In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we talk with Jie Lei, a Seattle Public Schools parent and former student, about the past, present, and uncertain future of the district’s Highly Capable and Advanced Learning programs. Jie shares po...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage.&...

In this episode of Rainy Day Recess, we explore the Seattle Public Schools budget crisis with guest Alex Wakeman Rouse, co-chair of All Together for Seattle Schools. We dive into All Together for Seattle Schools' advocacy work, especia...

Rainy Day Rundown is your weekly update on the latest happenings in education and the community. From important meetings and policy decisions to ongoing conversations and local initiatives, we keep you in the loop and ready to engage.&...

In this inaugural episode of Rainy Day Recess, Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido delve into the high-stakes Seattle School Board meeting of November 19. The meeting saw a cascade of emotions, pivotal decisions, and a dramatic shift...

In this introductory trailer for Rainy Day Recess, hosts Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido introduce their new podcast, which focuses on making Seattle Public Schools' decisions and policies accessible and understandable to the com...

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In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, hosts Christie, Jane, and Jasmine dive into the data-rich presentation on Seattle Public Schools' student outcomes, delivered by Dr. Ray Hart, Executive Director of the Council of Great City School...

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, school board director Gina Topp discusses the school closure plans with co-hosts Christie and Jane. The three also discuss Seattle Public Schools’ $94 million budget gap, the upcoming legislative s...

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we dive into Seattle Public Schools' proposal to close and consolidate four elementary schools: North Beach, Sacajawea, Stevens, and Sanislo. Christie, Jane, and Jasmine explore critical questions ...

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we sit down with former Seattle Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Stephen Nielsen to understand the implications of “binding conditions” and potential state oversight for Seattle Public Schools ...

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, we discuss school and student safety in Seattle Public Schools, featuring interviews with students, staff, and parents. We explore concerns about balancing physical safety measures with the need fo...

In this episode of Seattle Hall Pass, School Board Director Joe Mizrahi shares his perspective on Seattle Public Schools' plans for addressing declining enrollment and budget deficits. Director Mizrahi emphasizes the importance of mini...

Christie, Jane, and Jasmine break down the October 9 Seattle School Board meeting, where the board passed a resolution to close up to five schools. We discuss the surprise executive session, held behind closed doors, and the newly imposed contr...

In this first episode of our Option C series, we explore alternatives to Seattle Public Schools' closure plans, known as Options A and B, which initially proposed closing up to 21 schools. Our guest, Ben Gitenstein, an S...

In this episode, we discuss Seattle Public Schools' revised plan to close 5 schools instead of 17-21, and the renewal of Superintendent Jones' contract with modified evaluation metrics. We reflect on feedback from our previous episode and empha...

This episode of Seattle Hall Pass focuses on three main stories converging in Seattle Public Schools:The Financial StoryThe Equity StoryThe Student Story... and how these competing priorities create a ...

Seattle Public School Board President Liza Rankin, Student Outcomes Focused Governance coach AJ Crabill, and public school advocate Robert Cruickshank are interviewed about the governance model used by the SPS School Board. Thanks to Dawson Nic...

Seattle Public Schools has finally released potential lists of schools to close. We attempt to sort through some of the information.See our

We review major topics from the school board meeting on August 28. Topics include: school closures and state fundingdual-language immersion principals’ union contracthighly capable services<...

Christie, Jasmine, and Jane discuss new safety measures being implemented for the upcoming school year.  The total investment of $14.55 million by the city and school district includes mental health support, violence intervention, and incr...

Christie Robertson and intern Jasmine Pulido look back at Season One of Seattle Hall Pass, which spanned the 2023-24 school year at Seattle Public Schools. They reference Hall Pass episodes on the district’s budget woes, postponed school closur...

Jane and Christie cover the June 26, 2024 school board meeting with help from our new intern, Jasmine Pulido. Topics include the postponement of releasing a list of schools to be closed in 2025, the 2024-25 budget introduction and hearing, and ...

This is a new segment called "What Do Other Districts Do?" In this episode, we discuss how other districts handle school closures and how often other districts have school board meetings.See our

This is a video! See the video here!In 2005, Seattle Public Schools was projecting falling enrollment, and over the ensuing years, 11 schools were closed. But it turned out that ...