Thank you to Representative Kagi and Representative Ryu for sponsoring HB 2720

[Developmental Disabilities Advocates]

I want to thank Representatives Kagi and Ryu for sponsoring this bill.  This bill allows extra "safety net" funding to go to those school districts which house a residential school for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.  This helps those school districts manage finances a little easier given that most of the children in these residences are from other school districts. 

 

I fully support this and am grateful for this bill.  I have heard too often from Shoreline School District Superintendent Susan Walker, other school administrators and parents complain about the cost and the burden of our children. 

 

Last year, Ms. Walker even testified in a senate committee that "children under 21 do not belong in an RHC" - this statement was not due to any knowledge on her part about what is best for the children but came from the fact that she didn't want these children in her district.  She stated that the "burden" of these children caused the students in Shoreline to be denied access to services since these children's families did not pay taxes in Shoreline. 

 

The public statements that Ms. Walker has made regarding our kids as "burdens" is a huge slap in the face and a step backwards in develpmental disability advocacy.  I am thankful for the students, teachers and staff in Shoreline will receive "safety net" funding and with that funding I hope that Ms. Walker and other administrators realize that our kids are not a burden but contribute to the community in so many ways.  It's unfortunate that the administration is unware of the contributions.

 

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/fircrest-to-receive-priority-in-safety-net-funding