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FURRY FRIENDS | The Renton History Museum has a new exhibit highlighting our four-legged companions. [3]
FRIDAY, FEB. 13, 2015
A record-breaking week | Two longtime school records fell this week . In Hazen, there’s a new points leader while Lindbergh has a new diving champ [Sports 15]
Court sides with city over land donation dispute BY BRIAN BECKLEY bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
The seven-year saga of a two-acre parcel of future park land donated to the city as part of a will finally appears to be coming to a conclusion this week. King County Court Commissioner Henry H. Judson on Feb. 6 signed an order of unlawful detainer, requiring Karen Jo Dobson to vacate the property - which at this point belongs to the city - as well as pay $610 in court fees and costs as well as those related to the eviction. King County Sheriff ’s deputies served a notice of eviction on Tuesday, requiring Dobson to vacate the property on Lincoln Avenue Northeast at the Renton/Newcastle city lines no later than today, Feb. 13. The ruling and eviction finally puts to rest a multi-year struggle to accept the land as donated in the will of Arthur Kenyon, who was Dobson’s partner for 25 years prior to his 2008 death. Dobson, who was named Kenyon’s executor, was granted in the will a five-year period in which she could live on the land [ more DONATION page 4 ]
Daddy-Daughter Dance It was a packed house at the Renton Community Center Feb. 6 and once again the annual, sold-out event kept everyone’s feet moving. This year, 127 fathers and daughters boogied away Friday night to music ranging from modern hits like Taylor Swift and Pharrell to classics like the Village People’s “YMCA” and Michael Jackson as well as even a few traditional dances like the waltz and, of course, the chicken dance. BRIAN BECKLEY, Renton Reporter
District expects teachers to give tests BY TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
The Renton School District sticks by its district goals and seems unfazed by recent concern by teachers over Common Core State Standards testing. More and more teachers have been expressing their concerns at school board meetings about administering
the Smarter Balanced Assessment, the Common Core tests. This spring grades 3 to 8 and 11 will have to take the assessments. Some teachers have said that they are considering not giving the tests. In an interview with District Spokesperson Randy Matheson, he affirmed, via email the district’s work to ensure that students learn at high levels and realize their full potential. When asked if district officials are concerned about the number of teachers who are considering leaving the profession, Matheson had this to say:
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“Teachers make employment decisions based on many factors, personal and professional. We’re confident in our work to provide teachers with meaningful curriculum and teaching materials, professional development, and compensate them competitively so that they can do their best in classrooms to teach and support student growth.” Matheson did not lay out any strict consequences when asked what would be the penalty for teachers not administering the Smarter Balanced Assess[ more TESTS page 3 ]
Valentine’s Day is Saturday and we at the Renton Reporter wanted to know if this city has a romantic streak or not. For the past two weeks, we’ve hosted a short Valentine’s Day Survey on our website to get the answer. Turn to page 15 to find out the results and to read some stories of Renton’s best and worst Valentine’s Days!
206-949-1696 info@MarcieMaxwell.com www.MarcieMaxwell.com
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Teachers have threatened to not administer staterequired testing
Romantics or Cynics?