Soundings (10/11/16)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot on Oct 11, 2016
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Glen Groenig
 
President Dannon congratulated the birthdays of Bob Becker and Mike Bates, and the Rotary anniversary of Sue Sharpe.
 
Dannon related some from our club history from late 1989-90.
 
Visiting Rotarians: Steven Ban (Bellingham)
 
Guests: None
 
Announcements 
 
THIS Thursday 4:30pm Board Meeting at Dannon’s office: 2011 Young Street 
 
Eddie said there will be an upcoming fellowship event October 30, 1:30pm at the Bellingham Sportsplex.
 
Carlye said the Third Thursday Business Lunch will be at Anthony Hearthfire, this Thursday October 20 at 12:00pm.
 
Carlye said the First Thursday Rotary Happy Hour will be at Hotel Bellwether, on Thursday Nov. 3 at 4:30pm.
 
Bryant update on Grape & Gourmet: (Sunday 11/6/16 at Silver Reef Event Center)
General admission tickets (6:30-8:30p) $90/each
VIP tickets (5pm-8:30) $125/each (early entry + extra discount in the wine store + exclusive raffle)
This our club’s biggest fundraiser.  Each Rotarian is expected to buy at least $360.
Wine Tasting event for pre-sales will be THIS THURSDAY night at 6-8pm at Bryant’s house.
 
Business Promo Bucket:  Steve Swan apologizes for missed meetings.  Steve has been touring his new boss, Sabah Randhawa - President of WWU, around the PNW.  Dr. Randhawa is a really a great person who listens and cares about the entire WWU community and Bellingham.  Steve says he will be a great President for the University.
 
District 5050 Rotary Foundation Dinner November 12,2016, 5pm at McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Dannon went to Walla Walla for some continuing education courses, tasted some good wines there, thank Jeff Clement for his work on her office computer upgrades;
  • Brad Cornwell with sad but proud bucks for his Oregon Ducks;
  • Frank Chmelick took a trip with college buddies - LBJ Ranch?
  • Glen Groenig trip with son and grandson to Eastern WA for hunting;
  • Bob Moles went to Okanagan wine festival;
  • Mark Turner was in Seattle last week attending photography workshop studying “light painting” technique, and announced he has "come out" on this National Coming Out Day!
  • Mike Bates was in Maine attending son's wedding - was more expensive than he bargained for!
  • Mimi Ferlin enjoyed Husky game, went to Salem OR to see son who is in law school there at Willamette Law School;
  • Bill Geyer update on (another) successful church construction project (this one located across from Northwest soccer fields);
  • Paul Twedt went to NYC with wife to see Seahawks (vs Jets), then Chicago for conference, then CA and then Vegas!
  • John Sleeth selling his entire piano collection, prices negotiable!
Sergeant at Arms by Flo
Fines for various misdemeanors. 
 
Program
Tresha introduced executive director of the Bellingham Public School Foundation (http://www.bellinghamschoolsfoundation.org), Kim Lund.  Kim grew up in Bellingham, is a UW grad, and a former engineer.  Kim talked about how we fund public primary education in WA:
She recommends reading the Seattle Times “Education Lab Series” articles.
The landmark McCleary Case:  In 2007 a group of families sued the state for not funding primary education to the level mandated by State Constitution. This, they argued, was forcing all local communities in WA State to supplement their revenue shortfall through fundraising via local levies; this in turn left many communities falling behind in the quality of their education.  In 2012, the State Supreme Court ruled in their favor, forcing the State Legislature to provide more funding to schools.  Even 4 years later, the State legislature is still grappling today with how to raise the necessary funds to do this.
 
Levies by law in WA are supposed to fund “enhancements and enrichment”, not operations or salaries. In Bellingham there will be a levy this November for transportation, which is in keeping with “enhancements”.
Sources of revenue:  State provides 50% of revenue needed, Fed provides 20%, and levies fund another 25%. So education is now almost fullly funded - 5% short.  The BPSF steps in to cover that final 5% shortfall in funding.
 
Per pupil spending ranges $12K - $8K in Whatcom County, depending on the area. Last year the BPSF raised about $176,000.  This figure works out to an average of $18/yr / student.  $35K funded employment of a grant writer and a volunteer coordinator.  Also $17K was given for STEM studies.  "One Schoolhouse" philosophy is to equalize opportunities between schools.  The BPSF is also working to build an endowment as a more sustainable supply of money for future programs.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot