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Sent via email to sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov

SEATTLE
PUBLiC
SCHOOLS

September 21, 2016

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Chair, Human Services and Public Health Committee
Seattle City Council
P0 Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Dear Councilmember Bagshaw,

As Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, I write to express our concern with Council Bill 118794
regarding encampments on public property.
We are well aware that the City of Seattle is experiencing remarkable growth in population and
grappling with the challenges that come with growth, including affordable housing, school and child care
capacity, and traffic, to name just a few. As a school district, our primary role is supporting and
educating all our students, including those that come from families experiencing homelessness. When
considering how Seattle Public Schools is able to meet the needs of our students, our top priorities are
assuring their safety and security as well as ensuring an undisrupted school environment. If camping is
allowed on school grounds or adjacent property, even for a short duration, we are concerned about the
disruption and potential security risks this could create for our students and staff.
Our review of this legislation has raised several important questions for us:
Under this legislation, would City agencies be prohibited from providing Seattle Public Schools
assistance in an immediate clean-up of an encampment on school district property?
Would this legislation conflict with our schools general safety rules which are to exclude from
school grounds during the school day any person without a student at the school or an official
need to be on the premises?
What support would be given to school communities during the 42 hour or 30-day notice period
required prior to clean-up efforts?
How would this proposed ordinance protect every staff and students privacy and safety?
How would the proposed restrictions not violate the constitutional and civil rights of Seattle
Public Schools staff and students?
Who would concerned parents contact in the event of an encampment on school property?
What recourse would parents and students have if students or staff were harmed or their
privacy violated?
How would the required notice window in this ordinance interface with enforcement of the
crime of disruption of school activities (Seattle Municipal Code 12A.12.030)?

OFFICE OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT

John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

Mailing Address: MS 32-150
P0 Box 34165

2445 3rd Avenue South 98134 * www.seattleschools.org

Seattle, WA 98124-1165 * Tel: 206.252.0100 * Fax: 206.252.0209

For the safety of our students and staff, we have significant concerns about any regulations that would
limit our ability to proceed with an immediate clean-up of encampments or prohibit unauthorized
persons from entering areas on or adjacent to school district property. Our reading of the proposed
ordinance is that the City would not be able to help relocate an encampment from a school or adjacent
property without at least 48 hours notice to those camping. Such a restriction would place a significant
burden on the operation of our schools and safety of our students, their families, and our staff.
The tragic impact of Seattles affordable housing shortage is felt by the District. We see it in our
homeless students and families that we serve.
The District is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the homeless students and families in our
schools. We appreciate the partnership of the City and the Seattle Housing Authority as we collectively
seek ways to support these families with the Home from School pilot program. At the same time, we are
committed to ensuring the safety and security of all the students and staff on and around school district
property.
We respectfully request that Council staff work with our General Counsel, Noel Treat, in crafting
amendment language that supports and protects our students and staff. Thank you for your
consideration and we look forward to your response.

Dr. Larry Nynd\

Superinten nt

Copy:

To

Seattle City Councilmembers

Mayor Ed Murray
Noel Treat, General Counsel, Seattle Public Schools

councilmember Sally Bagshaw 09/21/16

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