New "Draft" List from Vedra

Dr. Vedra's draft list (here)   has been posted to the district website. While items have been rearranged minimize impact to jobs first, Lowell's postponed opening still remains in the "at-risk zone." Lowell has been demoted to number 45 on the list, putting it at the $2.7 million budget cut level. The district is expecting AT LEAST $2 million cut, but according to Dr. Vedra and anticipated state budget shortfalls, it will likely be more.

Soapbox note:

Why should one segment of the school population carry a majority of the burden for the whole district?

The School Board Members promoted the $67 million bond we are now paying for as a way to save neighborhood schools. It passed by an overwhelming 69 percent.

Be sure to come to the March 2, 6:30pm meeting at Shuksan and remind the School Board and District Superintendent how you voted and what you voted for!

ACTION ITEMS

Your voice needs to be heard.

Letters to the Editor at the Herald

1. Here is the first one in print (here)

2. Submit your letter to the editor (here)

3. Use numbers or bring up school board promises or be passionate, but let the community know that one segment of the school kids taking the majority of the burden for the whole district is wrong.

The Listening Post

1. This is a direct link to the School Board Members (here)

2. They might not see all the comments posted - but they will see yours if you post it there.

Hardcopy Letters

1. Bring your hardcopy letter not submitted to their website to the March 2 meeting. Your mailed in letters WILL NOT be counted or read.

2. Have your kids bring letters/drawings too.

Hot Potatoes

Thanks for showing up today everyone. One hundred signs were put together and gone in 45 minutes!

Remember: The public meeting is Monday, March 2, 6:30pm at Shuksan Middle School. Please come and bring your kids and neighbors.

IF you didn't get a chance to give your input online, you can submit a letter or hardcopy at the meeting. This is the ONLY time they will accept letters or written hardcopy comments. If you mailed your comments in, they will not count - please bring your letter to the meeting.

At the sign rally the kids wrote over thirty letters and they will be submitted on Monday as well.

See you all Monday Lowell fans!

Let's Get Organized for the March 2nd Meeting

Thanks everyone for turning in your comments to the district! We WILL make a difference!

Please come and pick up a "Reopen Lowell" sign between 4-5 pm on Thursday, February 27 at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center on 1314 Harris Ave. in Fairhaven. Bring your kids - there will be a place for them to make a drawing or write a letter to turn in at the public meeting.

Put the sign in your yard, but be sure to bring it to the public meeting on March 2nd at Shuksan Middle School where the district superintendent will announce his proposed budget cuts. His proposal will have a three-day comment period, then be turned over to the school board for a vote.

Let's make sure we are visible at the public meeting and let the district know that keeping Lowell closed another year is NOT what our community, parents and neighbors want. 

Thanks Firehouse for donating the space. Thanks Signs by Tomorrow for the great banner hanging at Lowell. Thanks for printing the yard/meeting signs.

On display now at Lowell Elementary

Lowell school district unites! 

District Comment Postings

Thanks everyone for posting your comments! From what we understand your comments are actually being read and not just counted. If you are waiting to post or need some inspiration, click on the comment link associated with this posting and you can read the list of ideas talked about at the Save Lowell meeting.

Remember:

1. Post your comments by Tuesday, February 24 to: www.bsd501.org/go/survey/420/1258/

2. Also post your comments on the "Listening Post" at: www.bsd501.org/go/survey/420/968/ where every board member can read them too.

SAVE Lowell!!!!!!

Today is the day to make your comments! The district will ONLY accept comments made online at their website: www.bsd501.org/go/survey/420/1258/

They will NOT take comments in the form of calls or hard copy letters. 

We encourage you to send your comments to the Herald.

View the suggested budget cuts at: www.bham.wednet.edu/staff/BudgetUpdate2009.htm

Lowell Parents Organize

The consensus is: re-open Lowell in the fall! 

A room full of parents who care about their children's school experience and who have a deep sense of commitment to this their neighborhood community worked out a plan to canvas the entire Lowell school district with flyers. The flyers encourage friends and neighbors to comment on the delayed re-opening of Lowell. 

The Bellingham School District will be posting a list of suggested budget cuts. There will be a SHORT FIVE-DAY comment period beginning February 19, 2009.

Please take the time to comment.

Rally for Lowell Meeting

Let's get organized tonight at the Jones'! All concerned parents and neighbors are invited to attend. We will talk about the past effort to save Lowell Elementary from closing in 2001 and strategize about how to get the word out to the neighborhood. After all, Lowell's postponed reopening affects our kids and our community. Join us at 1705 Knox, 6:30pm.

Upper Playground Already Removed

Lowell's upper playground has been removed. While our playground project is on hold due to recent and sudden suggestion that Lowell is not reopened next fall, we have raised over $67,000 toward the playground and grass field and still have significant community support for the project.

We are looking forward to keeping Lowell open next year and enjoying the new playground built this May!

Lowell in Jeopardy

Sadly, it has been brought to our attention Lowell Elementary might not reopen this fall due to the district's budget shortfalls. The Budget Advisory Committee has voted (75.6 percent) to delay the opening of Lowell for a year. The BAC's recommendations will go to Dr. Vedra, the district superintendent, after the open comment period, which begins February 19, 2009 and lasts only five days.

Fundraising Yaosa

We are almost halfway there! We have raised over $65,000 for the playground and grass field project. This includes cash and material donations. We have had amazing community support for this project and it's made a real difference! We are so fortunate to live in such a supportive, community-minded place where we have so many people rooting for such an important outlet for our children. 

Thank you everyone!

SAVE THE DATE!

SAVE THE DATE!!! March 8, 2009! If you're a fan of Irish music you've heard of Randal Bays and Daithi Sproule, if not, your first experience will be with the best. These two have recorded and toured with the world's finest Irish musicians. 

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day they bring their virtuosity to Whatcom County in support of the new Lowell Elementary Playground and Grass Field Project. They are personal friends with an avid supporter of Lowell's new playground and are thrilled to be part of supporting this for the kids. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE PROJECT! Go to Mount Baker Theater for tickets.