With my grandson Noah, a kindergartner at Kimball Elementary School
Today my grandson Noah and I had the honor of joining teachers and supporters from across the City and around the state calling on legislators to live up to their paramount duty and fully fund public education. Too many children have been denied their constitutional rights to education. The 52,000 students in the Seattle Public Schools, their parents, and the 9,000 staff, including those that belong to the Seattle Education Association, have waited too long. With my grandchildren Noah, Nico and Kira soon to all be in public schools, I don’t want to wait any longer.
We started our day at the Jefferson Community Center, where over 80 school children were playing dodgeball and other games. Thanks to the wonderful Seattle Parks and recreation staff at Jefferson and all 21 community centers where the city offered free recreational activities for Seattle students today!
From there, we headed over to Westlake Park to participate in the rally. We were proud to be among the thousands of people gathered there, calling that “good schools require good funding!”
When I took office, I pledged in my oath to uphold the Constitution of the State of Washington, as did our state legislators. In light of that oath, I will continue, as a councilmember, to advocate for full funding of public education and to hold the State accountable to its own paramount constitutional duty “’ to make ample provision for the education of all children.” The legislature, now in special session, must live up to their oath.