NSD Board Meeting--Thank you Staff and Parents

THANK YOU to the hundreds of staff and parents who attended the School Board meeting last night. It was a spirited standing room only crowd, with signs reading:
"SCHOOLS NEED FULL TIME RNs" and "NO CUTS TO LIBRARIES".

It was great to see so many District employees and parents who care so deeply for our schools and students. Despite our collective efforts, the Board voted to cut nursing staffing and to eliminate all library assistants and techs. School Board Member Dawn McCravey showed her thoughtful independence, and voted against the cuts. She deserves the heartfelt thanks of every member of Northshore's community. Thank you, Dawn!

Although over 70 people had signed up to speak, the School Board announced at the start of the meeting that they would hear testimony from only 10 people before they voted on the cuts, stating that people previously had the opportunity to testify.

We believe that their refusal to hear more than 10 people before thevote was a serious blow to the democratic process that Northshore'sresidents and employees rightfully expect from their elected representatives. To her credit, Board Member Sue Buske spoke up and suggested that all speakers be heard before the vote. The Board did not accept her suggestion.

We are committed to working with the Board and administration to keep Northshore the great school district that brought us here. Although the District's financial situation is far from rosy, it is not as direas the administration has claimed. And there is every reason for theSchool Board to hear---before they vote-- from the caring parents andschool employees who come to Board meetings. Instead, one Board Memberstated, "We are not here to be badgered."

In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities for you to be involved in our efforts supportive of contract negotiations to keep Northshore great. We know that we can do it together!

Thanks also to those who emailed or called the School Board, but did not come last night.

Kraig PeckWEA/NESPA Staffperson

NSD Board Meeting reflection

Thank you to all of you who joined us at the NSD Board Meeting last night (04-22-08). The number of people in attendance was impressive. NESPA members actively solicited support for our nurses and our library support staff.

Many people came to this meeting prepared to speak in support of various issues including full time nurses, library staff and other important issues. Despite the many pages of people who had signed up to speak during the public comment period, public comment was limited to only ten speakers who were each allowed to speak for only 3 minutes. The board members were clearly eager to bring the budget measure to a vote and to abbreviate public testimony of disapproval.

Our strong presence at these meetings with demonstrations of strong public support will continue to impress upon the board and the school district administration that we deserve to be acknowledged as professionals!