Seattle Schools Community Forum

Before I start, I will say that I am so glad I am not raising children right now. It's a terribly challenging time especially around use of social media and now Artificial Intelligence. Let's start with one example, story from  Reuters. Elon Musk's Grok AI floods X with sexualized photos of women and minors Summary: Elon Musk's Grok is generating sexualized images of women and minors Politicians in France ask prosecutors to investigate; India demands answers Experts have long warned Grok owner xAI about potential misuses of AI-generated content Grok is a free AI assistant - with some paid for premium features - which responds to X users' prompts when they tag it in a post.     It is often used to give reaction or more context to other posters' remarks, but people on X are also able to edit an uploaded image through its AI image editing feature. The Take it Down Act was signed into law in May 2025 that specifically addresses tech-enabled sexual abuse. This Act w...

A big welcome to the year 2026 which I predict will have its ups and downs but it WILL be a good (if not better) year than 2025. I hope that each of you had a fun and safe holiday. I note this from acting SPS superintendent Fred Pedestal's new year greeting: It is a time for renewed hope as we work together to make Seattle Public Schools one of the top districts in the nation. This, of course, is what incoming superintendent, Ben Shuldiner, has stated. I'm glad that the statement seemed to mean that SPS is truly dedicated to all students. As for what is coming up on the SPS calendar, I see one meeting - the BEX and BTA Capital Levies Oversight Committee meeting  - on Friday, January 9th.  I do see an oddity for Wednesday, January 14th - a Board "Special Meeting." There is nothing else that explains it nor is there an agenda. Ditto on Wednesday, January 28th. Sandwiched in-between those is the Regular Board meeting on Wednesday, January 21st.  I have a number of stori...

  A very nice holiday message from Superintendent Fred Podesta . Franklin High School is starting its girls flag football team . The WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) now recognizes that sport under their banner as a winter sport. From SPS Communications: To kick off the festivities, the Blue Thunder gave a special drumline performance, and students played fun competitions. Mario Bailey, vice president of the Seahawks’ Community Engagement and Legends, presented the team with giant check. The event ended with a raffle for Seahawks gear and prizes. The check was for $4,000. Really great to see that SPS is supporting Native students education on their heritage .  The SPS Native American Education program was honored to join the Suquamish Tribal Council for their annual Ocean to Table program—a unique, hands-on learning experience at Chief Kitsap Academy. This initiative takes students on the journey salmon make from the ocean to their dinner tables, blen...

Kurt Buttleman, Assistant Superintendent of Finance gave the Budget presentation.  Budget Presentation Highlights: - Two-thirds of the district budget comes from State dollars. The presentation slides can be found at nearly the bottom of the agenda for the Board meeting.  - Expenditure by program is up 5% from last year. I found it interesting (and good news) that there are more students enrolling in CTE courses.  - The largest growth, by percentage, was for travel at 23.04%. Oddly, Buttleman didn't mention it nor did anyone on the Board. You can see this on slide 15. The next closest item by percentage is Supplies/Materials at 17.16%.  - There was carry-forward money at some schools from a discretionary fund that each principal has. Personally, I think every principal should explain to their community how much money is left and why they didn't spend it for that school year.  - As we know, the district used all the Rainy Day fund but it is still unknown when it...

I wanted to post - verbatim - what was said during the course of the Board officer elections because I think it is a start to see change as to how the Board works. Director Liza Rankin had mentioned, during Board comments, about the Board's work being about creating policy. She said they needed to follow state and federal law in shaping those policies. It was ironic how she talked about the Policy Committee work and how important it is and yet voted to get rid of other committees that provided oversight.  She said they needed to keep policies updated and  "holding each other in the district accountable for following them. (Otherwise) we end up with a district driven by legal complaints and concerns and the contract with SEA and that's it. So the policy committee work is not my special project; it's actually the work of the Board."  She did not mention SOFG in those comments which I thought odd given that's governance model she is following for that work. To re...

Wishing all my Jewish readers a happy and safe Hanukkah.  This comes tinged with sadness as two gunmen went after a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia yesterday. More than 11 were killed and about 29 wounded.  As well, I would ask you to take a few minutes to send good thoughts to the community at Brown University where yesterday a gunman entered a classroom and started shooting. Two are dead and nine have been injured. Here's is video of frightened students hiding and hearing a banging at the door. It was the police but they had to put their hands up and exit the library that way. You would not want this for your child.  And to remind you that 13 years ago today, a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 20 first graders and six staff members. It is the largest mass shooting at an elementary school in U.S. history.