en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/163203 Comments by Enlightenment http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283951164 I agree! I do think however it should be done RIGHT. Why isn't this being called a "group home"-- if you go to washington state government website and search "group home" and read the licensing requirements, Bellevue First Pres should be held to the same licensing and standards as every other group home. This reminds me of those cat hoarders shows-- where people with the BEST of intentions take in stray cats because they don't want to see them go to a shelter. The problem is these people are not licensed rescue shelters and things quickly go awry without the proper infrastructure, state licensing, inspections and support. Bellevue First Pres should be licensed and go through all the proper channels and THEN open their doors to these at risk youth. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:31:00 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283951164 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283948808 DSHS isn't even involved. The church isn't getting any state/tax-payer money. But let me repeat... DSHS isn't even involved-- how scary is that? DSHS should supervise this group home, --- and by the way, that's what it is a "group home," and they should be licensed as such so the state can supervise what's going on with EA just like the state supervises every other group home. SCARY how the city has approved this without requiring proper licensinng and the city is relying on loopholes to approve them as a "family residence" because either the city is too lazy , corrupt or ignorant-- really can not think of any other explanation. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:27:03 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283948808 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283945938 I agree but the comment "I assume" scares me. Why doesn't EA just get licensed for these homes? Why does the city and state allow them to have these homes without ANY supervision? Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:22:25 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bellevue-neighbors-nervous-about-new-homes-for-at-risk-teens-138687789.html#IDComment283945938 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6084593 I hope that everyone can attend the meeting tonight at 7:30 at the school district (Tuesday). There are obviously very passionate people on both sides pointing blame. The things we all seem to agree on are that 1) we want what's best for our kids 2) we want the strike over. 3) we want qualified, educated teachers, who are pulling their weight, to be fairly compensted. All the other discussion like boeing, the economy, legality, and revolutionizing the entire state education system are just clouding the issue at hand and slowing down the process fo resolving this strike. Tue, 9 Sep 2008 18:09:19 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6084593 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6082043 Some of the posts here and elsewhere are truly disheartening. I'm shocked that some of these posers could be my neighbors and parents of my children's friends! There's so much anger and rage-- so misdirected. The vast majority of teachers are hard working people. I choose to spread goodwill and truth. I choose to offer change instead of complain about what's wrong. I have faith Karma, evnetually, will prevail, and that this small group of haters will eventually be overcome by the vast majority of our beautiful Bellevue Ciommunity who truly have their hearts in teh right place. Teachers, have faith. Stay storng. Your requests are modest and reasonable. Tue, 9 Sep 2008 16:37:54 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6082043 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6081713 Dude angry ranting is so unattractive. Seriously uncool. Jessica, I advise you not honor his rage with a response. I'm sue any intelligent reader can see right through his freak fest to the true issues. Stay to your higher ground JEssicaB! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 16:25:31 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6081713 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6081023 That's very simplistic thinking. YOu don't have to be an Economics PhD to imagine the school district budget is vast and multi-layered. The bigger the budget, the more room there is for play--- the more creative you can get with trade-offs, cuts, scrimping and saving. Looking at the big picture, the teachers demands are MINIscule. S if the school baord says there is no way to meet the teachers needs either a) they're incompetant and perhaps instead of paying for a mediator, they should hire an accountant and financial planner or b) they're lying. either way, things are smellying pretty fishey at BSD headquarters. Tue, 9 Sep 2008 16:05:07 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6081023 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080833 All of us who get a paycheck for our work hold our employer accountable for the payroll fund. They can't just claim, woops, we can't afford to pay you. Why should teachers be any different. It's simple business. No contract, no work. Schools may be NFP but that doesn't mean terachers should be. I value my kids. I value their great teachers. I pay high taxes willingly so we can fairly compenste our teachers. WHERE'S MY MONEY!? Superintendant, you have some explaing to do! Fool me once shame on you-- I won't let you fool me again! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:59:14 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080833 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080693 i'm not willing to sit back and say ti's someone else's problem. This whole thing is screwed up. Teachers deserve more pay. The BSD claims there's no money. They better find the money. Is our local administration to proud to take out a loan? We've been forking over LOADS of taxes for years and they have nothing to show for it. Hey you teachers, don't give up! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:54:47 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080693 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080553 I agree, thre is no shame in teachers asking for FAIR PAY. And since they did it last June, I have no objection to them refusing to work this fall. The teachers should strike. Having my kids out of school is a hasssle. Theyu['[re missing out on important learning time. Other professions, like bus drivers and lunch ladies are getting hit hard. It's the Schiool Board that should be ashamed of letting us all down. G et our kids back to school! Superintendant, do you job. If you don't have the acccounting skills to handle the budget (and as a registered nurse, no one expects you to) then step aside and hire someone who can! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:51:25 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080553 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080373 Right on! The School board is guilty of raquetering. Pay our teachers more. Find the money. Don't cut curriculum. School Board DO YOUR JOB! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:46:38 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080373 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080343 Everyone is feeling the pain from this strike. WE need our kids back in school. I want to know why the school board is failing at negotaiting fair pay for our hard working teachers?! Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:44:54 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/28040244.html#IDComment6080343 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025503 Huh, boeing girlfriend, I don't think you're seeing clearly. Have a cup of tea and chill a bit. That's not cool Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:26:04 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025503 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025393 I sent a letter to the Governor too. I told her how dissappointed I am that our teachers are so underpaid. I told her to light a fire under the superintendent to give-in to the teachers demands. Thankfully the Governor, Sentor and representatives will take the time to know the issues. I'm sure too they are already aware of the fingerpointing going on with the BSD Board. Did you see where the board tried to blame the STATE for not increasing the teachers pay. Woops, they got caught with that lie. Please, write more letters to the Governor and Sen Tom-- the more attention we can draw to the plight of the teachers the more we support their mission, their needs and the strike. Teachers stand strong! Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:23:48 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025393 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025283 Teachers started out far behind the 8ball before times got hard though. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:19:38 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025283 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025203 Thank you forthree22, great points. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:18:13 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025203 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025143 the question is 11% of what. If you're talking asking 11% pay increase just to get you up to a modest standard of living, then rock on. Teachers rule. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:16:53 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025143 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025083 Yes, fine example of the scientific process at work. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:14:31 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025083 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025033 I've never been called in to "handle" my child. Sounds like an issue that's originating in the home. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:13:56 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025033 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025003 "Big bucks" LOL, hah hah hah. OMG, let me catch my breath.. Whew. OK, that was funny. IF teachers receive the meager pay increase they are requesting, the average teacher will STILL be making below the NATIONAL POVERTY LEVEL as established by the IRS... sick. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:12:39 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/28033759.html#IDComment6025003