Beyond the numbers of the Edmonds School District layoffs

By Max Erikson max.erikson@lynnwoodtimes.com

At the June 11 school board meeting, the Edmonds School Board (ESB) released the names of teachers and staff that will not be returning for the 2019-2020 school year. The ESB has been struggling to find solutions to retain teachers who will be losing their jobs due to budget cuts.

Edmonds School District does not have the funding at this point and made the difficult decision to not renew some teacher positions for next year. Twenty-two teachers and staff will not have their contracts renewed for next year, which is down from the expected 40-plus positions that were proposed for cuts initially.

In attendance were several Meadowdale High School students, specifically from the theater program, who were advocating for theater program teacher Katie Powell-Mitchell.

Sam Smith, one of six students who addressed the board, said. “Mrs. Powell-Mitchell has built the largest program with over 130 students, from only 35 when she took over. She has made a difference and the program will crumble without her.”

Carol Davies, a mother of another theater program student said, “The program and the students are award-winning. It is rare to do this well. The students will not have this opportunity without Katie Powell-Mitchell.”

Other students expressed how Powell-Mitchell inspired them to do their best and to even want to participate in school.

Behind the numbers are fellow community members with families and livelihoods. Below is a list of the teachers who will not be returning to Edmonds School District for the 2019-2020 school year unless funding is allocated to support any of their positions.