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February 4, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess, News Releases

National experts present new research on benefits of high-quality universal preschool; Council Committee readies for report on early learning gaps in Seattle

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/4/2014

Council President Tim Burgess

National experts present new research on benefits of
high-quality universal preschool;
Council Committee readies for report on early learning gaps in Seattle

Seattle - City Council heard more compelling evidence yesterday from national experts on the immediate and long-term benefits for children and society when cities invest in high-quality preschool. While national expert Dr. Steven Barnett presented similar preschool benefits to the Council in June 2013, Monday's presentation by Dr. Hirokazu Yoshikawa and Dr. Christina Weiland further validates those benefits with the most recent research.

  • For each $1 invested in high-quality preschool, society can reap up to $5 in return.
  • Children make larger gains when quality is higher, as seen with:
    • Evidence-based curricula proven to produce social-emotional and learning gains
    • Warm, responsive teacher-child interactions
    • Teachers encouraging children to speak - "serve and return" conversation.
  • Both low-income and middle-income children benefit with school readiness and longer-term outcomes.

Supporting Documents:

  1. New Research on the Benefits of Universal Preschool
  2. Executive Summary -- Evidence Base on Preschool Education
  3. Evidence Base on Preschool Education
  4. Boston Universal Preschool Video
  5. Boston Universal Preschool Study

The new research from the professors lays the groundwork for Wednesday's Council Committee discussion of early learning gaps in Seattle.

WHAT: Gap Analysis and Draft Outreach Strategy of Preschool for All

WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 5 (preschool items likely starting at 10:00 a.m.)

WHERE: City Council Chambers, Seattle City Hall, 2nd Fl, 600 Fourth Ave, Seattle

WHO: Council's Education & Governance Committee, the City's Office for Education, and BERK Consulting

The City Council requested the Gap Analysis when it unanimously adopted its preschool Resolution 31478 on September 23, 2013. That Resolution establishes the city's goal of offering high-quality, affordable preschool to all three- and four-year olds in Seattle and calls for an Action Plan to get it done.

Several jurisdictions, including Boston, San Francisco, the State of Oklahoma, the State of West Virginia, and 31 local districts in New Jersey, are already implementing high-quality preschool open to all children and, according to independent studies, the participating children are achieving the intended positive outcomes. Seattle's Preschool for All efforts will determine the feasibility of achieving similar social justice, early learning impacts throughout our city.

Supporting Documents:

  1. Gap Analysis Report with Appendix
  2. Outreach Strategy draft
  3. Outreach handout

More information can be found at the City Council's preschool website: http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/PreschoolforAll/default.html

[View in Council Newsroom]

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February 3, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Harrell, News Releases

Seattle City Council names street after noted civil rights leader

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/3/2014

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Seattle City Council names street after noted civil rights leader

Seattle - City Council unanimously established the honorary name designation of 19th Avenue from East Union to East Madison Streets as "Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Ave." The resolution was adopted to honor the extraordinary civil rights work of Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney.

Reverend McKinney advanced Seattle's civil rights movement in the 1960s and served as minister and pastor of Seattle's Mount Zion Baptist Church from 1958 until his retirement in 1998. Dr. McKinney's voice echoed beyond the walls of the church and into the halls of local and state governments.

Dr. McKinney worked to sensitize the community to the needs of the less fortunate, regardless of ethnic background, and soon became a leading voice of the black community. In 1961, Reverend McKinney convinced his college classmate and friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to make his only Seattle visit in 1961 from November 8 to November 10.

"The push for equal employment, housing and educational opportunities from Dr. McKinney's bullhorn are issues we still work to solve today," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee. "Dr. McKinney and his late wife, Louise, made a lasting impact on race and social justice issues and positively influenced this city."

"Rev. McKinney continues to inspire and remind us today of the work that remains to be done for social justice," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.

"We are delighted to see the city of Seattle finally give honor to Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney for nearly 60 years of hard work and dedication to the civil rights movement in this city," said Gerald Hankerson, Seattle/King County NAACP President. "His lifetime of leadership and helping shape the city, as we know it today, is more than deserving of a street being named in his honor. We stand proud to see one of Seattle's iconic Civil Right leaders be recognized for his legacy and the many lives impacted by his work."

"I would like to applaud the Seattle City Council for naming this street to honor the Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney," said Michael Ramos, Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. "It is fitting, just and timely that such a designation be made, in honor of the great preacher, pastor, civil rights leader and community voice who has done so much in the walk for social justice. We thank you for affirming this designation and express our gratitude for the tremendous legacy that Rev. Dr. McKinney has left and continues to leave for us to build upon."

"As an original member of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, Rev. Dr. McKinney and his fellow Commissioners were responsible for the origination and ultimate passage of the open housing ordinance - the first fair housing act in Seattle's history," said Catherine Moore, Seattle Human Rights Commission Co-Chair. "This legislation was one of countless contributions by the Rev. Dr. McKinney to the realization of human rights in the city of Seattle. The Seattle Human Rights Commission owes a debt of gratitude to the Rev. Dr. McKinney for forging the path of the Commission as a voice for justice and human dignity." 

Councilmembers Bruce Harrell and Tom Rasmussen held two public feedback meetings in 2013, where community members expressed their support to recognize Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney at 19th Avenue.

The street name designation is honorary. The legal name of 19th Avenue would not change nor would the official addresses on the street.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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January 31, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Harrell, News Releases

Councilmember Harrell to keynote

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/31/2014

Councilmember Harrell to keynote "Gentrification Through the Eyes of Art"

Seattle - Kicking off the recognition of Black History Month, Councilmember Bruce Harrell will keynote an event that uses art to inspire a discussion of gentrification in Seattle neighborhoods. The evening will feature an art exhibit from local painters, sculptors, photographers and hip-hop artists illustrating the impact of gentrification.

What are the impacts of policy decisions and investments by local government? What role does class and education play in the discussion? As a native of Seattle, Councilmember Harrell will speak on the causes and effects of gentrification.

"I have witnessed the disenfranchisement of minorities, elderly and the working class as renters and owners have been driven out of the city they call home," said Councilmember Harrell. "Our policy decisions must embrace a balanced approach of development while retaining low-income households. We must make our neighborhoods more inclusive to residents of all economic backgrounds."

WHAT:
Through the Eyes of Art (Event Organized by The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle)

WHEN:
Saturday, February 1, 2014, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
EMP Museum
325 5th Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109

WHO:
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Local Artists

[View in Council Newsroom]

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January 27, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Harrell, News Releases

Councilmember Harrell encourages participation in Police Chief search workshops

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/27/2014

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Councilmember Harrell encourages participation in Police Chief search workshops

Seattle - Councilmember Bruce Harrell today encouraged the public to participate in Mayor Murray's police chief search process by attending one of the 7 neighborhood workshops, which begin tomorrow.  The Mayor's Community Advisory Committee will engage with Seattleites at the workshops, inquiring about the characteristics the community is looking for in a Chief of Police. If residents can't attend one of the 7 workshops, feedback is also welcome to be submitted online.

"I encourage neighbors to attend these workshops so we get the most comprehensive feedback possible as we decide the best person to command our police department," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "I thank Mayor Murray for undertaking such a comprehensive and community-focused Police Chief search process."

Seattle City Councilmembers will review the input collected by the search committee both from the workshops and content submitted online.  The Council's formal role in the police chief review process will occur later when the Mayor appoints a candidate and sends to Council for final confirmation.  Once the selection is made, visit www.seattle.gov/council for information about how the Council will make its final decision.

Workshop dates and locations:
University District
Tuesday, January 28, 6-8 p.m.
University Heights Center, Room 209
5031 University Way NE

Central District
Wednesday, January 29, 6-8 p.m.
Garfield Community Center, Multi-purpose Room
2323 E Cherry St

Southwest Seattle
Thursday, January 30, 6-8 p.m.
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Movement Studio
4408 Delridge Way SW

Rainier Valley
Saturday, February 1, 12-2 p.m.
Van Asselt Community Center, Multi-purpose Room
2920 S Myrtle St

Lake City
Tuesday, February 4, 6-8 p.m.
Pinehurst K-8 School, Lunchroom
11530 12th Ave NE

Ballard
Wednesday, February 5, 6-8 p.m.
Nordic Heritage Museum, Auditorium
3014 NW 67th St

Downtown
Thursday, February 6, 6-8 p.m.
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Reception Room
600 Fourth Avenue

[View in Council Newsroom]

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January 21, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases

Councilmember Sawant statement on Metro Cuts and proposed ‘Plan B’

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/21/2014

Councilmember Kshama Sawant

Councilmember Sawant statement on Metro Cuts and proposed 'Plan B'

SEATTLE - City Councilmember Kshama Sawant issued the following statement regarding the impending Metro cuts and the proposed Plan B Measure:

"A functioning transportation system is critical to the working people who make Seattle and the wider region run. The ongoing cuts to Metro disproportionately affect low-wage workers, the elderly, the disabled, and people of color. As a regular bus rider, I stand with other riders in King County who are opposing devastating cuts to these services. I am also in solidarity with Metro workers who are threatened with layoffs and a proposed wage freeze.

"The primary solution being put forward to address these cuts is the Transportation Benefit District Proposal (TBD), also called Plan B. This would cover the $74 million shortfall by using regressive taxation in the form of increasing the Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF) and raising sales tax by 0.1%. Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the nation. This proposal would force the same low-income households, already battered by the recession, to again pick up the tab on behalf of big business and the wealthiest 1%. Moreover, the TBD will not permanently solve the crisis and working people will be asked to pay again and again.

"Seattle and King County have an obligation to find progressive and permanent sources of funding to ensure cuts are averted, fares are reduced, and that Metro service is expanded with new priority given to chronically under-served neighborhoods."

[View in Council Newsroom]

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January 21, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess, Councilmember Harrell, News Releases

Council allows external hiring for top SPD commanders

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/21/2014

Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Council allows external hiring for top SPD commanders
Bill adopted to give hiring flexibility for new Chief of Police

Seattle - City Council unanimously adopted legislation today to allow the new Chief of Police to hire the best candidates for the top leadership positions of Deputy Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police in the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The legislation repealed a 1978 law that restricts the appointment of the top commanders in SPD to the pool of current SPD Captains and Lieutenants. The legislation allows the Chief to hire direct reports from either inside or outside the Department.

"We want the best possible police chief candidates, and this is one additional tool to help achieve truly effective and sustainable reform," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee.  "Successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement will require the best leadership possible and ending any resistance to positive change. Removing this hiring barrier sends a strong signal to the people of Seattle that the Department is positively changing."

"Our police officers deserve the best commanders we can find," said Council President Tim Burgess. "Whether they come from inside or outside the police department, good leaders will push everyone to work harder to keep our communities safe."

Of the seven comparably sized West Coast U.S. cities, only Seattle and San Jose disallowed external hires for police command staff prior to the adoption of today's legislation. The legislation continues to allow internal SPD candidates to aspire to these command assignments.

[View in Council Newsroom]