Woodinville, WA

Last Tuesday, the Northshore School Board voted to do the analysis that may lead to the closure of one of the Woodinville Elementary Schools. If that option is selected all schools will likely be impacted as the children/programs from the school that is closed are shifted. Even if they don't decide to close one of the schools - there will be cuts. Junior high sports? Junior high music? Do you have an opinion - make sure that the Northshore School Board (and the legislature) know it!

Are you informed? Do you know where to go to get informed?

Here are some resources for you to learn more.

Northshore School District Main Website - check out the presentation
District Website - check out the video presentation on Responsible Budgeting
Next Key School Board Meeting - January

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK/SUGGESTIONS to email: Budget@nsd.org

Elementary School PTA - upcoming meetings

• Bear Creek Elementary PTA - PTA Meeting January 17th 7pm (Rescheduled due to icy roads)
• Cottage Lake Elementary PTA - PTA Meeting January 22nd 7pm
• East Ridge Elementary PTA - PTA Board Meeting January 29th Luncheon
  (? if there is another parent meeting in the evening)
• Hollywood Hills Elementary PTA -Special Parent Meeting January 17th
• Kokanee Elementary PTA -PTA meeting January 15th
• Sunrise Elementary PTA - PTA Meeting January 15th
• Wellington Elementary PTA -No upcoming PTA meetings noted on website
• Woodin Elementary PTA -PTA Meeting January 15th

Junior High Schools

• Timbercrest Jr. High PTA - PTA Meeting January 30th 7pm (on school home page)
• Leota Jr. High PTA -PTA Meeting January 16th (however currently published topics are graduation requirements & 9th grade party)

By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor
http://www.425realty.com/

North Kirkland / Woodinville Real Estate Statistics -- December 2007

Single Family Homes (not condos)

Area 600 (No. Kirkland/Woodinville/Duvall) median prices were up 18.2%. YOY listing inventory was up 65.0% and Pendings were down -46%.
LISTINGS: 505(2007) vs. 306 (2006) +65%
PENDINGS: 47 (2007) vs. 87 (2006) -46%
MEDIAN: $549,000 (2007) vs. $464,500 (2006)+18.2

compiled from but not published by the NWMLS

Please join us for a FREE Home Ownership Made Easy workshop, being presented to educate first time home-buyers on how to find and finance their first home. Purchasing a first home or any home for that matter is a huge decision, in fact, for some it is one of the largest investments and purchases that an individual or family will ever have.

The reality is there is so much information floating around about how consumers should approach getting the knowledge to make the right purchasing and financial mortgage choices, that for most the process is confusing and unclear.

Presented by local industry members, join myself, Sandy Noll, a Real Estate Consultant with Keller Williams Realty and Tom Lasswell a Sr. Lending Advisor with the Liberty Financial Group. We will be hosting an informational workshop regarding today's market strategies that first time home buyers need to both know about and understand.

Comments from clients to both Tom & I, indicate that many times first time home buyers did not have the right real estate representation for finding the right property, and did not secure the right financing that was congruent with a borrowers long and short term financial goals or their equity or payment objectives. "Simply the first time home buyer consumer needs to have more knowledge and a better understanding of the purchasing process."

As a free community service we will be sharing our expertise.....Won't you join us?

Sandy Noll
Realtor®, eAgent
Keller Williams Realty
425-890-0878
sandranoll@kw.com
www.letsachieveyourgoals.com
Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell

Woodinville City Council Meetings - January

The City Council regularly holds its meetings on the 1, 2, and 3 Tuesday of each month. However, the first Tuesday in January fell on New Year's Day which was a holiday for City government. In order to conduct three meetings during January, the City Council will meet on the following dates, Tuesday, January 8, 15, and 22.

Location: City Hall, Council Chambers
Time: 7:00pm
Meeting Agenda: http://woodinville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

Can't make the meeting?
Keep up-to-date on what is happening with the city council by watching the meetings on TV (Channel WTV21).

City Council Meetings are re-broadcast at 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m., and 1 a.m. City sponsored events and services are advertised 24-hours per day, and helpful public service announcements and winter preparation suggestions play throughout the day.

Stay in touch!

I just got back from a very well attended PTA meeting at Bear Creek Elementary. At this meeting it was shared that on Tuesday (1/8) the Northshore School Board will be voting on whether they will do the analysis and decide whether to close one of the eight Woodinville elementary schools in order to fix a major budget shortfall. If they vote to do the analysis and it is decided that a school must be closed - this will be implemented Fall 2008.

I want to say that I was very impressed with Principal Gary Keeler - for two key reasons:

(1) Great Communication. He is dealing with the potential issue and concerns of parents quickly, directly and with honest and open communication. In order to share what facts are known, he arranged to have a district representative at the meeting with only a day's notice. He took the time out of his schedule today to speak to parents and has committed his time to ensure that ongoing communications will be continued whatever happens going forward.

(2) Right Priorities. He reminded all of us, that whatever happens as a result of this process - we need to keep our focus on our children and their well being. At first glance, as a concerned parent you might think that means doing whatever it takes to keep your child from being disrupted (especially when they are going to a great school like Bear Creek). However, the reality is that throughout our lives we will have times when we must make a change that is often not of our choosing. How we handle change often defines how successful we will be at making major transitions - lets demonstrate to our children how to be involved in the process in a positive way and how to positively prepare for change if it must happen. Whatever happens - this is an excellent chance for parents to teach their children an important life lesson - what lesson will you teach?

This is my first year with a child at Bear Creek Elementary and I have to say I have been very impressed - it is my sincere hope that this very special and quality school is here to stay!

by Michelle Blue
Your Guide to Woodinville Community, Neighborhoods & Real Estate
www.MichelleBlue.com