curated by Vee Hua 華婷婷
On Monday, March 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will be hosting a virtual session, open to all, so that the public can learn more about the SPS budget. Hosted on Zoom in a webinar format, the session comes at a time when the school district is facing what it describes as a "significant projected budget deficit"; it is anticipated that SPS will answer frequently asked questions and offer planning strategies that the school district plans to implement. The event follows their Feb. 28 work session around the school budget.
According to the "Funding Our Future" section of the SPS' website, this deficit is the result of several factors. Reasons they cite include "district decisions regarding programming and operations in support of our students; declining student enrollment while maintaining staffing levels; increased student and staff needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; persistent gaps in state basic education funding."
The Seattle School Board is required to pass a balanced budget and plan to work throughout the spring to address these issues. They will vote on a final 2023—24 budget on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Interpretation will be available in American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese interpreters.
SPS' "Funding Our Future" webpage goes in-depth on some of the frequently asked questions related to the SPS budget, provides a calendar of upcoming related events, shows archives of pass Seattle School Board meetings, and much more.
All locations of the Seattle Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, March 22, including The Central Library (1000 4th Ave.), for a staff in-service day. All branch library parking garages will also be closed, with the exception of the Central Library Garage.
Any library books due on that date will be automatically due on Thursday, March 23, when regular operating hours resume at all branches.
The City of Seattle's Human Services Department is seeking participants for the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP), a City-run initiative for young people ages 16—24 who may have an interest in career-building. The six-month program, with two-hour weekly sessions, offers young participants a stipend to participate in workforce training opportunities. It is designed for those from "communities that experience racial, social, and economic disparities to gain skills and pursue meaningful careers that pay well," according to a press release from the City.
Class portions of the program will teach participants skills around collaboration, communication, resumes, cover letters, networking, and financial literacy, as well as have potential opportunities for interfacing with industry professionals. Participants will learn in a cohort model with peers of similar ages.
Participants must live within Seattle city limits, be ages 16—24 at the start of the program, and live in a household with an income at or below 80% area median income.
Applications are open through Friday, March 24, and the program will begin Wednesday, July 5. Online applications and full details, including important dates, can be seen on the Human Services Department website.
For additional assistance, interested parties can call (206) 386-1375 or email SYEP@Seattle.gov with inquiries. Interpretation services are also available.
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The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!