Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on South King County School Districts’ plans for the upcoming school year, the Kent Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Deadline Extension, and more.

Washington Trivia

Who was the first person to fly an airplane in Washington state?

(Answer is at the bottom).



King County School Districts Develop Different Plans for the Upcoming School Year

Each school district in King County has developed different responses to the pandemic following Governor Jay Inslee’s new recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health on the resumption of in-person instruction in public and private K-12 education this upcoming 2020-2021 school year, which allows local health departments and school districts to decide if and how they will allow students back in the classroom.

Here’s an overview of the plans of some school districts in King County:

Auburn School District: Classes will resume in September using a full distance learning model. Students will be provided a consistent daily schedule five days a week and expected to virtually attend classes. Technology will be provided to students and staff as needed.

Federal Way Public Schools: Classes will begin with 100% remote learning, and will work alongside public health officials to determine when it might be safe to reopen schools for limited face-to-face instruction. Students in need will have access to laptops provided by the district.

Highline Public Schools: Highline will start the school year with distance learning, with plans to move toward a hybrid model as conditions become safer to do so. A workgroup is finalizing programs to expand broadband access and provide digital devices for every student. Two webinars are planned on August 11 to answer community questions.

Kent School District: Schools will begin with remote learning, with plans to adapt later in the year if conditions improve. The superintendent said schools will be prepared to return to in-person instruction quickly, once it is determined safe to do so. Students will continue to be provided with laptops and the district is still handing out free hotspot devices at summer meal locations on Mondays.

Read this Patch article for a complete list of school districts in King County and to know more about their plans.

Kent Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Deadline Extension

The City of Kent Small Business Emergency Relief Grant has extended the application deadline to August 9th at 8:00PM. Businesses can receive grants of $4,500 each to help with economic relief from the pandemic. Visit the city’s website for more information.

Labor & Industries Imposes Fines on Businesses in Violation of COVID-19 Mandates

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has imposed fines on businesses for violations of Governor Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 mandates. As L&I receives complaints, it uses a tiered system for violations and fines such as general, serious, and willfully serious. These tiers are ranked from no penalty to financial fines, and businesses have up to 15 days to appeal the fines. Read more about this King5 report here.

Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) usually sends a notification reminding owners to renew their vehicle registration, but in July, the pandemic and a change in process held up thousands of mailed notices and left owners wondering why the notices came weeks later after their tabs officially expired. DOL explained that these notices are courtesy reminders and it is still the responsibility of owners to renew their tabs before it expires. Owners have different options to renew their tabs: online or by mail. Owners who did not receive a renewal notice in a timely manner may get an estimate online or call DOL at 360-902-3770.

King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 192 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 16,138. In addition, Public Health reported 6 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 663.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

According to the Museum of Flight, touring the country as part of a nationwide tour sponsored by aviation pioneer and airplane manufacturer Glenn Curtiss, Charles Keeney Hamilton was the first person to fly an airplane in Washington. He took off on March 11, 1910 from the Meadows Race Track, south of Seattle (Georgetown), using a 550-pound Curtiss biplane with an eight-cylinder engine aircraft, which had arrived in Seattle by rail on March 9.