Latest news with #LanguageAccessProgram
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who isn't running for reelection to the Quincy City Council
QUINCY ‒ After 10 years on city council, Councilor-at-large Nina Liang will not seek re-election in November. Liang made the announcement at the May 5 council meeting, which took place the evening before candidates could pull nomination papers from the city clerk's office. All nine council seats and three of six elected school committee seats are up for grabs at the city election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. In comments accompanying her announcement, Liang thanked directors of the city's various departments and her colleagues on the council for their support. She also encouraged others to run for office, regardless of whether or not they have prior experience in government. "I pulled papers when I didn't even know what a city councilor was," Liang said of her first campaign in 2015. "And here I am 10 years later." In expressing her gratitude to the city's department heads, several of whom were present in the council chambers, Liang downplayed the role of the council. "We're just the liaisons," Liang said. "We're just lucky enough to be the conduit to connect (constituents) to these amazing people." Liang described her relationships with fellow councilors as familial and supportive, regardless of agreement or disagreement on political issues. "What a team!" she said. In a press release, Liang listed as accomplishments the revision of the city's code to use gender-neutral language, the establishment of Quincy's first LGBTQ+ Commission and funding the Language Access Program. Liang submitted legislation establishing the LGTBQ+ Commission in 2018. The order, which passed the council unanimously, created an 11-person body with all members appointed by the mayor. However, commission member John McDonald said membership has since dwindled to three: Liang, Quincy's event coordinator John McDonald and Jim Petosa. Quincy Mayor Tom Koch refused to sign the legislation in 2018, but he didn't use his veto, and the order took effect without his endorsement. Liang said in the statement that she would continue to fight for equity and representation, such as the recognition of Lunar New Year as a holiday in the city's schools. Liang introduced a law to close schools on Lunar New Year last spring, which the council passed and Koch signed. However, it was not enforced after pushback from the school committee, which obtained a legal opinion stating it has sole authority over setting the academic calendar. The body has voted repeatedly not to close schools on Lunar New Year in recent years. Liang was first elected in 2015 at age 27. She and Councilor-at-large Noel DiBona were the first Asian Americans elected to serve as councilors in a city that is 32.5% Asian. The same class saw the election of Ward 3 Councilor Ian Cain, the first Black and openly gay councilor in Quincy's history. Cain, who has also announced he will not seek reelection, joked about ethnic diversity. 'I don't know what the city council is going to do without their token colored people up here," Cain said, drawing laughter from the councilors. "Noel, you're still the Asian, right?' "I'm not going anywhere," said DiBona, whose mother is from Thailand. Quincy elections 2025: 'I will question the mayor.' Quincy's Kathy Thrun announces bid for city council seat Quincy elections 2025: The man behind PorchFest Quincy is running for city council. What's on his agenda Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: After 10-year tenure, Quincy councilor Nina Liang not running in fall
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MLSD reads three policies, no votes occurred
Apr. 21—MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District School Board did first reads on three proposed policies at the April 18 board meeting. No decisions were made on any policy updates. Policy 3141: Out-of-district students Policy 3141 of the Moses Lake School District governs the admission of nonresident students in accordance with Washington State law, Chapter 28A.225 RCW. These are students who live in homes outside the district's boundaries. Nonresident students may apply for enrollment between June 1 and Aug. 15 annually, with provisions for home-based instruction also included. Applications are evaluated based on established criteria, including the district's financial capacity, available educational programs, and the student's disciplinary history. The district does not impose transfer fees or tuition for eligible nonresidents. Additionally, children of full-time employees are granted enrollment rights, with specific guidelines clarifying potential rejection based on behavioral history or compliance issues. If an application is denied, the superintendent provides written notification, including grounds for denial and the right to appeal the decision to the school board and subsequently to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as specified in RCW 28A.225.230. Policy 4218: Language access The Board of Directors said they are committed to enhancing meaningful communication and access for students and families, particularly for those with limited English proficiency. Recognizing the linguistic diversity within the community, the Board aims to eliminate language barriers through a legally compliant, free-of-charge Language Access Program. This program will promote accessibility and equity, ensuring two-way communication is integral to all services and activities. Key components of the program include systematic identification of families needing language support, provision of competent oral interpretation and translation of vital documents for LEP families, where applicable. The District will designate a Language Access Liaison to oversee compliance with language access laws and facilitate staff training on effective communication with LEP families. Policy 6220: Procurements This policy delineates the requirements and procedures for procuring goods and services, emphasizing the importance of maximizing district resources, adhering to sound business practices and complying with state and federal regulations. The procurement of furniture, supplies, and equipment varies based on estimated costs: purchases below $40,000 require no competitive bidding, while those between $40,000 and $75,000 follow an informal competitive process, and amounts exceeding $75,000 necessitate a formal bidding process. For improvements or repairs under $75,000, the district may proceed without bidding; for projects over $100,000, formal bidding is required. Additionally, the policy encourages participation from minority and women-owned businesses in the bidding process and provides exemptions in cases of emergencies or single-source supplies. Finally, the district may engage in cooperative purchasing agreements and must maintain thorough documentation to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, which will be reviewed by applicable authorities. Comprehensive procedures will be instituted by the superintendent or designee to support these policies.
