Update on the Proposed Later School Start Times

Dear QAE Parents,
 
Yesterday QAE PTSA sent an action alert regarding a last minute Seattle School Board amendment to change school start time at many elementary schools (including QAE) to 9:50am starting next school year.  Thanks to those parents that had an opportunity to write the school district and/or school board directors with your thoughts about this change.
 
Today SPS posted the following message on www.seattleschools.org :
 
School Board vote on 2014-15 Transportation Service Standards postponed to Feb. 5
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda asked the School Board to postpone its vote on the District’s 2014-15 Transportation Service Standards at the Jan. 22 Board meeting. 

The delay will give District staff time to conduct research and perform a cost analysis on a recently proposed Board amendment to adjust bus arrival times, the Superintendent said. 

A transportation proposal will come back to the Board for a vote on Wednesday, Feb. 5, Banda said. 

“I want our families to know that we are listening to your input, both for any action taken for 2014-15 and thinking ahead to 2015-16,” he said. “We want to be able to provide the best possible service with the available resources, staying focused on the Board’s priorities of driving every available dollar into the classroom.”
 
QAE PTSA will continue to follow this issue.  We realize there will be a variety of opinions within the QAE community on whether or not a later or earlier start time would benefit our students.  We encourage you to send your thoughts about school start times for students to the following:
 
Seattle School Board Directors
Sherry Carr: [email protected]
Harium Martin-Morris: [email protected]
Sue Peters: [email protected]
Stephan Blanford: [email protected]
Marty McLaren: [email protected]
Betty Patu: [email protected]

Seattle Public Schools
District: [email protected]

All the best,
 
QAE PTSA Legislation Co-Chairs
Angie Masco
Heath Dixon

[email protected]