Realtors understand the importance of excellent schools. They are a priority for most homebuyers. The quality of schools in a district is often the first thing house hunters ask us about.
We also understand budgets and fiscal responsibility, particularly for prospective homeowners, and particularly during these challenging economic times.
Maintaining high-caliber schools and demonstrating prudent management are key factors whenever the Seattle King County Realtors consider a request for endorsing a levy or bond measure.
Such endorsements must be requested by a school district representative or association member, and they must be approved by a supermajority of members of our Governmental and Public Affairs Committee. (If approved by a majority, but not a supermajority at a GAC meeting, the motion is referred to SKCR’s Board of Directors.)
When Superintendent Chip Kimball and Realtor Kerri Nielsen, representing the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, attended our GAC meeting in December, they presented a compelling case for endorsement of a $65.4 million funding request to help address overcrowding.
Lake Washington School District not only earned high marks, it also garnered a unanimous vote for endorsement.
The LWSD capital facility levy on the Feb. 8 ballot deserves a “yes” vote.
As the author of a recent letter to the editor noted, the district’s overcrowding is in part a reflection of its own success.
Academic performance is one important measure of success – and a measure realtors value.
LWSD outperformed all other districts in the state when measured by the Washington Achievement Awards. These awards, presented collaboratively with the State Board of Education, celebrate schools for overall excellence and special recognition in language arts, math, science, graduation rate and gifted education. Lake Washington schools earned more awards than any other district in the state; the recognition included 10 schools that received accolades for overall excellence.
Our members were also impressed by rising scores on tests that assess a student’s readiness for college. These scores show LWSD is bucking the downward trend being reported elsewhere in the state and nation.
On the fiscal front, there’s no denying the budget challenges are daunting. Nevertheless, LWSD administrators and leaders engaged the public through polling and public forums to identify possible solutions for addressing acute overcrowding and anticipated growth.
Steps have been taken to use existing facilities more efficiently. The levy pursues funding for permanent space to address immediate needs to ease overcrowding at Eastlake and Redmond high schools. Levy funds will also pay for a small secondary school to be located on property already owned by the district. It would serve all district students, with curriculum focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Classrooms in some areas may still become larger than desired, but the “fixes” outlined in the levy will go a long way in preserving excellence – and in preserving property values. Many studies show a strong correlation between good schools and high property values.
As a realtor whose office is in the district, I can confirm what two national magazines recognized about communities within LWSD, based on their own research.
Business Week picked Redmond first in the state on its list of 2010 “Best Places to Raise Your Kids.” School test scores were one of four criteria that weighed especially high on the evaluations.
Forbes conducted a comprehensive analysis of more than 17,000 cities and towns across the country and ranked Sammamish second on its 25 “Best Schools for Your Housing Buck.”
While we can take pride in such recognition, we should be more proud of the long history of support voters have given LWSD.
Quality schools are critical for economic vitality and job creation. Excellent schools are paramount to the futures of our students.
We are urging our members in the district to vote yes for LWSD kids. We hope you will join us.
Kristen Greenlaw is 2011 president of Seattle King County Realtors and a realtor at Windermere R.E. Northeast in Kirkland.
