Broadhurst coming?
February 2, 2009
By Laura Geggel
Carl Brandt and Blythe Manson stand near a map showing the distance between Broadhurst and Lake Washington schools in relation to Snoqualmie Valley schools. Photo by Laura Geggel
A neighborhood north of Sammamish could join the Lake Washington School District, if their request is approved.
Broadhurst filed a petition to leave the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Jan. 22.
The Snoqualmie Valley School Board listened to two presentations — one pro-petition and the other anti-petition — and then allowed audience members to comment either for or against the neighborhood’s transfer.
The school district held the public hearing after 96 percent of Broadhurst’s residents signed a petition requesting to transfer to the Lake Washington School District. Broadhurst, a neighborhood North of Northeast Ames Lake Road in Redmond, previously petitioned to transfer in 1997, but was denied.“There was a promise, a commitment at that time (from the Snoqualmie Valley district). Give us a chance to do a better job to service your kids.” parent Carl Brandt said. “Twelve years have gone by, nothing has changed.”
To decide whether or not the neighborhood’s request is received this time, two school board members from each district will convene, before reporting back to their respective boards — Rudy Edwards and Caroline Loudenback from Snoqualmie Valley’s board and Doug Eglington and Jackie Pendergrass from Lake Washington’s board.
It is unclear yet whether Lake Washington schools will have room for Broadhurst students.
“We’re still doing the analysis,” said Kathryn Reith, communications officer for LWSD.
The school boards of both school districts have until March 14 to either approve or deny the transfer. If one district supports the transfer and the other rejects it, the case will be heard by a regional committee.
The anti-transfer group argued the Ames Lake Corridor had a long history of parent involvement. They also said Snoqualmie Valley schools attended by Broadhurst students are below capacity, even Mount Si High School, especially if the bond for more portables passes this spring.
If Broadhurst’s transfer is successful, the Lake Washington boundary would change and could make it easier for other Snoqualmie Valley neighborhoods to petition a transfer of their own, said Mary Alice Colvin, a parent who is against the Broadhurst transfer.
She warned of a “domino effect” of neighborhoods that may seek transfers if the Lake Washington boundary line extends to Broadhurst, including Davereux and the Trails at Camden Park — both of which petitioned to transfer to Lake Washington in 2003 —and Ames Lake — which tried to organize a petition in 2007.
Both Aldarra Estates and Montaine border the Issaquah School District and could also petition to change districts.
Broadhurst has 39 students attending Snoqualmie Valley schools. If all of the above neighborhoods successfully transferred out, the district would lose 333 children.
But Broadhurst residents in favor of the transfer said the school board is not allowed to factor in the domino effect when deciding Broadhurst’s case.
“We have the ideal case. If you let us out, you will show you are doing your duty. When the facts are right, you’re allowing us,” said parent Carl Brandt. “When other communities want out, you can show what qualities you require.”
“We’re not up here doing it for us. The petition is to support the kids,” Brandt added.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
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The few people who spoke against the change in districts used a scare tactic which is unfounded and no a factor to be properly considered under the State guidelines governing such petitions. Broadhurst’s case is compelling. The facts were not refuted because the cant be. EVERY high school in the Lake Washington District is closer than the closest high school in SVSD. 6 elementary school;s are closer than the closest in SVSD.
Also compelling is the fact that LWSD buses go through Broadhurst multiple times a day to pick up children in Canyon Creek which is part of LWSD thereby passing the Boradhusrt children on the street who are waiting for the SVSD buses to take them a significantly longer distance. Going through Broadhurst is the only ingress and egress to Canyon Creek. The district boundaries were drawn in 1944 before either neighborhood or much of the Ames Lake corridor was developed.
The helalth and welfar of the children should be the primary concern. That is the impetus for the petition.