HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-31 Special Minutes - City Council and Tukwila School Board Joint Work SessionJoint School Board - City Council Meeting
Summary
May 31, 2016 - 6:00 p.m. Starfire Sports, 14800 Starfire Way
PRESENT
City Council: Joe Duffie, Council President; Tom McLeod, Kathy Hougardy, Verna Seal, De'Sean
Quinn, Kate Kruller
From City: Mayor Allan Ekberg; David Cline, Joyce Trantina, Jack Pace, Evie Boykan, Rick
Still, Laurel Humphrey, Staff
School Board: Steve Mullet, President Mary Fertakis, Ricardo Frazier, Dave Larson, Directors
From School District: Nancy Coogan, Superintendent; Judith Berry, Gregory King, Rick Maloney,
Vivian Palmer Maria Gonzales-Millsap, Sara Niegowski
The joint Tukwila School Board and City Council meeting consisted of discussions on the following
topics:
1. City and School District Updates and Collaboration
2. City Public Safety Bond Proposal
3. Afterschool Programming
4. Affordable Housing
5. FEMA Training Opportunities
6. Homelessness Research Update
7. Technology Infrastructure
8. We Schools Educational Partnership
The meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m. Council President Duffie and Board President Mullet jointly
welcomed the group and thanked participants for their time.
City and School District Updates and Collaboration
The City and School District continue to collaborate well on initiatives such as Career Day, City of
Tukwila Scholarship program, and Teens for Tukwila. The Mayor meets regularly with the
Superintendent. Mayor Ekberg mentioned that the City is expanding its job shadowing and internship
opportunities. City Staff have been attending lunch periods at various schools. The Parks and
Recreation Department is exploring the idea of a Community Center shuttle.
City Public Safety Bond Proposal
The City of Tukwila is working toward a bond proposal to fund replacement of buildings associated
with public safety, including Police, Fire, Court and Public Works. Passage would require 60% approval
Joint City Council- School Board Meeting Summary May 31, 2016 - Pape 2
by voters in Tukwila. Director Larson spoke to the importance of strong communication when going
out fora bond.
Afterschool Programming
The District's partnership with the YMCA started in 2015 but staffing and academic limitations continue
to be a challenge. Councilmember Seal noted the City is working on its biennial budget and needs to
know what to expect.
Affordable Housing
Councilmember Quinn shared that his Community Affairs and Parks Committee has been working on
housing issues and is looking at all aspects, including minimum lot requirements, cottage housing,
land trust model and more. Director Fertakis said that the District frequently hears from families that
want to stay in the area but have no housing options due to affordability.
FEMA Training Opportunities
The City Council just renewed its FEMA training and the City's Emergency Manager is willing to work on
training for District staff. It would be beneficial to have teams trained in each building. Dr. Maloney is
responsible for safety in the District and it would be a good start to present to the Safety Committee.
The Cascadia Rising exercise on June 7 and June 8 is a regional emergency preparedness drill with
participation by all Western states.
Homelessness Research Update
Director Fertakis updated attendees on the research project. Data collection is complete and 290
students responded. Parent interviews are ongoing. 100% of respondees believe "the school cares
about me and my family" and it is clear that positive relationships exist with school staff. Analysis of
the data is beginning. TSD is 24% ahead of the rest of Washington State with the McKinney Vento
graduation rate. The last legislative session included a bill authorizing grant fundingto address student
homelessness called Every Child Succeeds.
Technology Infrastructure
Superintendent Coogan shared that internet access is a barrier to equity and to learning, and she
would like to address this collaboratively with the City. Director Larson said that technology levy and
Federal funding have enabled the District to get all buildings wired. The City has a new IT Director
coming on board this week who has been told that internet access for apartment residents is a priority.
We Schools Educational Partnership
Councilmember Hougardy attended WE Day this year and learned the organization is looking to
partner with cities. She will share additional information with Parks and Recreation.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Summary by LH