Jim Allen

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News >  Spokane

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Regal Elementary students learn the rudiments of coding

UPDATED: Tue., May 28, 2019

On Tuesday afternoon, the sixth-graders at Regal Elementary School didn’t really care that there’s good money to be made in computer science. The kids just wanted to get at the bright-colored laptops sitting in front of them.

News >  Education

Is another levy the best option for strapped Spokane Public Schools?

Sun., May 26, 2019

Facing a projected $21.5 million deficit next year, Spokane Public Schools must decide by midsummer whether to place a supplementary levy on the November ballot.

News >  Spokane

Don’t schedule an outdoor wedding for Memorial Day weekend in Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., May 24, 2019

It’s not your imagination: The weather in Spokane for Memorial Day weekend usually isn’t very good.

News >  Education

Safe Havens executive director surprised by lack of armed security in Spokane schools

Fri., May 24, 2019

The contentious issue of arming campus resource officers in Spokane Public Schools just returned to the front burner, following the recommendation from a national expert to do just that.

News >  Education

Rogers High School students learned the hard way and now they’re off to college

Wed., May 22, 2019

As Principal Lori Wyborney looked on like a “proud, crying mom,” dozens of seniors filled the gymnasium at Rogers High School on Friday. The occasion was signing day for Rogers’ 100% College Application Completion project, which promised a future – in college, the military or the trades – to all who dared to chase that dream.

News >  Education

School district making changes to ensure poor students have better chance at gifted school

Tue., May 21, 2019

Spokane schools are taking a closer look at disparitites in its gifted learning programs. Students from schools in poorer neighborhoods are far less likely to enroll in gifted programs than students from schools in more affluent neighborhoods.

News >  Education

Newcomers ready to campaign for Spokane school board as three incumbents decline to seek re-election

Sat., May 18, 2019

Three incumbents declined to file for re-election to the Spokane Public Schools board of directors this week, setting the stage for newcomers to help tackle public education policy and budgeting.

News >  Spokane

Colville High School’s rocket team soars into national finals

Fri., May 17, 2019

Before they could shoot for the moon, the rocketry team at Colville had to overcome a few earthly obstacles.

News >  Education

Five candidates with education backgrounds file for school board seats

Wed., May 15, 2019

Five candidates with varied ties to public education want to take them even further by seeking election to the Spokane Public Schools board of directors.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools pushes transparency as concerned parents work through biggest worries

Wed., May 15, 2019

Chalk one up for the power of transparency. On a night that was all about optics, the folks at Spokane Public Schools decided to bare it all – and came away looking pretty good.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women to play in Gulf Coast Showcase over Thanksgiving weekend

UPDATED: Tue., May 14, 2019

The Gonzaga women will play in another eight-team Thanksgiving weekend tournament this season.

News >  Education

School boards draw challengers amid budget crisis and layoffs

Tue., May 14, 2019

School board races are off to a fast start in Spokane County – especially in Mead, where at least one challenger has promised to make an issue of the district’s recent decision to close two popular programs.

Sports >  Gonzaga women

Guard Cierra Walker will transfer from Vanderbilt to Gonzaga

UPDATED: Mon., May 13, 2019

Gonzaga’s outside shooting game is going to get more help, though perhaps not until the fall of 2020. Former Vanderbilt guard Cierra Walker, one of the top perimeter shooters in the Southeastern Conference this year, announced via social media on Monday afternoon that she’s transferring to GU.

News >  Spokane

Joggers stride past Lime scooters in Riverfront Park amid city slowdown rules

UPDATED: Mon., May 13, 2019

Lime scooters returned to Spokane on Monday and the new rules are are slowing down traffic in Riverfront Park.

News >  Education

Bigger, better Linwood Elementary: ‘Like opening a big present’

Mon., May 13, 2019

For Alisha Rawley’s first-graders at Linwood Elementary School, the entertainment began last year outside their window.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools board of directors could see multiple new faces as position terms come to end

Fri., May 10, 2019

By the end of the year there will be at least one new face on the Spokane Public Schools board of directors.

News >  Spokane

Survey: 1 in 5 Spokane eighth-graders tried vaping

Fri., May 10, 2019

If they didn’t know already, Spokane Public Schools board members got the news Wednesday night: A deep fog has descended on bathroom stalls at almost every school in the district, and it isn’t drifting away any time soon.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Public Schools to hold three listening sessions next week on budget

UPDATED: Wed., May 8, 2019

Next week at three Spokane high schools, the district will hold open-house-style listening sessions with the community on all facets of the budget - and some hot-button issues.

News >  Education

Mead School Board cuts alternative school, suspends Riverpoint, but staff layoffs still under review

UPDATED: Tue., May 7, 2019

Budget cuts approved Tuesday night by the Mead School Board will shutter M.E.A.D. Alternative High School and temporarily close Riverpoint Academy.

News >  Spokane

Mead School District to make decision on budget cuts Tuesday

UPDATED: Mon., May 6, 2019

Two weeks after hearing impassioned pleas on behalf of several endangered programs, the district’s board of directors is expected to make a final decision Tuesday night.

News >  Education

A long summer awaits Spokane Public Schools with one lingering question: Will they seek a supplemental levy?

Fri., May 3, 2019

A few minutes after 9 o’clock Wednesday night, reality struck the Spokane Public Schools board of directors: This will be a long summer.

News >  Education

Spokane Schools downsizing Eagle Peak, relocating students and programs throughout district

Fri., May 3, 2019

Eagle Peak, an alternative school located in the former Pratt Elementary School building, will be downsized and most of its 80 students and staff sent to other schools and facilities this fall, Spokane Public Schools announced Thursday.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Public Schools hands layoff notices to 72 classified staff

UPDATED: Thu., May 2, 2019

Among the biggest cuts in next year’s Spokane Public Schools proposed operating budget announced Thursday is $4.65 million in support services – primarily custodial and maintenance operations.

News >  Education

Despite more state money, Spokane Public Schools plans to lay off employees

UPDATED: Thu., May 2, 2019

The numbers aren’t yet fully crunched, but Spokane Public Schools officials are hopeful that money from the just-concluded legislative session will help it close a projected $31 million budget deficit next year.

News >  Education

Spokane Public Schools’ use of restraints, isolation rooms increased again, but officials claim reporting error

Thu., May 2, 2019

For the second year in a row, Spokane Public Schools placed students in isolation rooms or restraints at a rate far higher than other districts in the school year 2017-18.