For weeks, Seattle Public Schools families have been waiting for news about school closures. In May, the district announced plans to close 20 elementary schools to shore up its budget.

And that left parents, and students, wondering if their local school was on the chopping block. Last night was supposed to be the night they would learn which schools will close, but they’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out.

Guest:
Sami West, KUOW education reporter

Relevant Links: 
KUOW: Families won't know which Seattle schools may close until fall
KUOW: Will closing schools really balance the budget for Seattle Public Schools? Parents have their doubts

For weeks, Seattle Public Schools families have been waiting for news about school closures. In May, the district announced plans to close 20 elementary schools to shore up its budget. And that left parents, and students, wondering if their local school was on the chopping block. Last night was supposed to be the night they would learn which schools will close, but they’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Sami West, KUOW education reporter</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links: 
<ul>
<li>KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-public-schools-will-have-to-wait-until-fall-to-learn-which-schools-will-close">Families won't know which Seattle schools may close until fall</a></li>
<li>KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/will-closing-schools-really-balance-the-budget-for-seattle-public-schools-parents-have-their-doubts">Will closing schools really balance the budget for Seattle Public Schools? Parents have their doubts</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.

Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.

Soundside

Seattle delays decision on which schools will close

Front Page - Wednesday Sept 23

City Council President Joy Hollingsworth

Budget deficits are an annual trend for post pandemic Seattle. The city is facing a projected $175 million dollar budget shortfall next year. To solve that, the city's socialist mayor has put forward no new taxes. She’s instead calling for cuts to many departments, while adding more police.

Now the ball is in the city council’s court, to amend and pass the budget by the end of the year.

This is just one of the many items the council has on its plate – including housing and public safety initiatives.

Today on the show: Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Budget deficits are an annual trend for post pandemic Seattle. The city is facing a projected $175 million dollar budget shortfall next year. To solve that, the city's socialist mayor has put forward no new taxes. She&rsquo;s instead calling for cuts to many departments, while adding more police.
Now the ball is in the city council&rsquo;s court, to amend and pass the budget by the end of the year.
This is just one of the many items the council has on its plate &ndash; including housing and public safety initiatives.
Today on the show: Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes"> donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth comes into the KUOW Studio for a conversation with Soundside hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman

Council President Hollingsworth on the budget, progressive policies, and mayor's homelessness goals

Front Page - Tuesday Sept 22

SPS Screen Time Limitations

Seattle Public Library part 1

Seattle Public Library part 2

A broken window on the 9th floor of Seattle's Central Library symbolizes a six billion dollar problem. Much of the city’s infrastructure is aging. 

The animal shelter needs renovations, the Fire Department needs a new headquarters – the city even needs new maintenance yards.

And competition for those dollars is going to be pretty intense. The city’s budget is in a tough place and previous ways the city has raised money iwon't be around forever. 

Plus: A new screen time policy at Seattle Public Schools for K-2 students

Today on the show:
Noel Gasca, KUOW reporter
Tom Fay, chief librarian, Seattle Public Library
Rob Gannon, director of administrative services, Seattle Public Library
Keith Harris, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Urban Design & Planning at the University of Washington
Jesse Praeter, library patron
Peter Wheeler, library patron

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

 

 

 

 

A broken window on the 9th floor of Seattle's Central Library <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattles-infrastructure-needs-billions-in-repair-the-library-is-just-the-start/">symbolizes a six billion dollar problem</a>. Much of the city&rsquo;s infrastructure is aging.&nbsp;
The animal shelter needs renovations, the Fire Department needs a new headquarters &ndash; the city even needs new maintenance yards.
And competition for those dollars is going to be pretty intense. The city&rsquo;s budget is in a tough place and previous ways the city has raised money iwon't be around forever.&nbsp;
Plus: A <a href="https://www.kuow.org/education/2026-09-21/k-2-students-no-longer-get-personal-ipads-seattle-superintendent-says-pledging-less-screen-time">new screen time policy at Seattle Public Schools</a> for K-2 students Today on the show: Noel Gasca, KUOW reporter Tom Fay, chief librarian, Seattle Public Library Rob Gannon, director of administrative services, Seattle Public Library Keith Harris, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Urban Design &amp; Planning at the University of Washington Jesse Praeter, library patron Peter Wheeler, library patron
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
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&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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We went downtown to visit a broken window at the Central Library, and all we got was a conversation about bonds and levies.

A broken window, the Central Library and a $6 billion city-wide problem

Front Page - Monday Sept 21

LD46: Gerry Pollet

LD46: Will Dreher

Washington’s 46th Legislative District covers the north end of the city of Seattle, from the northern City Limit at 145th down to NE 45th, and from Aurora Ave N out to Lake Washington.

Gerry Pollet is a lawyer and environmental advocate who has represented the district in Olympia since 2012. He currently chairs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review committee and is running for re-election this year.

He attracted two motivated challengers this year, both Democrats, and will now face Will Dreher, a former assistant U.S. Attorney and partner at the law firm Keller Rohrback, in the general election. 

We’ve invited them both into the studio to talk about their platforms.

Today on the show:
Gerry Pollet
Will Dreher

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Washington&rsquo;s 46th Legislative District covers the north end of the city of Seattle, from the northern City Limit at 145th down to NE 45th, and from Aurora Ave N out to Lake Washington.
Gerry Pollet is a lawyer and environmental advocate who has represented the district in Olympia since 2012. He currently chairs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review committee and is running for re-election this year.
He attracted two motivated challengers this year, both Democrats, and will now face Will Dreher, a former assistant U.S. Attorney and partner at the law firm Keller Rohrback, in the general election.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve invited them both into the studio to talk about their platforms.
Today on the show:
<ul>
<li>Gerry Pollet</li>
<li>Will Dreher</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside host David Kroman interviews both candidates for WA State Legislative District 46 House Position 1: Incumbent Gerry Pollet and Challenger Will Dreher

Seattle delays decision on which schools will close

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