Seattle Public Schools have only been back in session for about a month, but it’s already been a busy year for the district. 

We wanted to get caught up on what’s been happening, so we reached out to Interim Superintendent Fred Podesta for a conversation last week. 

We talked with him about school lunch protests, the budget, and a proposed pilot program to bring a school engagement officer back to one Seattle high school. 

Guest

Fred Podesta, interim superintendent, Seattle Public Schools

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

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

Seattle Public Schools have only been back in session for about a month, but it&rsquo;s already been a busy year for the district.&nbsp;
We wanted to get caught up on what&rsquo;s been happening, so we reached out to Interim Superintendent Fred Podesta for a conversation last week.&nbsp;
We talked with him about school lunch protests, the budget, and a <a href="https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/09/23/seattle-school-board-considers-returning-police-to-garfield-high/">proposed pilot program</a> to bring a school engagement officer back to one Seattle high school.&nbsp;
Guest
Fred Podesta, interim superintendent, Seattle Public Schools 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://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Fred Podesta takes our questions on school closures, budget shortfalls, the proposed school engagement officer pilot, and much more. 

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