State Superintendent Chris Reykdal recently called for a $4 billion annual boost in K-12 funding – but his calls only highlight his ongoing failure to implement genuine solutions to manage our state’s system. His insistence that lawmakers “accept no as an answer” feels more like a tantrum than a plan, ignoring real budget constraints. Asking for $1 billion for special education sounds good, but it’s a reaction to problems he hasn’t addressed over the years.

Reykdal’s plea for $152.5 million for student transportation also only serves to highlight a lack of foresight in using existing resources. While he talks about hiring more social workers and staff, he’s really just pushing costs onto taxpayers without fixing underlying issues. The idea of training paraeducators to become teachers is nice, but it doesn’t solve the real staffing problems we have right now.

David Olson, his GOP challenger, rightly points out that Reykdal’s late push for funding feels more like a desperate move than a strategic plan, especially with a new governor coming in. Reykdal’s demands show a characteristic lack of accountability and a real unwillingness to tackle the messy realities of education funding in our state. Read more at the Center Square.

According to a new, exclusive report from KTTH’s Jason Rantz, Gino Betts – director of the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) – concluded that Officer Dan Auderer violated Seattle Police Department (SPD) policy before the investigation was complete. Despite a lack of evidence for bias policing, Betts determined Auderer was guilty after reviewing body camera footage where Auderer made offensive comments regarding Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old student who died after being struck by a police vehicle. Auderer, who was also the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, was recorded suggesting that the victim’s life had “limited value.”

According to Rantz’s report, after the footage was flagged to the OPA, Auderer sought rapid adjudication for a quick resolution, which Betts rejected, indicating the severity of the case. In November, OPA escalated the complaint by alleging bias policing, despite no solid evidence supporting this claim. Betts then secured media training for a public strategy regarding Auderer’s case weeks before the investigation concluded, hinting at a predetermined outcome.

Rantz uncovers how, subsequent to pressure from the City Attorney’s Office, Betts changed his findings to sustain the bias policing claim, despite previous evidence clearing Auderer of such accusations. This last-minute reversal drew criticism from SPD Command Staff, who expressed concerns that it appeared to be an attempt to justify Auderer’s termination. The situation escalated with the removal of Police Chief Adrian Diaz, which left the decision to interim Chief Sue Rahr, who ultimately terminated Auderer for his unprofessional conduct.

The entire handling of Auderer’s case raised significant doubts about the OPA’s impartiality and integrity, highlighting concerns about due process and the influence of external pressures on the investigation. As Rantz points out, the OPA’s failure to maintain transparency and fairness in this case jeopardized its credibility and potentially exposed the city to legal ramifications. Auderer has since filed a $20 million tort claim against the city, asserting that the investigation was mishandled. Read more at KTTH.

Surprise, surprise – a Washington State Ferries’ project is, once again, delayed. This time the delayed project is the conversion of its Jumbo Mark II vessel, the Wenatchee, from diesel to hybrid-electric power, now expecting it to be back in service by summer 2025 instead of late summer this year. Apparently, there are no technological issues. The agency faced challenges integrating the new system into the existing vessel, according to electrification program administrator Matt von Ruden.

Of course, this delay will increase costs, though the exact financial impact is still being evaluated. The agency has a $100 million contract with shipbuilder Vigor for the Wenatchee and another vessel, the Tacoma, with an additional $50 million option for a third vessel, the Puyallup. Currently, Washington State Ferries operates 15 vessels while managing maintenance and service routes with the Wenatchee out of commission. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

So long, defund the police movement. The Seattle City Council is preparing to vote on making its police department’s hiring incentive program permanent, with plans to increase lateral transfer incentives from $30,000 to $50,000. This initiative, set to continue using $1.57 million from SPD salary savings, aims to bolster recruitment amid ongoing staffing shortages. If approved, the new incentive would position Seattle ahead of other cities like Des Moines and Everett in attracting lateral hires. Despite a recent uptick in lateral applicants, the SPD is still experiencing a net loss of officers, with 21 hired and 55 separating in the first half of 2024. That should come as no surprise, given the Seattle’s notorious for anti-law enforcement measures. The council’s Governance Committee has already endorsed the bill, which is slated for a final vote on October 8. Read more at Center Square.

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