Jim Allen

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News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools rejected asking for a supplemental levy last week. Here’s what that means.

Mon., March 2, 2020

In trading away the chance for a one-time infusion of $22.5 million and instead spend down reserves, the district increased its trust with voters and time to campaign for a three-year replacement levy. But it will mean operating on slim margins for the next school year.

News >  Education

Bing Crosby Middle School? Spokane district seeks input on naming 3 new schools

Sun., March 1, 2020

As Spokane Public Schools prepares to build three new middle schools, officials want the public’s best suggestions on what to call them.

News >  Education

Report gives mixed picture of school discipline at Spokane Public Schools

Sun., March 1, 2020

The most encouraging number is a 69% drop in the use of isolation and restraints. A year ago at this time, the district used those measures 3,332 times; this year that number is 1,035. But districtwide, arrests are up 26% and nonwhite students continue to experience a disproportionate number of disciplinary incidents.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Jenn Wirth, LeeAnne Wirth help No. 11 Gonzaga women down Portland 56-42

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 29, 2020

LeeAnne Wirth had 14 points while twin sister Jenn Wirth had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 11 Gonzaga wrapped up its best regular season in program history with a 56-42 victory over Portland on Saturday.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women look to head into WCC Tournament on high note against Portland in regular-season finale

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

There will be plenty at stake Saturday afternoon when the visiting Gonzaga women take on the Portland Pilots.

News >  Education

‘It’s time to prepare’: Area school districts adapt to threat of coronavirus

Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

In Spokane and around the country, schools are responding to alarm bells over the growing threat of the coronavirus. For schools, that could mean widespread disruption, including partial closures and a temporary reliance on internet-based “teleschooling” while the virus runs its course.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools decides against supplemental levy

Wed., Feb. 26, 2020

A sharply divided Spokane Public Schools board decided late Wednesday night against seeking a supplemental levy in a special election in April.

News >  Education

Public welcome at pair of Wednesday meetings on possible Spokane Public Schools levy

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 25, 2020

The Spokane Public Schools board of directors will face some tough choices Wednesday night as they consider whether to put a one-year supplemental levy on the April ballot.

News >  Education

Shelley Redinger named semifinalist for top job at Nashville school district

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 25, 2020

Three days after withdrawing from consideration for a schools chief position in Arizona, Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Redinger is one of five semifinalists to lead the second-largest district in Tennessee.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women earn program-best No. 10 ranking in latest USA Today coaches poll

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 25, 2020

Until this week, no GU women’s team had broken into the top 10 of the coaches or the Associated Press media poll.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women move up to 11th in AP poll

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 24, 2020

In every way, the Gonzaga women are back on track.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women use big third quarter to down Pepperdine 64-50

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 22, 2020

Jill Townsend scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, leading No. 13 Gonzaga past Pepperdine on Saturday in Malibu, California.

News >  Education

Shelley Redinger withdraws from consideration as Scottsdale schools chief

UPDATED: Sat., Feb. 22, 2020

For now at least, Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Redinger isn’t going anywhere.

News >  Education

Scottsdale school district defers decision on whether to hire Redinger as superintendent

Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

After eight hours of interviews with stakeholders and a three-hour executive session Friday night, the Scottsdale Unified School District board was unable to decide on a superintendent from a three-person field that includes Spokane schools chief Shelley Redinger.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women turning great defense into strong offense ahead of trip to Pepperdine

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

Twenty minutes of game time is a small sample size, but the Gonzaga women appear to be recapturing their offensive rhythm.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women use second-half surge to top Loyola Marymount, claim outright WCC regular-season title

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 20, 2020

Jill Townsend scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds as No. 13 Gonzaga took over in the second half en route to a 75-47 victory over Loyola Marymount on Thursday in Los Angeles.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools board weighs options as it considers new levy

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

The Spokane Public Schools board of directors crunched a lot of numbers Wednesday night, but board members want to see a few more before deciding whether to put a supplemental levy before voters this year.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women look to improve aim against Loyola Marymount while eyeing outright WCC title

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Last weekend, the Zags swept USF and Santa Clara by holding those teams to 34% shooting and dominating on the boards.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Former Gonzaga standout Heather Bowman to be inducted into West Coast Conference Hall of Honor

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

The Hall of Honor class, which includes one former student-athlete from each WCC school, will be formally inducted at the WCC Hall of Honor Brunch on March 7 at the Mardi Gras Ballroom in the Orleans Hotel.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga’s Lisa Fortier named Naismith coach of the year late-season candidate

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

The Naismith list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists on March 4, and the finalists will be revealed on March 19.

News >  Education

Is Spokane Public Schools superintendent leaving? Answer could come by Friday

Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Shelley Redinger, Spokane schools superintendent, is a finalist for a similar job in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is an applicant for the superintendent job in Nashville, Tennessee.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools may seek new levy to ease budget woes

Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

Spokane Public Schools may consider asking voters to raise property taxes to offset budget deficits created by state government changes to school funding along with pay raises given in 2018.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

School continues as usual after source of Ferris High threat identified

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 18, 2020

Classes were in session Tuesday at Ferris High School despite a social media threat that prompted a reassuring message to parents the previous night from Principal Ken Schutz.

News >  Education

DreamBox computer learning bolsters Westview student achievement

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 18, 2020

Students in Nikki Carney’s second-grade class are adding and subtracting three-digit numbers with ease. And not just any three-digit numbers. These involve carrying and borrowing – tasks that would test most adults.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Bulldogs climb two spots to No. 13 in AP poll

Mon., Feb. 17, 2020

Moments after putting away Santa Clara and capping Senior Day with another conference title, Gonzaga Coach Lisa Fortier was equal parts cheerful and relieved.