[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071089,"mediaKeyId","3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a","parentId",3048084,"title","Tesla STEM students pick Python as new school mascot","audioSeconds",297,"startMs",344000,"endMs",641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a&start=344&end=641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a/thumbnail_344000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071089/Washington/Tesla-STEM-students-pick-Python-as-new-school-mascot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071089-6c27464d83b934861e85558473af8d1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997661&Signature=aMLbMLmTmbSiI~EpwqmXw0eZnTwFpjz4q8vbNiuNfU2HxLvcAwnLgj~~apjoU9Y5S-O8IHrBHDcW5OIMcQQ~f9AImKF5bwYYD4X9u8DLXvNXxYwPD3xnQcwD3WpmIJzM67g8YpU5ClBxIV0jgOaFg324PnrtEcSo9VlxXcS~qt4-mg6raQygG72QjF7zfit1kNc1ecYo~-5LT1xVPLOwRtR8ougcqbpyhZKag9SsEH23XT1yFHRCDJ0a1FTwbOy4BLHJK4KWpHYEbOCo2OUc326E~Y8UDusPjA1sY8KbO1xcI0tfi7EbA6Hc4dj1v1yStkhSpK2amYwvlH-9SXIfDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Washington School District, WA","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","Students from Tesla STEM High School presented the board Monday to announce the school’s new mascot, the Python, the result of a student‑led selection process that included nominations, district review and a runoff vote.

Kavitha (ASB president) introduced the student committee and described a multi‑step process co‑led by Principal Karkonen and the committee. The group solicited mascot nominations from the student body via a Microsoft form with guidance requiring animal mascots and culturally appropriate choices. From nominations the committee narrowed options to five finalists — axolotl, hummingbird, python, lightning bolt and salmon — and then ran a schoolwide vote that produced 483 responses, representing “over 80%” student participation according to the students’ presentation.

Because no candidate earned more than 50 percent in the first round, the school held a runoff between the top two: the Python and the axolotl. After the runoff and student outreach that included a video and a student news announcement, the students announced the Python as the new mascot and noted connections to STEM (programming language Python and other symbolic links), adaptability and resilience as reasons for the choice.

Students said the Python symbolizes creative and analytical thinking and growth (the ability to shed skin). Principal Karkonen and Dr. Holman (superintendent) were thanked by student speakers for supporting the student‑driven process. The students distributed Python‑inspired treats to the board after the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 7, 2025 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Students at Tesla STEM High School presented the mascot selection process to the Lake Washington School Board and announced the student‑chosen mascot: the Python, selected after a district‑approved process and student runoff voting that drew more than 80% participation at Tesla STEM.","taxTitle","Lake Washington School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14627,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071093,"Board adopts position statements for state association; approves consent agenda and two monitoring summaries",0,3626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a&start=3626&end=3626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a/thumbnail_3626000.jpg","/articles/6071093/Washington/Board-adopts-position-statements-for-state-association-approves-consent-agenda-and-two-monitoring-summaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071093-2ad1ba13dae32760abc50b39dcb15290/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997661&Signature=Vq0VzPGr10h2wNAscpklCMB1zJ1eBcswUIlbnurnmZmhucPvnvu05mcSi71JlMQ1U~QppNnYm3JvC~Hw6eCNhcplXveWFnkc9v8F5WNOfpT0AwDE1ZSwjQebIX3kLFhTXO2wpwrODP8ifxpcBrUHqDMHJ49JkO3rlglSWExIq3hA51c-3LGCDmOIhN7blIpB0G~RRGza4r9L9-03qrl~FrgHwyO61JLBZbWCOO7bh8ZB0Zm4mwwv~uiHVureMq9WFkbcwNV-TSri5k1rG4hF~dht9slwIyWdVcJIAlBDmh8LVs2agvYixsLhLIy79OYbkAxPH7Jp-g1Cyvog4Omqsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Washington School Board on April 7 approved several routine and policy‑related items, including submitting position proposals on climate change education and sustainability to the state association, approving the consent agenda and donations, and adopting board summaries for R1 (mission) and R2 (academic content, knowledge and skills).

Director Stewart moved and Director Laliberte seconded the motion to adopt the proposed position statements on climate change education and sustainability; the board voted voice aye and the motion carried. Director Laliberte moved and Director Stewart seconded approval of the consent agenda; the board approved the consent agenda and the superintendent reviewed donations totaling “over $60,000” from multiple school PTSA and community partners.

The board also voted to approve the Board summary for R1 (mission of Lake Washington School District) on a motion moved by Director Guthrie and seconded by Director Laliberte. The Board summary for R2 (academic content knowledge and skills) was approved on a motion moved by Director Stewart and seconded by Director Yocom.

All motions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded roll call tallies in the transcript; the chair announced “Aye” and said “Hearing none, motion carries” for each approved motion.","The Lake Washington School Board voted to adopt proposed position statements on climate change education and sustainability for submission to the state association (referred to in meeting as 'Wazda'), approved the consent agenda and donations, and approved two board monitoring summaries (R1 and R2).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071098,"Parents and educators call for investigation after masked intruder filmed at Wilder Elementary",1369,1117000,2486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a&start=1117&end=2486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a/thumbnail_1117000.jpg","/articles/6071098/Washington/Parents-and-educators-call-for-investigation-after-masked-intruder-filmed-at-Wilder-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071098-c28d66ab65ef0b4811960dbd8214e686/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997661&Signature=R1RFEizIOX3145NYndgepgvbLZzq4vN31ofWK62UXHdIhcVoo8i9C22U8JNroBrTzRs77~YoM7zY4JSzlbGZ6rzooEtfuBmC27WVp7qBeMHA3Qf~tIZY-9EJis9pWF9Z18gjDKdIQQeODqTmAdTj~BBzQnNOnygdUBrGIsxroM9jqLtYhQGjWpqWVJLbRtkEPYAmbDibsWlY9OieiVgM3fPEowoIoJZ1waAyFMB3WOKvkB7rEeOwTVj1PhwfXqTGwNWt6eht~9pn9hnIXFCwqjHTTB8uPmj-sLSv5DJgxSoEymkIJvHLw0q~kQbzBxRqdSS-DrASNIVwybTHiCXipA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A parent and longtime educator told the Lake Washington School Board on April 7 that a masked person wearing a costume entered Wilder Elementary on March 27, filmed students and staff for a YouTube video and was allowed into the building, and that district response did not follow the reporting steps required by state guidance.

David Locke, a 30‑year district parent and former principal, said a staff member engaged with the intruder but that the individual was permitted to remain on campus and was invited inside the school. Locke said that a week later a second masked intruder inspired by the video entered Wilder and that staff then called police and placed the school on lockdown. Locke asked the board to investigate the March 27 incident, determine whether established protocols were followed, and ensure every district school is prepared to respond to similar incidents.

Kyla Woodward, a parent of two elementary students (one at Wilder), told the board the incidents highlighted gaps in transparent communication and accountability. She said information should not “live with one person” at a school and urged immediate, clear communications to parents when a safety or potential safety concern arises. Woodward called for formal notification protocols that do not leave adjudication or notification to a single staff member.

Both speakers referenced state guidance for school safety reporting; Locke said OSPI mandates immediate reporting of suspicious activity, securing the campus, and contacting law enforcement when appropriate. Board members did not make an immediate directive during public comment; administration previously described that the second incident resulted in a lockdown and police involvement.

Commenters asked the district to review the March 27 response, to produce findings about whether protocols were followed, and to commit to faster and clearer parent and staff notifications when potential threats occur. The board did not vote on the matter during the meeting.","A masked person in a costume filmed on Wilder Elementary grounds on March 27; commenters said staff allowed the individual on campus and later an inspired copycat prompted a lockdown. Community members urged the board to review whether reporting and law‑enforcement procedures were followed and to improve transparency.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071103,"Parents, students and teachers urge Lake Washington board to preserve music and choir programs",470,1273000,1743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a&start=1273&end=1743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6071103/Washington/Parents-students-and-teachers-urge-Lake-Washington-board-to-preserve-music-and-choir-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071103-37d5ccc53de38c2231dc478d3f280135/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997661&Signature=fWFMdQDf2dNHJ0CxIKwbt0i~jGc2F8bRJXFfQzgjosyhHzcdIWujVbk1RP-VnEezURGbVITpe-xVgBzGaE4fLLmZE2uzguW2weTYLmSsbtKaILmHGjiGgLhq0mChsxTviDdmza7abau3lWoiHAZhUMVTenlEuXLLF0~qmrBIIQH9HaraJo44-ayaBTtzs-GjVzSLMChaJUwIUDiw9JgJ818hPWCWvPK2Dkp8l5Ndxde~OUdLlLSOp5l1z8Rw-Lb6Hba19-CEDWwrJ5Wh0na-EQeH0Rzzi1hiBcFpTyJqTnk-UXEq7KNFEpzbU8Q3RE6BzCyhYV7kcMjskrtNRan3EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, students, alumni and music educators urged the Lake Washington School Board Monday to reverse or mitigate cuts to performing arts programs and to improve district communication about Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit for music.

Sarah Hauserman, president of the Juanita High School Performing Arts Booster Club, told the board that the district’s move to a six‑period day has prompted students to drop performing arts classes and that district materials have not clearly communicated that four years of participation in music counts for CTE credit. She asked for consistent, districtwide messaging, updated website materials, and a window for students to revise elective choices after receiving corrected information.

Music teachers and students across the district echoed that concern. Erin Johns, music teacher at McAuliffe Elementary, asked the board to “support equity in action” by reinstating Eastlake High School’s choir and ensuring feeder middle schools offer choir during the school day regardless of enrollment numbers. Nicholas Gorny, music teacher at Mead Elementary, said choir teaches unique social and cognitive skills and that the elimination of choir in some feeder areas creates inequitable access compared with band and orchestra.

Several students described personal impacts. Lars Hauserman, a senior at Juanita High School, said participation in band and choir helped him win scholarships and that program cuts could hurt college opportunities. McKenna Bailey said she was not told choir could count for CTE credit and asked the district to reopen registration for incoming ninth graders. Anika Markell and other students warned that removing experienced conductors or reducing staffing will make it harder to sustain elementary and middle programs that feed high school ensembles.

Community members and performers framed the cuts as a threat to a “whole child” education: Kim Giordano, a Juanita parent and arts advocate, said reductions send “a clear, harmful message” and cited recent high‑level student achievements such as a Carnegie Hall trip for Juanita Orchestra.

Speakers proposed concrete steps: reopen elective registration for affected students, issue clear districtwide communications that four years of music qualifies as CTE (and extend the clarification to drama), reexamine enrollment thresholds used to cancel classes, and prioritize hiring and retention of experienced conductors and teachers.

Board members did not take action during the public comment period; Dr. Holman confirmed earlier in the meeting that some reinvestment FTE had been allocated to high schools as part of the budget response. The district’s budget presentation on staffing and program changes immediately followed public comment.

Speakers asked the board to treat the issue as time‑sensitive because registration and schedule building for next year are underway. Multiple speakers requested that the district revise student outreach and website materials promptly so families can make informed course selections.","More than a dozen parents, students and music teachers told the Lake Washington School Board during public comment that proposed program reductions and the shift to a six‑period day threaten access to music, choir and performing arts; speakers asked the district to reopen elective registration and clarify CTE credit messaging.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071108,"Lake Washington superintendent outlines $15.2 million in reductions, projects balanced budget for 2025–26",1190,3727000,4917000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a&start=3727&end=4917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048084-54edf959190283acdd259d0f2988155a/thumbnail_3727000.jpg","/articles/6071108/Washington/Lake-Washington-superintendent-outlines-152-million-in-reductions-projects-balanced-budget-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071108-14c0a704387f57d24a70a266a7d19d99/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997661&Signature=m5qAUKHhq7Ecg-sYatka7sz9W0uR9OR0Fdxv6PgX0UY6IQhFjuAljJOBLeLfR4Vdp70QTmy3v4f40Ou2E5cMYGnvJrzPecQIJ75XNrO6h2sUmHFAYCKopa~1Klz6oX5iCFjdy7BvMaRQQ8XF0zQhLJlkEZ9jL6DeU2Rxa-WqgACbAqH3aXdLJMHyyC~nzb6AthLI0vP8lEG7B8aMQ1JCUKy0lBVKI2ifeAzxkogQkNqRsFo4UbC2-UJ~YqvdUpuHNBCI27J1uOhyAECFja4XjQkp-8V03xZjHS90ZHVz3ohvf~718MvcZUZJ0fG8usd1HjxWBKhybXdNbVra2310Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Holman updated the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors Monday on state budget uncertainty and district plans to align revenues and expenditures beginning with the 2025–26 school year.

Dr. Holman said the district faces a multi‑year fiscal challenge driven by lower-than-forecast state revenue, inflationary pressures on contracts and materials, and a small decline in enrollment. He told the board the district has identified about $15,200,000 in reductions — some already implemented in prior budgets and some planned for 2025–26 — and plans to maintain a prudent fund balance while moving to a balanced baseline.

The district’s budget work matters because decisions about staffing, programming and classroom services flow from those assumptions. Dr. Holman said state budget negotiations remain unsettled and that any final state allocations will affect the district’s planning. He framed the state gap as a multi‑year problem, noting discussions of an $11 billion adjustment over four years to reconcile maintenance-level spending and revenue at the state level.

Key numbers and direction from Dr. Holman’s presentation included: the district’s annual operating budget is just over $600,000,000; district enrollment has declined about 2 percent (smaller than statewide averages); the superintendent’s staff estimate of required local reductions ranges from $12,000,000 to $16,000,000 annually; and the district’s current fund balance was discussed in the $60–$70 million range (reported as about $69,400,000 in board materials).

Dr. Holman listed reductions already made and proposed actions: central staffing realignments and eliminations; an online school closure that saved roughly $700,000 annually; prior midyear reductions (communications, purchasing, and other partial FTEs); targeted school‑level staffing adjustments that total about 94.8 FTE reductions; and central discretionary cuts including a one‑time 5 percent reduction across central administrative budgets. He said some of the savings will be reinvested — for example, additional FTE for each comprehensive high school and investment in districtwide elementary instruments — and that about $6,800,000 of school‑level savings were identified alongside roughly 33.4 FTE of reinvestment.

On staffing models, Dr. Holman described a return in some schools to combined fourth‑ and fifth‑grade allocations (principals receive a combined 4/5 staffing allocation and decide grade distribution locally) to normalize class sizes and shift resources into K–3. He said the change will produce both cost savings and reinvestment into primary grades to support literacy and inclusion goals.

Dr. Holman described personnel strategies intended to reduce the human impact of layoffs: placing continuing or provisional contracted teachers into year‑long leave‑replacement positions where feasible; using a RIF pool so certificated staff who are released are first offered openings that arise during the following year; and partnering with the Lake Washington Education Association to follow contract procedures. He said board action to adopt formal reduction‑in‑force resolutions will be brought in a future meeting.

On revenue actions, the district revised athletic fees and eliminated the “third sport free” discount for some participants and made a modest per‑sport increase (about $25 per sport), generating an estimated $200,000–$250,000 of additional revenue. Dr. Holman also described transfers from capital to general fund for some data services and technology outlays and said the district will continue to evaluate smaller reductions not yet finalized.

The presentation noted the board’s prior discussion about policy OE 5.11 (fund balance target). Dr. Holman said the board had asked staff to present an updated interpretation raising the targeted unassigned ending fund balance from 5 percent to 7 percent of projected revenues; Director Stewart asked whether that 2 percentage‑point change equals about $10–$12 million, and administration confirmed that ballpark.

Board discussion included clarifying questions from Director Guthrie and others about whether the 7 percent threshold applies to budgeted or reported ending fund balance (administration said the compliance element is the reported ending fund balance). Dr. Holman said a formal first reading of the 2025–26 budget will be presented in June with adoption planned later, contingent on final state action.

Dr. Holman closed by emphasizing the district’s prior fiscal planning (10‑year forecasts, multi‑year fund balance use) and framing the coming baseline as “different” from previous years: “We are not able to conduct business as usual,” he said, and staff are working to preserve core services while aligning the budget.

Looking ahead, Dr. Holman said staffing and school schedule building are underway, that kindergarten enrollment timing affects elementary staffing accuracy, and that the district will return to the board with formal RIF resolutions and final budget readings once state revenues are clearer.","Superintendent Dr. Holman told the Lake Washington School Board that the district must cut roughly $12–$16 million and implement staffing changes to produce a balanced 2025–26 budget, while preserving reserves and shifting some spending into capital and fee adjustments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tesla STEM students pick Python as new school mascot

Board adopts position statements for state association; approves consent agenda and two monitoring summaries

Parents and educators call for investigation after masked intruder filmed at Wilder Elementary

Parents, students and teachers urge Lake Washington board to preserve music and choir programs

Lake Washington superintendent outlines $15.2 million in reductions, projects balanced budget for 2025–26