Seattle, WA
SPS board approves raise for Seattle superintendent despite $100M budget deficit
SPS board approves $20k raise for Seattle superintendent
Dr. Brent Jones’ salary is expected to jump by around 6% under the latest agreement.
SEATTLE – The Seattle Public Schools Board approved an employment agreement and pay raise on Tuesday that will result in Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones earning an extra $20,000.
Erin Combs, the parent of a second-grader at Thornton Creek Elementary, says she was shocked to learn that while Seattle Public Schools was weighing plans to close schools due to budget deficits, the board was planning a vote to approve the substantial raise for the superintendent.
“Unfortunately, the school board is not taking any public comment at today’s meeting,” said Erin Combs, with All Together for Seattle Schools.
Parents and some educators were upset that the board meeting was virtual, so they couldn’t speak out against the raise.
“If the district doesn’t have enough money to keep schools open, then we certainly don’t have enough money to give district leadership raises,” said Combs.
According to state data, in the 2021-2022 school year, Jones made more than $323,000, and in 2022-2023, he made $334,998.
His salary is expected to jump by around 6% under the latest agreement.
“The base salary increase is the same cost of living adjustment that was provided to other administrators in Seattle Public Schools,” said Board President Liza Rankin.
Past employment agreements with Jones also included a car allowance, along with health and retirement benefits.
Despite previous reports that the budget would need to be cut by nearly $100 million, the board unanimously approved the employment agreement, along with a new evaluation instrument.
Jones said during the meeting that he was supportive of the changes and also offered to take unpaid furlough days in solidarity with other central office staff.
“I’m willing to have five furlough days to make sure we are in alignment,” said Jones.
“On the one hand, I think it’s a positive sign, but I still have deep-seated skepticism about what’s next,” said Combs.
When FOX 13 Seattle reached out to the SPS about the agreement, the district released this statement:
“The employment agreement the Seattle School Board will vote on tonight reflects negotiations between Board President Liza Rankin, as authorized by the Board, and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Brent Jones. The changes to Superintendent Jones’ contract are described in tonight’s Board Action Report as follows:
“The proposed employment agreement (a) removes the automatic extension language and requires an affirmative vote of the Board in January to extend the term of the agreement; (b) aligns the annual salary decision with budget development in July; (c) supports the performance evaluation process with quarterly check-ins and a review of data aligned to the Student Outcomes Focused Governance Framework; (d) updates common employment terms for sick leave accrual, vacation cashout, and holidays; and (e) provides a cost-of-living adjustment to salary.
“The cost-of-living adjustment is consistent with what SPS administrators received effective September 1, 2024.”
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Seattle, WA
‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com
After the Seattle City Council moved forward with legislation that would expand temporary homeless shelters without buffer zones near schools, KIRO host Jake Skorheim questioned who the city really cares about.
Jake wondered aloud about what goes on in a Seattle City Council member’s head, assuming they even read the proposal.
“They see the thing, they go like, ‘Well, what do we think about this one here, about school zones?’ They’re like, ‘I don’t know about that. Let’s scratch that out. We can have homeless people around school zones, drug addicts, people who are trying to get their fix,’” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.
Seattle legislation would increase shelter capacity by 50%
If approved, the legislation would let temporary shelter sites, including tiny home villages, RV safe lots, and tent encampments, increase capacity by 50%, raising the maximum from 100 to 150 residents.
Approved amendments would require sites with more than 100 beds to maintain public safety plans and around-the-clock staffing. Another amendment would require shelters to establish agreements with surrounding neighborhoods outlining expectations for resident behavior and site management. A final amendment mandates at least one manager for every 15 high-needs residents.
Still, several nonprofits urged council members to pass the bill without amendments, arguing the added restrictions could slow resources to people experiencing homelessness and further stigmatize them.
Jake had a question for city leaders: “Who do you care more about? You care more about the kids or the homeless drug addicts?”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
Seattle, WA
Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday morning at a business in the city’s Lake City neighborhood, authorities said.
Officers responded to the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast after employees arriving to open the Growler Guys, a beer garden and restaurant, discovered a deceased man inside around 9 a.m. Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said at the scene.
The man, who police confirmed to be an employee in his early 20s, appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, Barnes said.
Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead.
Dozens of friends and family members of the young victim spent hours on the scene Saturday, and many were visibly overcome with emotion.
Kelly Dole, owner of the Growler Guys, described the victim as a warm, light-hearted young man.
“He was the type of friend that everybody wanted to have,” Dole said. “His group of friends, which includes my son, are really going to miss him. They’re about as tight as a group of young men can be.”
The victim had been working at the business the night before; however, Seattle police have not confirmed when the shooting happened or what may have led up to it.
“When we have things like this, we have to reevaluate what we could’ve done better,” Chief Barnes said. “How can we make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to bring justice to this family, because quite frankly, they deserve it.”
Detectives are focusing their investigation on the business and were processing the scene for evidence Saturday. Officers, investigators, chaplains, and support services were present.
The restaurant’s owners are cooperating with police, Barnes said. Dole was emotional while speaking with KOMO News about how the tragic shooting has shaken his neighborhood business.
“He always had a smile; he was so buoyant, you could never get him down,” Dole talked about the victim. “The world lost someone important today.”
Authorities said residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues and in the coming days.
There is no suspect information at this time, and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The killing marks Seattle’s 12th homicide of the year, according to Barnes.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Seattle, WA
Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the Seattle Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox?
First pitch between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9.
How to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox on Saturday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 9 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
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