I recall hearing the M-P band playing Henry Fillmore’s rousing march, Americans We.
As I complete my seventh month on the job as the new superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, I reflect on what an amazing place this is — a rich history and strong foundation; incredible staff doing the hard work each and every day to ensure that every child can achieve their full potential; a deep excitement and hope for the future even with the ominous challenges we face. It’s an honor to be here and a privilege to serve.
Budget cuts larger than normal next year — Washington’s reliance on the sales tax means that economic slow downs cut revenue dramatically. For the first time in 30 years the state has cut school budgets mid year. The impact on this year is small, however the proposed impacts for next year are large. Typically we cut about $1 million per year to keep up with competitive salaries, cost of living and state funding reductions. The impact for next year is likely to be three times as great, or more.
Like most people, chances are you’re trying to spend less money these days. This probably means you’ve cut back on things you enjoy, such as eating out. But as one local restaurant owner told me “If you don’t come in to eat, we’ll both starve.” In my case this is true, since I am known to burn water. Everyone has days when it’s more convenient to go out for a meal, and sometimes it’s just nice to have someone else do the dishes. Your dining out also ensures that restaurants can stay in business and provide jobs.
My first year in the state Legislature won’t be an easy one. With a 6 billion dollar shortfall, no direction for a Snohomish County college, and roads in our county waiting for improvements, we’ll need some creative ideas and even more perseverance to get through hard times.
Now is the time to move from financial rescue to economic recovery and long-term job growth. That’s why I have been working in Congress to pass an economic recovery package to create jobs here in Snohomish County, modernize local schools, highways and transit and help families who are struggling.
This is more like winter. A Puget Sound winter, that is. No more snow to reflect bright moon and star light onto my bedroom window. No smooth white blanket obscuring rotting autumn foliage. I like snow and might enjoy shoveling it if only I had a snow shovel. Snow is beautiful. No matter how deep it gets, it can never be as depressing as rain.
A few weeks ago the editor of the Arlington Times and Marysville Globe, Scott Frank, extended an invitation for contributions to the papers’ Arts and Leisure section. He invited any who had an interest in writing a column to contact him with a proposal. This is my first attempt since high school journalism many, many years ago to write a column, I hope I have not lost the “touch.” I wish to thank Mr. Frank for this opportunity.
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jew and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the word of that old Negro spiritual ‘Free at Last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last.’
I was sitting by the window watching the snow melt and thinking about everything that has happened in December. The lights went out and the pipe in the garage burst.
As a united coalition of school district administrators and teachers’ union leaders, we believe that:
In early December we put out a call asking for local residents who would be interested in being community columnists for The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times.
When legislators come to Olympia later this month, they will not only face a $6 billion budget deficit, they must also change our unemployment insurance (UI) system to comply with federal requirements.
