO
DOCTOR DIRECTOR CHAPELLE TO
SHARE MORE ABOUT HOW DEEL
DEVELOPED THE RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR THIS PROPOSAL. I TOLD HIM I
WASN'T GOING TO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU, DEPUTY MAYOR
WASHINGTON. THIS LEVY PROPOSAL
IS GROUNDED IN YEARS OF
LISTENING, LEARNING AND
REFLECTING ALONGSIDE OUR
COMMUNITY . THIS SLIDE
ILLUSTRATES THE DEPTH OF WORK ,
AND IT INFORMS WHERE WE INVEST
NEXT. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE
SOMETHING DEPUTY MAYOR
WASHINGTON SAID, BECAUSE IT
CAN'T BE OVERSTATED. THIS LEVY
THOUSANDS OF SEATTLE FAMILIES
WHO HAVE ENTRUSTED US WITH THEIR
MOST PRECIOUS GIFT. THAT IS
THEIR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. JUST
LAST WEEK, MAYOR HARRELL
REMINDED US THAT EDUCATION IS
THE PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE .
THIS PROPOSAL ISN'T SIMPLY
ABOUT FUNDING, IT IS ABOUT
GIVING EVERY CHILD IN SEATTLE
THE KEY TO UNLOCK THEIR OWN
POTENTIAL , THEIR OWN PASSPORT
TO A FUTURE WITHOUT LIMITS. THIS
VISION WASN'T BUILT IN
ISOLATION. OVER THE A JOURNEY.
CONDUCTED 26 FORMAL EVALUATIONS
. WE HAVE GATHERED OVER 10,000
SURVEY RESPONSES FROM STUDENTS,
FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS AND
ENGAGED WITH 88 FOCUS GROUPS. WE
HAVE MADE MORE THAN 2000 SITE
VISITS . EVERY STORY SHARED,
EVERY CHALLENGE IDENTIFIED,
EVERY SUCCESS CELEBRATED . THEY
ALL FIND THEIR PLACE IN OUR
PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU TODAY. IN
2024 WE WENT FURTHER. WE
CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT THAT COMBINED LOCAL
LIVED EXPERIENCES WITH NATIONAL
RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES
BEGINNING LAST JULY . WE HAD
INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH
OUR EXISTING IMPLEMENTATION
PARTNERS TO ASK THEM WHAT THEY
-- WHAT THEY ARE SEEING AS KEY
COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND HOW THE
SERVICES WE WERE FUNDING COULD
BE IMPROVED. WE HEARD
CONSISTENTLY THE NEED FOR
INVESTMENTS REFLECTED IN THIS
NEW RENEWAL PROPOSAL. NOW I WANT
TO TAKE A MOMENT TO WALK YOU
THROUGH WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM
NOW THROUGH 2026 AS WE MOVE THIS
PROPOSAL FORWARD TOGETHER.
FOLLOWING THE SELECT COMMITTEE
PROCESS, THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE
SENDING THE LEVY TO THE NOVEMBER
BALLOT. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE
WILL BE ASKING VOTERS TO ONCE
AGAIN INVEST IN WHAT SEATTLE HAS
ALWAYS STOOD FOR, AND THAT IS
OPPORTUNITY, EQUITY, AND STRONG
FEATURES FOR OUR CHILDREN. IF
THE LEVY IS APPROVED BY VOTERS
THIS NOVEMBER, WE PLAN TO BRING
BACK A COMPREHENSIVE
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
PLAN IN EARLY 2026 . THAT IS
WHERE THE DEEPER WORK BEGINS .
TOGETHER WITH YOU , WE WILL
SHAPE THESE INVESTMENTS -- SHAPE
HOW THESE INVESTMENTS COME TO
LIFE IN OUR CLASSROOMS, IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO TRANSFORMING
THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH, BECAUSE
WHEN WE INVEST IN THEM, WE ARE
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF
SEATTLE. AND SO, AS WE STAND AT
THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT IN OUR
COUNTRY, I INVITE ALL OF US TO
TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT THE 2018 FEPP
LEVY HAS ACCOMPLISHED. AS WE
HAVE SHARED WITH COUNCIL ON
APRIL 10 , AND TO EMBRACE THE
EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY BEFORE
US TO RENEW THIS COMMITMENT FOR
ANOTHER SIX YEARS . SINCE 1990,
SEATTLE HAS NOT MERELY
PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORTING OUR
CHILDREN, WE HAVE LED . FOR OVER
THREE DECADES, I THINK
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA MENTIONED
THIS EARLIER, OUR CITY HAS
DEMONSTRATED WHAT'S POSSIBLE
WHEN A COMMUNITY INVESTS BOLDLY
AND CONSISTENTLY IN ITS YOUNGEST
RESIDENTS. WHAT BEGAN AS A LOCAL
INITIATIVE HAS GROWN INTO A
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MODEL OF
EXCELLENCE . ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
CHILDREN'S FUNDING PROJECT,
CITY HEALTH, AND THE NATIONAL
LEAGUE OF CITIES HAVE ALL
RECOGNIZED SEATTLE'S
COMPREHENSIVE CRADLE TO CAREER
APPROACH . THESE AREN'T JUST
ACCOLADES. THEY ARE AFFIRMATIONS
THAT WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.
AS I CLOSE, THIS PROPOSAL IS
MORE THAN A FUNDING PLAN, IT IS
A DECLARATION. A DECLARATION
THAT, IN SEATTLE, WE WILL ENSURE
EVERY CHILD IS READY TO START,
READY TO LEARN, AND READY TO
LAUNCH INTO A FUTURE THAT
REFLECTS THEIR POTENTIAL. LET'S
MEET THAT FUTURE WITH THE
COMMITMENT , CLARITY AND COURAGE
IT DESERVES. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, BEFORE
I TAKE QUESTIONS, I WANT TO
THANK DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON
AGAIN, DIRECTOR CHAPELLE AND HIS
TEAM AT DEEL, SOME OF WHOM ARE
IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, FOR THIS
PRESENTATION, AND FOR THE HARD
WORK THEY DID IMPLEMENTING THE
2018 LEVY THESE PAST YEARS. AND
FOR THE WORK THEY WILL BE DOING
IN TERMS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN, WHICH WILL NOT WAIT UNTIL
THE LEVY PASSES. THEY WILL BE
WORKING ON THIS FROM NOW THROUGH
THE PASSAGE OF THE LEVY AND INTO
NEXT YEAR. WE WILL BE COMING
BACK TO YOU ALL, AND I WILL BE
HAVING FURTHER CONVERSATIONS
WITH YOU ALL ABOUT THE
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. DEPUTY
MAYOR WASHINGTON, THANK YOU FOR
RAISING GARCIA'S NAME, THE
PROMISE STUDENT AT THE PRESS
CONFERENCE LAST WEEK THAT WE MET
. I AM SO PROUD OF THIS STUDENT.
SHE STARTED AS A PROMISE
STUDENT. SHE DID THE PATHWAY TO
UDUB, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON,
THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST
TIME THAT DEEL WAS AT THE TABLE.
SHE NOW HAS A JOB. SHE WILL BE
GRADUATING IN JUNE, AND SHE
ALREADY HAS A JOB AT AMAZON.
THIS IS PROFOUND.
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE
STUDENT. THE REASON -- AND YOU
SAID IT, AND THANK YOU FOR
ALWAYS SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES
, DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON. I TOO
FEEL A SOURCE OF PRIDE BECAUSE I
WAS THAT KID WHOSE PARENTS HAD
VERY LITTLE FORMER EDUCATION ,
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE , AND
MY PARENTS PUT ALL THEIR HOPES
AND DREAMS INTO MY GETTING AN
EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES,
BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE FROM
PUERTO RICO. WE ARE CITIZENS. IT
IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
CULTURE. PARENTS WANT THE BEST
FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AS YOU SO
APTLY PUT IT, DIRECTOR CHAPELLE
. I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE,
AND I KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE. I
KNOW THE PRIDE MY PARENTS HAD
WHEN, NOT ONLY DID I GET A
SCHOLARSHIP TO UNDERGRAD, I WENT
ON TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL, WHICH MY
PARENTS -- I MEAN, I REMEMBER MY
DAD SAYING TO MY MOM, WHERE DID
SHE GET THIS IDEA FROM? HE WAS
SO PROUD. I SAY THAT, NOT TO BE
SELF-SERVING, BUT TO SAY WHAT
HER EXPERIENCE IS STILL TODAY. I
AM A PERSON OF A CERTAIN AGE,
BUT STILL, TODAY THERE ARE SO
MANY STUDENTS SIMILARLY PLACED.
THE INVESTMENTS WE ARE MAKING IN
THE LEVY SINCE THE 90s ARE
MAKING A PROFOUND IMPACT ON
PEOPLE'S LIVES. A VERY PROFOUND
IMPACT THAT I THINK, YOU KNOW,
IT IS TO BE -- WE NEED TO BE
FOCUSED ON THIS. I REALLY WANTED
TO NAME HER. SHE IS PROBABLY NOT
WATCHING, AND I FEEL SO PROUD .
IN THAT MOMENT, IT REALLY
BROUGHT CHILLS. I AM SO GRATEFUL
FOR THE PROMISE INVESTMENT. I
ALWAYS SAY THAT THIS WAS THE
BRAINCHILD OF FORMER MAYOR
DURKIN . AND NOW, OF COURSE,
MAYOR HARRELL, WHO ALSO WAS VERY
INVOLVED IN THE 13th YEAR. THE
PARTNERSHIP OF A LOT OF PEOPLE
THAT REALLY BELIEVE IN THIS .
PROMISE IS A PROGRAM THAT REALLY
HAS AMAZING RESULTS. FOR
COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE, IT REALLY
MAKES A HUGE IMPACT. I AM VERY
GRATEFUL. I WAS SO HAPPY TO MEET
THIS YOUNG PERSON. COLLEAGUES,
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TALK
ALL ABOUT FATIMA. THIS SPECIAL
YOUNG WOMAN . ALL OUR KIDS ARE
SPECIAL AND ALL HAVE THE SAME
POTENTIAL. THEY JUST NEED HELP
TO GET THERE. THIS IS WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. EVERY
CHILD HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REACH
WHAT FATIMA AND I REACHED, AND
MANY OF US HERE, DEPUTY MAYOR,
DIRECTOR, ALL OF US. SOME KIDS
NEED MORE HELP THAN OTHERS, AND
THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
ALSO, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO
THINGS THAT THE DEPUTY MAYOR AND
DIRECTOR TALKED ABOUT THAT WERE
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF
US WHEN WE HAD CONVERSATIONS.
FIRST, THE PATHWAY TO TRADE.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL TO
ME. YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THAT I
AM THE DAUGHTER OF A WELDER
WHOSE GOOD UNION JOB WAS THE
REASON MY FAMILY COULD HAVE A
ROOF OVER OUR HEADS AND FOOD ON
THE TABLE. SECOND, ALONG THE
SAME LINES, THE SUPPORT FOR
CHILD CARE WORKERS. AS MANY OF
US KNOW, AND IT IS ACTUALLY VERY
FITTING, BECAUSE TODAY IS MAY
DAY, AS MANY OF US KNOW, LEAVING
YOUR CHILD WITH A CARETAKER CAN
BE DIFFICULT. YOU WANT TO KNOW
YOUR CHILD WILL BE SAFE, HAPPY,
ENGAGED AND GIVEN A GOOD
FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING.
CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ALSO PROVIDE
EDUCATION. WHEN I WAS PREPARING
FOR THIS LEVY, I SPOKE WITH
CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, PRESCHOOL
PROVIDERS, THE PROMISE STUDENTS
MET WITH THE CHANCELLOR AND A
LOT OF FOLKS, AND THE CHILDCARE
PROVIDER SPECIFICALLY SAID TO
ME, PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS THINK
OF US AS EDUCATORS, BUT WE ARE,
AND I AGREE. THE SEATTLE
CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PROVIDERS PLAY SUCH A LARGE ROLE
IN THE LIVES OF KIDS AND THE
FAMILIES WHO DEPEND ON THEM. BY
INVESTING IN THESE CHILDCARE
PROVIDERS, WE CAN RETAIN AND
ATTRACT THESE ESSENTIAL WORKERS
THAT ARE SUPPORTING OUR KIDS AND
WORKING FAMILIES. COLLEAGUES,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER KANDEL .
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR RIVERA.
THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME
AND GIVING ME THE INITIAL
BRIEFING. I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS.
I WON'T ASK ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS HERE, BECAUSE I NEED
TO DIG INTO THE DETAILS A LITTLE
BIT MORE. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF
REFLECTIONS. DEPUTY MAYOR
WASHINGTON, YOU MAY BE SET UP IN
MY SEAT STRAIGHTER TODAY
LISTENING TO YOUR WORDS. YOU ARE
ALWAYS A POWERFUL SPEAKER. I HAD
FORGOTTEN THAT YOU USED TO WORK
FOR DEEL. THE PASSION YOU HAVE
FOR THIS WORK CAME THROUGH IN
YOUR WORDS TODAY. IT REMINDED ME
THAT MEETING WITH YOU AND
DIRECTORSHIP L WAS MY LAST
IN-PERSON MEETING BEFORE THE
PANDEMIC STARTED. THE OFFICE
THAT IS NOW THE OFFICER
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. GOOD TO SEE
YOU BOTH HAVE A JOVIAL SENSE OF
HUMOR WITH EACH OTHER. I LIKE
YOUR POWERPOINT STYLE, JUST FOR
THE RECORD, DIRECTOR. SOME
THINGS YOU SAID WERE REALLY
IMPORTANT . THIS PROGRAM , AND
THESE PROGRAMS, THIS LEVY, IS
GEARED TO MAKE GENERATIONAL
IMPACTS. FROM THE ZERO TO THREE
MOST EXPANSIVE TIME OF YOUR
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT TO YOUR CAREER
READINESS IN THE PROMISE
PROGRAM. I HAVE TO GIVE A THANK
YOU, MUCH LIKE THE CHAIR DID, TO
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. FIRST , MY
FIRST INTERACTION WITH THE
PROMISE PROGRAM WAS AT THE STATE
WHEN I WORKED AT THE STATE
LEVEL. FOLKS LIKE
REPRESENTATIVE, SENATOR DAVID.
AT THE TIME, SENATOR JEMIMA PAUL
, AND MAYOR DURKIN. THIS IS A
VERY BIG -- THE PROMISE ASPECT
WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HER. IT IS
SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD
OF HER FOR. SHE DID A REALLY
GOOD JOB HERE. I WILL JUST SAY ,
REPEAT BACK WHAT I HEARD YOU
SAY. THESE PROGRAMS, IN THIS
LEVY, CREATES THE PASSPORT TO
THE FUTURE . THAT STARTS ZERO TO
THREE. I AM SO PROUD. I RAISED
MY HAND BECAUSE I WANTED TO
EXPRESS BACK THE PASSION I FELT
FROM YOU TODAY, DEPUTY MAYOR.
THIS IS SUCH CRITICAL WORK . IT
IS WORK WE WON'T NECESSARILY BE
ABLE TO SEE IN OUR LIFETIME,
BECAUSE THIS WILL CHANGE OVER
MANY GENERATIONS. WHERE LUCKY TO
HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS. I AM
EXCITED TO DIG INTO THE DETAILS
TO CONTINUE THESE IMPORTANT
PROGRAMS. I LOOK FORWARD TO
ASKING MY TOUGH QUESTIONS NEXT
TIME I SEE YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR
.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR. THANK YOU,
DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON. THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE. [ INAUDIBLE
] DIRECTOR DOCTOR, DOCTOR
DIRECTOR . I HAVE TO SAY IT BOTH
WAYS . IT IS LIKE BEING IN NATO.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH. YOU HAVE TO
DO BOTH. THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE . THANK YOU FOR
CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD IN THE
PAST. ALSO, TO MISTRESS SWIFT
AND . WELCOME TO THIS MEETING.
THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO SAY
, I WANTED TO COMMEND THE CHAIR
ON HER WORK RELATED TO THE
PASTOR TRADES PROGRAM. I'M NOT
SURE IF THE CLERKS WILL SUPPORT
THIS. THEY MAY CALL FOUL, BUT
CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO BE A
COSPONSOR OF THE PASTOR TRADES
PROGRAM -- PAST -- I AM A FIRST
GENERATION AMERICAN. FIRST
GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT. WHEN
I WENT TO BOSTON, IT WAS A BRAVE
NEW WORLD FOR ME. I RECOGNIZE
THOSE POINTS . MY FATHER WAS A
WELDER . IMAGINE THE SMALL
WORLD. HE USED TO ALWAYS ASK ME,
AND I THINK DOCTOR DIRECTOR HAS
HEARD THIS, WHY DID I COME TO
AMERICA? MY ANSWER WOULD BE ,
BECAUSE HE TOLD ME WHAT IT WAS,
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION.
THAT IMPRINT, YOU CAN IMAGINE,
THE IMPACT OF THAT. I REALLY
WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR AND
EVERYONE FOR THE D4 -- PATH TO
TRADES. IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
TO SUPPORT THIS. EVERY PERSON IS
DIFFERENT. EVERY PERSON IS
UNIQUE. EVERY PERSON HAS THEIR
PATH . SOMETIMES IT IS MILITARY.
I MENTORED BY YOUNG SAILORS.
SOMETIMES THE FUTURE WOULD BE
MAYBE MORE TRADITIONAL COLLEGE,
OR THE TRADES. AS NOTED TODAY,
IT IS MAY 1. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF
THE BUILDING IN THE TRADES
WORLD, AND THE COMMUNITY, AND
THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO ENSURE
THAT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO
WORK TOGETHER FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT OF OUR CITY AND
COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IS
WELL SUPPORTED. I WANTED TO MAKE
A POINT ABOUT THAT . I ALSO
NOTE, PARTICULARLY GIVEN MY WORK
NOW, THAT IT IS ALSO A PATH,
PARTICULARLY FOR FIRE, BUT ALSO
POLICE, THAT SEATTLE PROMISE
PROGRAM CAN BE A GREAT GATEWAY
TO RECRUIT AND PULL PEOPLE FROM
THE COMMUNITIES FROM WHICH THEY
SERVE. THIS IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT. THAT COMBINATION WITH
PROGRAMS LIKE BEFORE THE BADGE
IS A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS. I KNOW
THERE IS A FORMAL PROGRAM WITH
FIRE IN TERMS OF CERTIFICATE OR
ASSOCIATES IN THE FUTURE, BUT
EVEN WITH POLICE, I THINK IT IS
A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS ACROSS ALL
FRONTS. IT IS A WIN WIN KIND OF
SITUATION. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT
POINT. I MENTIONED FIRST
GENERATION AMERICAN. I'M ALSO A
LATER IN LIFE DAD. FOR THOSE
THAT KNOW, I CAME TO THIS JOB
FROM BEING A STAY-AT-HOME DAD.
FROM THE READY TO START PROGRAM
, THAT PORTION OF THE BRIEFING,
I SAW FIRSTHAND GOT THAT LONG
AGO, BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS
STILL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE
IMPORTANCE OF ZERO TO FIVE AND
ZERO TO THREE. NO ONE COULD
ARGUE MY DAUGHTER HAD ME, BUT
STILL, I WAS VERY OBSERVANT. I
WOULD SEE THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
I SEE THE DIFFERENCES AND
CHALLENGES OF PEOPLE TO BE ABLE
TO DO THAT. I WAS QUITE
FORTUNATE TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME
DAD. DIFFERENT THINGS ALLOWED ME
TO DO THAT. MOST FAMILIES CAN'T.
IT HAS GOTTEN HARDER. IT IS A
HUGE STRAIN, FINANCIAL STRAIN,
AND ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE READY
TO START, YOU CAN'T FULLY
APPRECIATE THE ADVANTAGES , YOU
KNOW, THE HEADSTART THAT WE GIVE
CHILDREN BY INVESTING IN THOSE
EARLY YEARS. AS YOU NOTED, THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAIN IS SO
PRECIOUS. AND SO, I JUST WANTED
TO NOTICE THAT AND , FOR MY
RECENT EXPERIENCE, THE DIRECT
OBSERVATION HERE IN SEATTLE, IN
TERMS OF HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.
LAST THING, READY TO LEARN .
CLEARLY, I AM HERE AS CHAIR OF
PUBLIC SAFETY TO ENSURE THAT OUR
KIDS ARE LEARNING IN A SAFE
ENVIRONMENT. I KNOW THERE ARE
DIFFERENT THINGS IN PLAY. I AM
110% BEHIND THOSE PROGRAMS
WITHIN THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT
CONTEXT . I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE
FOR MY POSITION AS CHAIR OF
PUBLIC SAFETY. WITH THAT, CHAIR,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL
CHECK IN WITH THE CLERKS TO SEE
IF I COULD BE A COSPONSOR ON THE
PATH TO TRADES .
>> THANK YOU.
>> --
>> DIET COKE .
>> IT IS STARTING TO BECOME A
THING. MY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE TO
MY RIGHT .
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
I'VE ALREADY HAD A CONVERSATION
WITH CHANCELLOR ROSIE ABOUT
THIS. HOW CAN WE CREATE A PATH
TO, YOU KNOW, POLICE AS PART OF
AN EXPANSION OF WHAT WE HAVE
ALREADY DONE WITH FIRE? MORE
CONVERSATIONS ON THAT, FOR SURE.
THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH .
>> THANK YOU. SORRY , I FORGOT I
RAISED MY HAND. BUT I DID. I
APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU, CHAIR. I
WILL BE SUPERQUICK. I COULD GO
DOWN THE LINE. I WANT TO SAY TO
THE EXPERTS, THANK YOU TO THE
EXPERTS FOR BEING HERE. ONE OF
THE THINGS -- I APPRECIATE ALL
THE BRIEFINGS YOU ALL HAVE
BROUGHT WITH BEING VERY THOROUGH
AND INFORMATIONAL AND HAVING ALL
THIS INFORMA. ONE OF THE
THINGS I WAS HAPPY TO SEE, AND
WE'VE MADE INVESTMENTS, IS THE
AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS,
WHICH IS SO INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT. THE ONE THING I WANT
TO HAMMER HOME IS THAT IT IS
SUPER CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE, FOR
OUR KIDS, TO GET CAUGHT UP IN
DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT ARE
NOT POSITIVE AND ENGAGING AND
CONNECTIVE. I KNOW WE HAVE MADE
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN OUR
AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM.
I ALSO WANT TO HAMMER HOME THAT
WE MAKE IT SUPER EASY AND
CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE
TO FIND , YOU KNOW, THESE
PROGRAMS AND THINGS. I'M ALWAYS
TALKING TO KIDS. THEY'RE ALWAYS
HUNTING FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.
THEY ARE REALLY SMART AND
ENGAGING. JUST MAKING IT
COMPLETELY OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE
FOR STUDENTS, JUST BECAUSE WE
LIVE IN SUCH A GREAT TECHNOLOGY
WORLD, AND THEY CAN FIND
EVERYTHING ON THEIR PHONE. THAT
WAS ONE OF THE REFLECTIONS I
HAD. I ALSO WANTED TO HAMMER
HOME, AND WILL CONTINUE TO, THE
FOOD PIECE IN THE SUMMER IS
GOING TO BE SUCH A CRITICAL
COMPONENT. YOU ALL KNOW THAT.
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CUTS IN
OUR FOOD BANK AND FOOD MEAL
SECTOR RIGHT NOW. SUMMER IS
GOING TO BE -- IT IS GOING TO BE
A CLIFF FOR SOME FOLKS,
UNFORTUNATELY. JUST WANTED TO
HAMMER THAT HOME. I KNOW THERE
ARE ENGAGEMENTS AND PROGRAMS
INTO FOOD. THAT IS GOING TO BE
SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT FOR
KIDS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I
REALLY APPRECIATE THE PATH TO
TRADES. THANK YOU, CHAIR , CHAIR
RIVERA, FOR THAT. WHEN -- I
ALWAYS TALK ABOUT BLACK
COMMUNITY AND WEALTH AND
MOBILITY FOR US . ONLY 2% OF THE
WORKFORCE FOR THE TRADES ARE
BLACK. THERE IS SUCH AN AMAZING
OPPORTUNITY FOR , YOU KNOW, OUR
COMMUNITY TO GET INTO WORKING AT
SUPPORT OR UTILITIES , PARTS
DEPARTMENT. ALL THESE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING WITH
YOUR HANDS, I THINK, THE WAY TO
UPWARD MOTILITY/ -- MOBILITY. I
THINK IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT. I WANTED TO HAMMER
THAT HOME. I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW
THAT. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
WORK ON THIS, AND THE
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS FOR THIS
LEVY. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE
CREDIBLE. THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH. I KNOW WE HAD
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS
IMPORTANT PIECE, AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAMS AND T NIGHTS . WE
STARTED TEAM -- TEEN NIGHT AT
MADISON PARK. THE FOOD PIECE IS
REALLY IMPORTANT AS PART OF THIS
WORK. KIDS NEED TO BE WELL FED
SO THEIR BRAINS ARE WORKING FOR
THEM. THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
PIECE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY. IN TERMS OF THE
TRADES, THESE ARE REALLY GREAT ,
TOP PAYING, UNION BENEFITED
JOBS. WE DEFINITELY WANT KIDS TO
KNOW THERE IS A GREAT OPTION FOR
THEM . YOU KNOW, TRADES ARE
UNDERREPRESENTED RIGHT NOW.
THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN THE
TRADES RIGHT NOW. THIS IS REALLY
PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT
WENT INTO THIS. YOU WERE VERY
SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON .
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I REPEAT
THE THANK YOUS, ET CETERA. I
WILL NOTE THAT, KNOWING HOW
CLOSELY DEPUTY MAYOR , YOU HAVE
BEEN WORKING WITH CHAIR RIVERA,
GIVES ME AN EXTRA DOSE OF
CONFIDENCE GOING FORWARD ON
THIS. THIS IS MY FOURTH PROPERTY
TAX LEVY BIG LIFT. I HAVE TO
SAY, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION,
THIS IS THE ONE I HAVE BEEN
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST. I
DO BELIEVE, SOFT SPOT MAYBE,
THAT THE IMPACT IS PROFOUND.
EVERYBODY HAS TALKED ABOUT
ALREADY THE GENERATIONAL IMPACT,
ET CETERA, BUT WHEN I THINK
ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT
NOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT
GENERATIONS TO SEE THE IMPACT
AND SEE HOW NEEDED THIS IS. WITH
THE THREATS OF FEDERAL CUTS
COMING DOWN, YOU KNOW, JUST A
RING IN THIS DIRECTION, BUT FOR
MY OFFICE, I AM LOOKING AT
COLUMBIA TOWER WHERE HUMAN
SERVICES, THE OFFICE WAS CLOSED.
THOSE ARE IMPACTS RIGHT NOW.
THAT WILL IMPACT -- THAT
INCREASES THE NEED FOR THE WORK
, THE BENEFITS THIS LEVY WILL
PROVIDE. I WANTED TO NOTE THAT
IT IS RIGHT NOW. BEYOND THAT, I
HAVE A QUESTION. I SERVE ON THE
BOARD OF HEALTH , KING COUNTY
BOARD OF HEALTH. ALSO, ON THE
GOVERNING BOARD . ONE THING THAT
KEEPS COMING UP OVER AND OVER
AGAIN IS PREVENTION . ADDICTION
PREVENTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. I
HAVE VISITED THE INTER-AGENCY
RECOVERY SCHOOL . THAT IS JUST
ONE HIGH SCHOOL. I KNOW THE
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS YET TO
HAPPEN, BUT THE HEALTH CENTERS
ARE GOING TO BE EXPANDED BY
FIVE, I UNDERSTAND. IS THERE
NOW, OR IS THERE ANY THINKING,
ABOUT INTEGRATING SOME
PREVENTION, DRUG PREVENTION , OR
EVEN RECOVERY, INTO THOSE
FACILITIES OR SERVICES?
>> YES. WE HAVE TO. IF WERE
GOING UPSTREAM TO PREVENT THE
THINGS WE ARE SEEING ON THE
STREETS RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TO. I
WILL PAUSE AND TURN TO DEEL
STAFF. I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS
OF WORK WE DO RIGHT NOW IN THAT
AREA.
>> THAT IS A COMMON TOPIC OF
HEALTH EDUCATION, WHICH IS A
SERVICE OF THE EXISTING
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. IF
A PATIENT PREVENT -- PRESENTS
WITH SUBSTANCE
PART OF THE EXISTING SERVICE. I
AGREE IT IS A TOPIC WE CAN LOOK
AT MORE CLOSELY TO ENSURE THAT
STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING THAT
INFORMATION BEFORE IT IS A
PROBLEM .
>> WE WILL MAKE SURE IT IS
VISIBLE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN . I AM SURE THE CHAIR WILL
TALK TO YOU FOR THE. A VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT WE SHOULD
GET AHEAD OF INTO A DOWNWARD
SPIRAL. I APPRECIATE YOU
CONTINUING TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR
TREATMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
TAKING MY QUESTION. I WANT TO
NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT TALKING
ABOUT, THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON
DRUGS SORT OF EDUCATION. ISSUED
ALSO, PREVENTION OF OVERDOSE,
WHICH INCLUDES RECOVERY SUPPORTS
IN HIGH SCHOOL.
>> I WILL SAY, AS A PARENT OF A
HIGHSCHOOLER AT SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, THAT THE SCHOOL-BASED
HEALTH CENTERS DO A GREAT JOB
WHEN KIDS GO FOR COUNSELING. THE
IDENTIFY IF THERE IS A SUBSTANCE
USE PROBLEM. THEY OFFER
TREATMENT TO THE KIDS. I KNOW
THAT IS HAPPENING. I SEE TED
HOWARD NODDING, BECAUSE HE IS
HERE FROM SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. THIS IS SOMETHING THE
SCHOOLS TAKE SERIOUSLY, AND THAT
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS,
CLINICIANS, ARE THERE TO
SUPPORT. THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
THE SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS
IS FROM A TO Z ACROSS THE BOARD.
I KNOW, BECAUSE MY KIDS '
FRIENDS UTILIZE THE SERVICES.
THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT THAT
GOES IN. MY KIDS HAVE HEARD OF
-- THESE SCHOOLS ARE REALLY
SMALL. EVERYBODY -- AND ALSO,
THIS GENERATION IS A LITTLE
DIFFERENT. THEY REALLY SUPPORT
EACH OTHER IN WAYS THAT , AGAIN,
I AM OLDER, WE DID NOT SUPPORT
EACH OTHER, IT MAY BE, AS WELL.
MAYBE IT IS COVID, GOING THROUGH
THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, BUT THERE
IS A LOT OF SUPPORTING OF EACH
OTHER. KIDS KNOW, CONSIDER
HAVING SOME ISSUES , AND THE
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS ARE
DOING A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. WE
DEFINITELY WILL CONTINUE THIS
CONVERSATION. THAT IS NOT TO SAY
WE WON'T CONTINUE THAT
CONVERSATION. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> FIRST OFF, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
AS THE CHAIR OF THE CITY
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AS THE
UNAPOLOGETIC KING OF POTHOLES, I
AM VERY -- IT BREAKS MY HEART TO
HEAR THAT THIS IS YOUR FAVORITE
LEVY, BUT I -- MULTIPLE COMPLEX
THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME
TIME. FOR ME, I FIND THE UNIQUE
ELEMENTS OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN
THIS EDUCATION I LOVE. I VIEW IT
AS COEQUAL IMPORTANCE TO THE
TRANSPORTATION LEVY. ALL THAT
SAID, I WANT TO THANK YOU,
DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON . REALLY
APPRECIATE THIS OVERVIEW
PRESENTATION. I LEARNED MORE
ABOUT YOU THAT I HAD THE
PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH YOU,
AND I'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT YOU
IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF
THIS CONVERSATION.
>> THE GRANDKIDS THROUGH OFF.
>> DON'T CRACK. I HAVE NEVER
BEEN MORE IMPRESSED. [ LAUGHTER
] AND INSPIRED . I WILL JUST SAY
THAT , I WILL ADD THAT , IN THE
SPIRIT OF EDUCATION , I NOTE
THAT YOU AND I SHARE A COMMON --
AN ALUMNI AFFILIATION WITH THE
BEST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON. GO ROYALS. ROYAL
POWER OVER HERE. WE SHARE THAT
IN COMMON. ALSO NOTE, IN THE
SPIRIT OF UPLIFTING EDUCATION,
AND IN THIS CASE, A SPECIFIC
INSTITUTION, POINT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE, MADAME CHAIR, WE HAVE
ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL CONTRACT
SECURITY GUARDS. WE HAVE ,
COLLEAGUES, HE LEADS CITY HALL
OR SECOND-FLOOR SECURITY . ALSO
A PROUD ALUM. WE OUT HERE, ROYAL
POWER. IN ANY EVENT, DIRECTOR
DOCTOR CHAPPELLE , IN MY MIND,
THAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE
TITLE FOR YOU. IN THIS BODY, PHD
IS A VERY PRESTIGIOUS AND ELITE
TITLE, BUT YOU ARE IN THIS BODY
IN YOUR CAPACITY AS A CITY
OFFICIAL. NOT MANY DEPARTMENT
HEADS. IPA FOR TWO -- I PREFER
TO LEAD WITH THE MOST SENIOR
TITLE. THAT IS WHAT YOU PREFER
TO CALL YOU DIRECTOR DOCTOR
CHAPPELLE. ALSO, MIGHT I SAY,
THAT IS A VERY ROBUST HALF
WINDSOR TILE YOU HAVE ON. MAYBE
WENT FOR THE FULL WINDSOR. COOL
TIE. IN ANY EVENT, THIS IS A
GREAT INITIAL OVERVIEW . MORE
CONVERSATIONS ON THE WAY.
APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP
BEHIND THE SCENES . GETTING ME
UP TO SPEED. FINALLY, IN THE
SPIRIT OF THANKS, I JUST WANT TO
THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR, FOR
YOUR COLLABORATION AND
PARTNERSHIP IN THIS JOURNEY SO
FAR . WE ARE AT THE EARLY PUBLIC
STAGES, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING
A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES
MEETING WITH ALL OF US ON AN
INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND REPORTING
ON SHARING INFORMATION,
UNDERSTANDING PRIORITIES. IT IS
A LOT OF WORK. I APPRECIATE YOUR
LEADERSHIP . IT IS AN ABSOLUTE
PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO LEAD AND
SHEPHERD THIS PROCESS FROM A
COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE ONCE IT
OFFICIALLY ENDS UP IN OUR COURT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU'VE BEEN
DOING A GREAT JOB. LOOK FORWARD
TO CONTINUING THIS WORK
ALONGSIDE YOU AND UNDER YOUR
LEADERSHIP. ALSO, THANK YOU FOR
SHARING MORE FOR YOUR PERSONAL
JOURNEY SO PUBLICLY. EVERYONE
HERE. IT IS INSPIRING.
COLLEAGUES, YOU ALL KNOW I TOO
HAVE MADE NO SECRET. I TALK
OPENLY ABOUT MY PERSONAL JOURNEY
, PARTICULARLY IN CHILDHOOD, AS
SOMEONE WHO IS OVERCOME THE
FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. SOMEONE WHO
IS THE PROUD SON OF A NIGERIAN
IMMIGRANT. SOMEONE -- IT IS
HISTORICALLY IN AGRICULTURAL AND
WAREHOUSING DISTRICT. THAT IS
WHAT RUNS THE ECONOMY. MY DAD
ENDED UP RAISING ME AS A SINGLE
PARENT, RESCUING ME FROM THE
FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. WE STRUGGLED
GROWING UP. WE DIDN'T HAVE SOME
OF THESE ROBUST PROGRAMS IN THE
TRADES . WE STRUGGLED GROWING
UP. HE WAS A WAREHOUSE WORKER. A
FRONTLINE WAREHOUSE WORKER . NOW
THERE IS A BIG FANCY AMAZON THE
FILAMENT CENTER , THE CROWN
JEWEL OF THE WAREHOUSING
DISTRICT IN THE VALLEY. BEFORE ,
AND AFTER IT IS GONE, IT IS
SOMETHING ELSE. THE CITY ALWAYS
HAS BEEN, AND ALWAYS WILL BE A
WAREHOUSING DISTRICT. MY FATHER
WAS A FRONTLINE WAREHOUSE
WORKER. I BENEFITED FROM MANY OF
THESE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES . YOU
KNOW, I KNOW FIRSTHAND . LIKE I
HAVE SAID IN THE PAST, I KNOW
WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GO TO SCHOOL
FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF
RECEIVING SERVICES AND SUPPORT ,
WHETHER THAT IS MEALS, OTHER
HELP . FOR THE SECONDARY PURPOSE
OF BUT MAYBE I WILL LEARN
SOMETHING AND GET AN EDUCATION.
THOSE EXPERIENCES REALLY
COMPELLED ME AND DROVE ME TO DO
BETTER FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO MAKE
SURE MORE PEOPLE FROM
DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS AND
COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE AND
ACHIEVE THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL AND
MAKE SURE MORE PEOPLE END UP AT
THESE TABLES AND BEHIND THIS
DAIS. IN ANY EVENT, ALSO, I NOTE
THAT AT LEAST ONE OF MY ELECTED
OFFICIALS , COLLEAGUES, AND
ACTUALLY IF YOU CONSTITUENTS,
HAVE LET ME KNOW ABOUT, KIND OF
, WHEN I TALK SO OPENLY ABOUT
THIS AND CANDIDLY ABOUT MY
BACKGROUND AND JOURNEY AND THE
IMPACT, SOMETIMES A SAD THING .
THIS IS MY STORY AND EXPERIENCE.
WHAT I HEARD FROM YOUR STORY,
DEPUTY MAYOR, FROM YOUR STORY,
CHAIR RIVERA, IT IS NOT A SAD
STORY. THIS IS A STORY OF
TRIUMPH . IT IS A STORY OF
RESILIENCE. THE STORY OF
STRENGTHS. IT IS A STORY OF
COMMUNITY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT .
>> SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE. THIS
PACKAGE WE HAVE BEFORE US THAT
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE BETTER IS
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HELP
BRING ALL THOSE THINGS I JUST
SAID TO LIFE. LET ME BE CRYSTAL
CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT MY
TRY -- PRIORITIES. AND SAY WHAT
I MEAN AND MEAN WHAT I SAY. THE
SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE, BUT MY
PRIORITIES FOR THIS PERTAIN TO
THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
COMPONENT OF THIS . THAT
INCLUDES PAYING CHILD CARE
WORKERS FAIRLY . TO THE
THEY ARE OVERWORKED. THEY ARE
EDUCATORS, BUT THEY ALSO DO MORE
THAN JUST -- I WANT TO SAY JUST
EDUCATION, BECAUSE -- BUT THEY
DO SO MUCH. WE ENTRUST THEM WITH
THE HIGHEST RESPONSIBILITY THAT
ANY PARENT CAN GIVE ANYONE.
PLEASE TAKE CARE AND LOOK AFTER
MY CHILD WHILE I GO WORK, WHILE
I GO SEEK TREATMENT, WHILE I GO
SEEK SERVICES. THAT IS THE
HIGHEST TRUST TO KEEP US SAFE.
BUT WE PAY THEM PENNIES. THEY
ARE SUFFERING. MANY IN POVERTY.
ABJECT POVERTY. TRIED TO UPLIFT
THE VOICES OF BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES. AND WOMEN WHO PUT
THEIR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY ON THE LINE DURING COVID
TO UNLOCK SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES
FOR WORKING FAMILIES, INCLUDING
MINE. MANY, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE
NOT REPRESENTED BY A UNION OF
ANY SORT. THAT MEANS THEY NEED
MORE HELP AND SUPPORT. I AM
LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO DO
THAT. I LIKE THE KING COUNTY
PILOT PROGRAM. I WANT TO MAKE
SURE THIS LEVY INCLUDES SIMILAR
APPROPRIATE FUNDING TO ALLOW US
TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR AND TAKE
GOOD CARE AND LOOK AFTER.
BECAUSE LOW WAGES COMPOUNDED
WITH AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN THE
CITY, IT IS NOT A GOOD FORMULA.
WHEN CHILDCARE WORKERS DOING THE
HARD WORK ARE PAID FAIRLY,
WORKING FAMILIES AND ALL OF US
BENEFIT TOO. NEXT THING I WILL
BE FOCUSED ON FOR THIS IS
EXPANDING THE SEATTLE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM , EXPANDING INVESTMENTS
IN CHILDCARE, FAMILY SUBSIDIES
AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
SERVICES AND SUPPORT. IDEAL
STATE, IN UTOPIA, WHICH IS IS
NOT, I WOULD LOVE TO GET TO A
POINT WHERE WE PASS A UNIVERSAL
PRESCHOOL FOR ALL TYPE PROGRAM,
SIMILAR TO NEW YORK CITY. THIS
IS NOT THE FUNDING VEHICLE TO DO
THAT. I RECOGNIZE THAT. BUT WE
DO NEED TO MAKE BETTER, MORE
URGENT, PROGRESS TO PUT US IN A
POSITION TO DO EXACTLY THAT. ALL
THE DATA AND EVIDENCE AND
RESEARCH CITED EARLIER IN YOUR
PRESENTATION, DEPUTY MAYOR, IS
ABSOLUTELY TRUE. WE KNOW THE
FRONTLINE INVESTMENTS , NOT TO
TAKE AWAY FROM ALL THE TEENAGE
KIND OF THINGS , THE GREAT
PROGRAMS WE ALREADY HAVE, WE
KNOW THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE MOST
IMPACTFUL THING WE CAN DO TO
CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES IN TERMS
OF CAREER TRAJECTORY, HIGH
SCHOOL COMPLETION, COLLEGE
GRADUATION RATES, AVOIDING
SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE . SO
MUCH MORE. WE COULD BE UP HERE
FOR DAYS IF WE KICKS OFF THE
RESEARCH. IN ANY EVENT, AND A
HIGH LEVEL, AND PAIRED WITH THE
REALITIES THAT SORRY, I AM
ALMOST DONE, PAIRED WITH THE
REALITIES THAT THE CURRENT TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION IS DEFUNDING THE
FEDERAL HEAD START PROGRAM ,
CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD, IMPACTING
OUR MOST HONORABLE . WORKERS
RELY ON HEADSTART. CHILDREN IN
NEED. IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP
TO ME. WE CAN'T BE ALL THINGS
TO ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES. BUT
WE DO NEED TO STEP UP AND DO
SOMETHING. I AM LOOKING FORWARD.
I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED AND
INVIGORATED AT OUR COLLECTIVE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT. IN
ANY EVENT, I WILL STOP THERE.
ALL THIS TO SAY, THANK YOU ALL,
AGAIN. REALLY APPRECIATE THIS
CONVERSATION. MORE TO COME.
THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR .
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK .
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I THINK I
JOIN THE CHORUS OF MY COLLEAGUES
WHEN SAYING THIS IS SOMETHING TO
BE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. THIS IS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN
YOUNG PEOPLE AND WORKING
FAMILIES BUT I CANNOT BE MORE
EXCITED TO WORK ON THIS LEVY
RENEWAL WITH YOU ALL THIS YEAR.
I JUST HAVE THREE QUICK
QUESTIONS FOR TODAY. STARTING
OFF, FOR CONTRACTORS WHO MAY BE
UNDER CONTRACT WITH DEEL THROUGH
THE EXISTING FEPP LEVY, WILL
THERE BE AN OVERALL
REPROCUREMENT PROCESS, OR DO YOU
EXPECT ANY CONTRACTS TO ROLL
OVER ASSUMING THIS IS RENEWED?
>> WE HAVE A PROCUREMENT
PROCESS. I HAVE TO REMEMBER
EVERY TIME , THE CURRENT LEVY IS
THROUGH MID-2026 . THE CURRENT
CONTRACTS GO THROUGH MID-2026.
AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS
APPROVED BY YOU ALL, THEN WE
WILL PUT THE NEXT SET OUT FOR
COMPETITIVE BID.
>> FABULOUS. THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT, IN REGARDS TO THE
READY START PROGRAM, WE WOULD
LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHILD
CARE SUBSIDIES AND WORKER
SUPPORTS. WE ARE AWARE OF THE
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR WORKING
FAMILIES WITH NONTRADITIONAL
SCHEDULES. WE ARE WONDERING IF
THERE IS ANY EXPANSION INTO THIS
ASPECT OF CHILDCARE , AND WHAT
KIND OF OUTREACH EFFORTS HAVE
BEEN DONE IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
THIS PROGRAM TO FOLKS IN NEED OF
CHILDCARE AT NONTRADITIONAL
WORKING HOURS. I AM THINKING
ABOUT FOLKS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO
WORK AT THE PORT .
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION.
WE SHARED AT THE LAST COMMITTEE
MEETING THAT WE DO HAVE UPWARDS
OF 70 PROVIDERS ALREADY
PARTICIPATING IN THE CHILD CARE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT OFFERED
NONTRADITIONAL HOURS. I THINK
YOUR COMMENT SPEAK TO A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY AS WE DEVELOP THE
PATH TO TRADES PROGRAM TO
ESTABLISH NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH
EMPLOYERS. WE CAN LOOK AT A
WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH TO
PROMOTING ALL THE LEVY FAMILY
SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR NAMING
THAT .
>> MY LAST QUESTION IS RELATED
TO OUR OFFICE IS INTERESTED IN
GETTING A BETTER DETAILED COST
ASSUMPTION FOR THE FEPP LEVY.
WINK AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
GETTING US THESE DETAILS IN
WHICH THE LEVY WILL FUND TO
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES? WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE ITEMS
ARE ORGANIZED INTO LARGER
BUCKETS. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
HOW WE GOT TO ALL THE NUMBERS .
>> I WILL SHARE THIS COMMENT
WITH THE CHAIR BECAUSE THE
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN PROCESS.
STARTING TODAY, YOU ALL CAN
SUBMIT ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS
THAT DEAL AND THAT THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE WILL HAVE TO ANSWER. WE
ALREADY HAVE A QUESTION FROM
CENTRAL STAFF FOR A DEEPER LEVEL
OF BUDGET ANALYSIS. YOU CAN
EXPECT THAT TO BE PROVIDED
THROUGH THE ANSWER QUESTIONS
PROCESS. THE QUESTIONS HAVE
ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED. IT IS A
WORK IN PROGRESS. WERE NOT
ALLOWED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
PRIOR TO THE TRANSMITTAL OF THE
DOCUMENT. CHAIR, DO YOU WANT TO
ADD ANYTHING ELSE?
>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT, DEPUTY
MAYOR. FOLKS HAVE ALREADY
SUBMITTED QUESTIONS. THIS WAS
ONE OF THEM. WHAT HAPPENS IS,
THE CENTRAL STAFF -- I WAS GOING
TO GIVE HER A SHADOW AFTER THIS,
JASMINE WITH CENTRAL STAFF, IS
THE CENTRAL STAFF ARE WORKING ON
THIS WITH MY OFFICE. SHE IS
WORKING ON GETTING ANSWERS TO
THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
SUBMITTED IN THAT SPREADSHEET.
>> DID THAT ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION?
>> YES, IT DID. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. THAT CONCLUDES MY
QUESTIONS. THANK YOU CHAIR .
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY, AND YOUR PRESENTATION .
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE .
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR . THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR THE AMOUNT OF HARD
WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. I SEE
YOU HERE AT ALL KINDS OF HOURS
WORKING AWAY. YOU HAVE DONE AN
AMAZING JOB. I AM REALLY LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
ALSO, TO EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE,
YOU ARE ALL INCREDIBLE. I JUST
WANT TO SAY THAT I AM ROUTINELY
HUMBLED BY THE LIFE STORIES AND
ACHIEVEMENTS OF EVERYBODY UP
HERE AND PEOPLE WHO PRESENT TO
US. THIS ALSO PROVIDES AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR INCREDIBLE
GENERATIONAL, AND AS COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, IMMEDIATE IMPACT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING
TO OUR COMMENTS AS WE HAVE GONE
THROUGH THIS AND EXPANDING THE
CHILDCARE SLOTS, CHILDCARE
WORKER SUPPORT, THE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM SEEDS, THE SCHOOL-BASED
HEALTH CLINICS. VERY DEAR TO MY
HEART . AND THE PATH TO TRADES
PROGRAM. THANK YOU FOR BEING
WILLING TO EXPAND THOSE AND ADD
NEW INVESTMENTS. I TOO WILL
CERTAINLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE DETAILS. I THINK,
BASED ON THE COMMENTS YOU HAVE
HEARD TODAY, IT IS UNUSUAL THAT
WE ALL SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY
AGREED. I THINK THAT, IN AND OF
ITSELF, IS A WIN. WE ALL ARE SO
VERY MUCH COMMITTED TO MAKING
THIS SUCCEED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
>> I'M GOING TO ECHO THAT . YOU
KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU GUYS
DOWN AT CITY HALL DON'T ALWAYS
WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE.
WE WANT A GOVERNMENT WORKING
TOGETHER. WHEN WE DO GET A
WORKING GOVERNMENT WORKING
TOGETHER, SOMETIMES WE ARE LIKE,
WOW, YOU ARE ALL KIND OF
HIGH-FIVING. YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS
IS SOMETHING TO HIGH-FIVE ABOUT.
THESE ARE OUR KIDS. OUR KIDS ARE
OUR FUTURE. IF WE CAN'T STAND
BEHIND THEM, WHO WILL WE STAND
BEHIND? THE TIMING RIGHT NOW, AS
IT COINCIDES WITH WHAT I SAID
EARLIER WITH THE ATTACK ON
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, YOU KNOW,
WE HAVE TO DO THIS. WE HAVE TO
DO IT RIGHT. WE HAVE TO SUPPORT
WORKING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
WE ARE SUPPORTING WORKING
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN , AND THAT
SUPPORTS ALL OF US. MAKING SURE
THAT CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO THE
SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL
IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS WHY WE ARE
ALL WORKING TOGETHER . I WILL
ALSO SAY THAT IT WAS REALLY,
REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE
HAD OUR ONE-ON-ONE SO I KNEW
WHAT EVERYONE CARED ABOUT. I
REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE
EVERYONE SAW THEMSELVES
REFLECTED IN THIS LEVY. HERE IS
THE THING. IT IS SUPPORT THIS.
IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO MAKE
SURE THAT ON THE FRONT END WE
HAD A LOT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE
ARE A LOT OF COMPETING
INTERESTS. WE HAVE TO
COMPROMISE. THAT WAS IMPORTANT
TO ME AS WELL. THAT IS WHY I
SAID EARLIER YOU WILL SEE THINGS
THAT WE TALKED ABOUT REFLECTED.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE CHILDCARE.
WE TALKED ABOUT PRESCHOOL. WE
TALKED ABOUT THE PATH TO TRADES.
ALL OF THAT IS IN HERE. WE
TALKED ABOUT THE SUPPORTS IN THE
K-12 SPACE THAT WAS A
SUPPLEMENT. KIDS NEED, IN THE
BEST OF SCENARIOS, KIDS NEED
SUPPLEMENTS FOR WHAT WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT EARLIER. KIDS
DON'T HAVE ACCESS , DEPENDING
ON THEIR FAMILY MEANS, TWO
THINGS THAT OTHER KIDS DO, LIKE
TUTORING AND MENTORING. WE
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE
THINGS WERE IN HERE IN THIS WAY.
WE WORKED REALLY HARD TOGETHER
TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MAKING
THOSE UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS THAT
ARE SO IMPORTANT. TO YOUR POINT,
DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON, I GREW
UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT
WAS A LOT OF DOWNSTREAM. A LOT
OF SADNESS . COUNCILMEMBER SAKA,
THIS IS NOT SADNESS. ACHIEVEMENT
IS NOT SADNESS, BUT NOT EVERY
KID GETS WHAT THEY NEED. THERE
WAS A LOT OF DOWNSTREAM SAD
STORIES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I
WAS ONE OF 20 KIDS WHO USED TO
BE THE LITTLE KIDS AROUND THE
BLOCK WHO ALL PLAYED TOGETHER.
MAYBE TWO OF US WENT TO COLLEGE.
EVERYBODY ELSE DIDN'T HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY. I'M NOT SAYING
THOSE FOLKS AREN'T LIVING GREAT
LIVES. I'M JUST SAYING THEY
DIDN'T ALL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THEY
DIDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO GET A
SCHOLARSHIP, LIKE I DID, OR SOME
SUPPORTS. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS
ABOUT, MAKING SURE THEY ALL HAVE
ACCESS TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
YES, THERE IS A LOT OF ALIGNMENT
HERE. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, IT
WAS IMPORTANT AT THIS JUNCTURE
THERE WAS ALIGNMENT, BECAUSE WE
ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OUR
MUTUAL CONSTITUENTS. GOVERNMENT
WORKS BETTER WHEN WE ALL WORK
TOGETHER. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
DEPUTY MAYOR WASHINGTON AND I
HAVE IN COMMON. WE WANT TO WORK
TOGETHER. AND DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE
AND HIS TEAM. WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SEVEN YEARS
NOW MAKING SURE WE ARE WORKING
TOGETHER AND COMPROMISING IN
MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF YOUR
INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED. SO
THAT WE ARE SERVING CONSTITUENTS
WELL. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, OUR
KIDS. THANK YOU. WE WILL
CONTINUE THIS PARTNERSHIP,
COLLEAGUES, AND THIS IS
SOMETHING TO REALLY BE PROUD
ABOUT. THIS IS SOMETHING OUR
KIDS NEED. THAT IS MY NORTHSTAR.
WHAT DO OUR KIDS NEED IN SEATTLE
TO SUCCEED? I WANT MORE STORIES
LIKE FATIMA 'S. I WANT MORE
KIDS GOING TO PROMISE, GOING TO
PASS TO UDUB COMMITTING IN JOBS
AT AMAZON OR WHEREVER ELSE. I
WILL TELL YOU THE ONE LAST STORY
. THIS IS REALLY GREAT. I AM A
BIG FAN OF -- MOST PEOPLE KNOW
BY NOW, CHIEF SCOGGINS. HE IS
THE ONE WHO HELPS -- GET IN
LINE, RIGHT? HE CREATED THE
CURRICULUM FOR THE PROMISE
PROGRAM FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS. I
REMEMBER CHIEF SCOGGINS TELLING
ME, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT? IF
SOMEONE IS A MECHANIC AND WANT
TO SPECIALIZE IN FIXING FIRE
ENGINES, THAT IS A LUCRATIVE
CAREER. IT IS A NICHE INDUSTRY.
NOT A LOT OF MECHANICS -- IT IS
VERY SPECIALIZED TYPE OF
MECHANIC. I THOUGHT, SHOOT, WHO
DO I KNOW WHO IS A MECHANIC SO I
CAN SAY TO GET THE SPECIALTY FOR
THAT? THAT IS GOING TO REALLY
SERVE YOU WELL. THERE IS A
SHORTAGE. WHETHER IT IS A
COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY OR THE
TRADES, EITHER WILL GET YOU TO
THE SAME PATH, WHICH IS YOUR
ABILITY TO HAVE A LIVING WAGE
WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A FAMILY,
RAISE A FAMILY IF YOU WANT THAT,
AND LIVE A GOOD LIFE. AND SO,
THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
ANYWAY, COLLEAGUES, AND UNLESS
THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS, --
SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS. THIS CONCLUDES THE MAY
1 MEETING OF THE SELECT
COMMITTEE ON FAMILIES,
EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL AND PROMISE
LEVY. AS I SAID EARLIER, WE WILL
CONTINUE ON THIS RENEWAL WORK.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO
CENTRAL STAFF. JASMINE HAS BEEN
WORKING ON THIS , ALONGSIDE MY
OFFICE. SHE IS TERRIFIC. I AM
ENJOYING WORKING WITH HER. THE
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING IS A
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR
MONDAY, MAY 12, AT 5:00 BE A. IF
THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS,
THIS MEETING WILL ADJOURN.
HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS. IT
IS 3:56 P.M. THIS MEETING IS
ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.