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Monday, March 25, 2013

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Same-Sex Marriage and Public Education

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Same-Sex Marriage and Public Education:



Budget Updates for SPS and Washington State

In case you didn't hear, last Wednesday the economic forecast was released for Washington State.  It showed flat growth which was actually good news as it means the Legislature doesn't have to find more cuts (in theory).

Here's what was stated by Duggan Harman who is the Assistant Superintendent of Business & Finance (aka the budget guy) for SPS at last week's Board meeting.

He stated the following:
  • SPS has an $18M shortfall.  Staff has found cuts that would make up for two-thirds of the shortfall but they are one-time cuts.  A couple of thoughts to close the gap - increasing kindergarten tuition (again) and transportation reductions.
  • SPS, along with several other districts including Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue and Highline, have sent a 


Same-Sex Marriage and Public Education

What does one thing have to do with the other?  According to this article in Ed Week, a lot.

It is certainly going to be interesting to see how gingerly districts may have to step in the future to remain "neutral" on this issue.

Here in Washington State, same-sex marriage is now legal and this week, in two separate cases, the United States Supreme Court will consider the issue.   (The two cases are Hollingsworth v Perry that challenges California's limitations on marriage as just for a man and a woman under the equal-protection clause of the Constitution and United States v Windsor that will consider the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 known as DOMA.)

Thoughts what those in public education might have to consider from the Ed Week article:

  • Among the scores of briefs filed by parties and "friends of the court" on different sides of those cases are