.com
You’ll like what you see in the mirror
Citizens say schools avoid the real issues By Greg Allmain gallmain@fedwaymirror.com
It’s been some time since public commenters at a Federal Way School Board meeting used their three minutes to criticize the district. The tradition returned during the June 12 meeting. After an extensive and lengthy round of recognitions of various students and student groups, commenters Libby Bennett and Paul Levy voiced their thoughts on the fact that so often, Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) seems to only want to focus on the positive — without doing the hard work of confronting what they perceive to be the district’s real problems. “I want you guys to take a look around at this room,” Bennett said, referring to the mostly empty council chambers in which the district holds its meetings. “And notice that everyone here is on some sort of payroll, or they have to be here. We come in every [ more SCHOOLS, p. 8 ]
CRIME BLOTTER | Man finds girl online, meets her for sex, gets ripped off [3]
VOL. 14, NO. 24
Mirror
F E D E R A L WAY
division of Sound Publishing
OPINION | Roegner: Both parties need independent voters [4] Palmer: Health care, seen through the eyes of a caregiver [4] BUSINESS | Federal Way grocers guard their liquor and spirits from thieves [7] ROSES BLOOM | For Northwest residents who love roses, June is their month [12]
SPORTS | Lindsey Dahl is The Mirror’s FRIDAY, June 15, 2012 2012 Female Athlete of the Year [16]
| 50¢
District picks architect for FWHS renovation Project depends on whether voters pass levy in Nov. By GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@federalwaymirror.com
SRG Partnership, a Seattle-based architectural firm, has been chosen as Federal Way Public Schools’ early partner in developing plans for the proposed renovation of
Federal Way High School. A capital levy to rebuild Federal Way High School will be on the ballot again in November. If approved by voters, the levy will raise $60 million to rebuild the aging high school. Facility services director Rod
Leland explained how he and his staff, along with other Federal Way school officials, chose SRG Partnership. “Eleven firms submitted their qualifications for our consideration,” Leland said at the June 12 board meeting. “We screened that down to five, the best that met the criteria for the project at Federal
NO
STICKER SHOCK AT REGISTER
Way High School.” Leland said an interview team was put together, which included two administrators, a student and parent from Federal Way High School, and a few other district officials and partners. The team talked extensively with the five firms and narrowed it down to two finalists. [ more ARCHITECT, page 19 ]
Aquatechnex biologists apply Phoslock to Lake Lorene on June 11 in Federal Way’s Twin Lakes neighborhood. ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror
Biologists battle algae in Lake Lorene By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com
A lake in Federal Way became the state’s first guinea pig for a chemical that controls algae. Lake Lorene, located in the Twin Lakes neighborhood, suffers from algal blooms. These colonies of microscopic algae produce harmful toxins and foul odors. The result is detrimental to quality of life for both the ecosystem and surrounding residents. Factors that lead to excess phosphorus in water can include anything from fertilizer runoff to bodily wastes from ducks and geese.
‘Our flag is more than a piece of cloth’ Col. Robin Blanchard was the keynote speaker at the annual Flag Day Ceremony, held June 9 at the King County Aquatic Center. Read about her reflections on the meaning of the U.S. flag on page 23 in today’s paper. Pictured right: Bob Darrigan and Hope Elder dance to “Living in America.” ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU PAY!
CALENDAR | Upcoming events include a tribute to musician Bobby Darin [14-15]
Twin Lakes Liquor Store
On Monday, a team of aquatic biologists with Aquatechnex applied a chemical called Phoslock to the 15-acre Lake Lorene. The substance eliminates phosphorus — the primary food source for algae — and restores water quality. Aquatechnex spread about 9,300 pounds of Phoslock all day long June 11 after receiving the first permit in Washington to use the substance. The company, which was hired by the Twin Lakes Homeowners Association, will monitor Lake Lorene and record data to measure the treatment’s effectiveness. [ more ALGAE, page 19 ]
WE’RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS! 2311 SW 336th in Twin Lakes Shopping Center • NEW! 253-235-5586
SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT COMPARED TO THE BIG BOX STORES!
I p F e T s I g f F m b t L k f