“Poverty is not a learning disability”: Dr. Susan Enfield’s plan for the future of Highline Schools
The following article was published in partnership with Burien’s oldest newspaper, the Highline Times, and was written by Ty Swenson.
When Susan Enfield took the job as Highline School District’s new superintendent in 2012, she started reaching out to staff and community to get a feel for the culture she was now charged with guiding into the future.
“One of the things I was struck by was … a deep sense of commitment and caring for the schools, (and) a lot of feeling sorry for our kids and their plight,” Enfield said, recalling her early days with the district while speaking to the White Center Chamber of Commerce on March 12.
“People would say, ‘We are so glad you are here but these students are so poor, and they speak other languages, and their parents have two jobs,’ and I got really good at nodding politely and smiling and then saying, ‘And there are children with those characteristics all over the country who are performing way better.’”
70 percent of Highline’s students are on free or reduced lunch, a barometer that Enfield said some (including herself) had become desensitized to. What that means, she said, is that 13,000 of Highline’s 18,000 students live in poverty. (more…)
Burien city manager thanks NHUAC for support of annexation, strikes at naysayer arguments
The following article was published in partnership with the Highline Times and was written by Ty Swenson.
In the last North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting on Nov. 1 before final ballots are cast to approve or decline annexation to Burien, City Manager Mike Martin thanked the NHUAC for their support of annexation and responded to claims being made by those against the measure.
“I wanted to acknowledge all the work that has gone into this campaign and as you know, I wouldn’t be standing here unless our council supported this, and I really applaud you for fighting the good fight,” Martin said to the NHUAC board.
“I really applaud you folks for staying to the high ground and this is a very important policy decision and as a public servant, I very much regret some of the information that is out there that some people are using to make their decision.”
Before going into anti-annexation claims, Martin said the city is internally preparing for annexation in the event that it passes, including an “extensive task list” of transition talks with King County. He said Burien hopes to move quickly with a yes vote, and annexation could be implemented by April of 2013. (more…)
Two local legislators endorse I-502: the legalization of recreational marijuana sales
This article was published in partnership with the Highline Times and was written by Ty Swenson.
New Approach Washington, the lobbying force behind Initiative 502 to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana sales for adults 21 years and older, sent out word this week that sixteen Washington state legislators endorsed the initiative, including two local legislators.
I-502 will appear on the November general election ballot.
Locally, Senator Sharon Nelson (D-34) and Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34) announced their endorsement.
Representative Eileen Cody (D-34) has not endorsed the initiative and said in an email, “I don’t think marijuana use should be illegal but I also don’t want to encourage its use. It is helpful in some medical conditions but I don’t support its recreational use any more than I do tobacco use. I really support the Governor’s approach of getting the FDA to reclassify marijuana so that it could be handled through pharmacies and prescribed when needed.” (more…)
Burien city manager promises factual campaign on White Center, North Highline annexation
This article was published in partnership with the Highline Times and was written by Ty Swenson.
At a meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, Burien City Manager Mike Martin briefly discussed the recent city council vote (4-3) to hold an annexation election for North Highline
“That vote is a very important milestone … because it finally shifts the ball to the residents of White Center,” he said. “We are in the course of putting together our game plan for outreach (to North Highline residents to explain how annexation will effect the area).” (more…)
Port of Seattle moving closer to Lora Lake contamination cleanup
This article was published in partnership with the Highline Times and was written by Ty Swenson.
The former Lora Lake Apartments site at 15001 Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien is currently being tested to reveal the full extent of hazardous contaminants from industrial use, according to Perry Cooper with the Port of Seattle.
Once a cleanup plan is established, Cooper said cleanup will begin in 2013 and, once finished, the land will be open to redevelopment. The Port is considering two main options – develop a cargo center for the airport or selling the land to Burien’s larger auto dealers to create an auto mall. (more…)
City, county and police vow to subdue unruly teen behavior at Burien Library
This article was published in partnership with the Highline Times and was written by Ty Swenson.
As the final bell rings at Burien-area high schools and junior highs teenagers are unleashed in droves, many feeling the freedom of that gap between class ending and dinner time back home.
A lot of teens end up at Burien’s library, which, to an outsider, might seem like a dream come true (“Your kids voluntarily go to the library!?”). But for many Burienites and others using the library, the teens congregating at and around the library have become a problem.
(more…)
Boundary review board OK on Burien’s annexation all but finalized
On Jan. 23 the Washington State Boundary Review Board unanimously voted in favor of a motion to accept Burien’s plan to annex the remainder of unincorporated North Highline, including White Center.
The preliminary vote will be drafted into formal report for a final vote on Feb. 16. If accepted at that time (which is likely), there will be a 30-day appeal period where challenges can be brought to the King County Superior Court.
While the boundary review decision is a required step in Burien’s path towards annexation, both the state legislature’s threat to axe their $5 million a year sales tax credit (for annexing the area) and, ultimately, the people of North Highline’s vote are future hurdles.
City of Burien turnover not a concern, city manager says
This article was published in partnership with the Highline Times. By Ty Swenson.
There has been enough turnover in Burien’s key government positions over the past year that some people started asking the usual questions, from “Why are they leaving?” to “With all this turnover, how much is city productivity hindered?”
Some specific examples of people leaving include the retirement of economic development manager Dick Loman (replaced by Issaquah’s EDM Dan Trimble), public works director Larry Blanchard (recently replaced by Maiya Andrews) and a shift for Burien’s management analyst Jenn Ramirez Robson to the interim director for New Futures. The vacant analyst position was filled last month by Nhan Nguyen – formerly of the White Center Community Development Association. (more…)