Edmonds School District roundtable draws a crowd

Published 7:58 am Friday, February 29, 2008

Edmonds School District Superintendent Nick Brossoit hosted his first Superintendent’s Roundtable, a monthly question-and-answer informational session, last week before more than 40 attendees who provided topic suggestions for the coming roundtables.

The roundtable sessions were a new idea brought to the table by Brossoit, who held similar monthly sessions while serving as superintendent of the Tumwater School District for the past 10 years.

“We want you to be able to come in and get questions answered,” Brossoit said at the session.

The people in attendance came with many questions, some that could be answered immediately and others that will drive the agenda of future roundtable meetings.

Guests showed an interest in learning more about the legislation relating to schools that will be on November’s ballot. Brossoit suggested that would be an excellent topic for the Oct. 6 Superintendent’s Roundtable.

Community Relations Manager of Edmonds School District Debbie Jakala said Dan Wilson, president of the Edmonds Education Association, will speak about Referendum 55 and charter schools at the October meeting. Also, David Schaefer, who was the co-chair of Citizens For Schools and who is involved with the League of Education Voters, will present information about Initiative 884, a measure that would create a fund for preschool through college education by increasing the sales tax rate by 1 percent.

This meeting on Oct. 6 will begin with open conversation, followed by a general discussion about the legislation and how it will affect the district, Jakala said.

“When we do our presentation, it’s not just going to be an infomercial,” Brossoit said at last week’s roundtable discussion. “It should be a very interactive, positive discussion.”

Jakala said she was pleased by the success of the first roundtable session and the large turnout. People in attendance ranged from parents to district employees and community organization representatives to pastors.

Parent Vera Yeremeyev attended and said it is important for parents to know the district officials and what is going on within the school district.

“I think it’s important for me to see (Brossoit) and what he’s like as a person,” Yeremeyev said.

Yeremeyev moved to the United States from Ukraine, where parents were not encouraged to be involved in the school system. She said she thinks it’s wonderful that parents are encouraged to get involved here, and she wishes more parents would take part.

“It’s important what happens to my children,” Yeremeyev said.