Friday Open Thread
How to fund schools properly? The Stranger Slog offers up not one but two alternatives. It can be done and done without adding onerous bills (like grading schools) in order to say "we're doing something about education" before education is truly fully funded.
Here's the district's "official" notice about proposed Transportation changes. I'll note a couple of things. One, they don't list (or link) what schools would be affected. You'll get a letter if you are affected.
Two, they claim money saved will go to teachers and classrooms. All $3.4M goes to classrooms? I'd like to see real and verifiable proof that claim will happen.
Three, about those secondary late start times and the Board wanting a real timeline, here's what staff says:
During the School Board’s March retreat with senior District leadership, Board members will discuss their governance priorities and when staff might pursue this work.
So they'll have yet another work session-like discussion about when they MIGHT do this? In March? What's weird is that staff are not supposed to be setting what the Board retreat work is so how do they know this so far in advance?
Favorite line: Families should be on the lookout for more information in the next few weeks. You've been warned.
What's on your mind?
Here's the district's "official" notice about proposed Transportation changes. I'll note a couple of things. One, they don't list (or link) what schools would be affected. You'll get a letter if you are affected.
Two, they claim money saved will go to teachers and classrooms. All $3.4M goes to classrooms? I'd like to see real and verifiable proof that claim will happen.
Three, about those secondary late start times and the Board wanting a real timeline, here's what staff says:
During the School Board’s March retreat with senior District leadership, Board members will discuss their governance priorities and when staff might pursue this work.
So they'll have yet another work session-like discussion about when they MIGHT do this? In March? What's weird is that staff are not supposed to be setting what the Board retreat work is so how do they know this so far in advance?
Favorite line: Families should be on the lookout for more information in the next few weeks. You've been warned.
What's on your mind?
Comments
Topic: Student Privacy and House Bill 2133
Our first Meetup was a success with our guest, the newly elected School Board Director Sue Peters. We were also fortunate to have with us at the Meetup two previous board members Amy Hagopian and Sally Soriano.
It was a great discussion and we learned more about the history of our district and how the school board works along with Sue’s priorities as a new School Board Director.
The next Meetup will feature Seattle Schools Community Forum contributor Melissa Westbrook. The main topic will be on student privacy and House Bill 2133, “Maintaining privacy of student educational records”, that was dropped last week and will receive a hearing on Wednesday, January 15th.
Please join us for information and discussion on this topic.
You are invited to ask questions on other topics as well.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Noon to 1:00 PM
At Couth Buzzard Books
Couth Buzzard Books is located at 8310 Greenwood Avenue North in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood and serves a light lunch as well as hot and cold beverages.
If you have any questions, please note them in the comment section of this post at
Seattle Education
Seattle Waldorf High Schools move to Magnuson Park
HP
HP
-FedMomof2
The community input (in-person and online) has been tabulated, summarized, and reported to the Math Adoption Committee (MAC). By this afternoon, we have been told that the committee votes and selection rationale report should be completed. Over the weekend, the MAC members are tasked with reviewing the report.
Fate and mathematical fortune permitting, there should be a public announcement by Monday. I'll post again if something gets delayed.
-FedMomof2
Good photo op though...
While there is a complicated formula for calculating state funding, in the end it is limited to the district's prior year transportation expense. If we cut $3M in costs next year, the maximum revenue for the 2015-16 year will be reduced by that amount.
Do we know how much would it cost to switch to a two-tier schedule - and how much of that cost the state would cover?
With only 1 company providing all buses and, more importantly, all bus drivers, there are some things that just can't be easily fixed. The current vendor has a shortage of qualified drivers - (in part due to the improved economy) - so any solution that requires adding additional routes/trips is unlikely to happen.
Though it's not clearly stated, I suspect that's one driver behind the end of "option school" transport, though that's an educated guess.
The best thing you can do is to write to Supt. Banda and the Board and tell them what works/doesn't work in the proposed transportation changes. Get your next door neighbor to write - your mom, your mailman, the guy on the corner crossing the street. Unless they hear loudly and clearly that something different needs to happen, something WILL happen - just something no one likes.
bbb
"Instead of COLA that voters approved we get legislation passed around called for greater accountability. Instead of smaller class sizes the students get more tests. Instead of improved instructional practice professional development our educators get training in Common Core. Instead of incorporating relevant technology instruction we get computer labs outfitted for taking tests."
We also received a court ruling that stated charter schools are not common schools and aren't to receive tax dollars. Now, we have this:
SB 5994 – Senator Doug Ericksen (Bellingham) - A Common School Fund Charter Schools Fix. The Superior Court ruling on Charter Schools placed some restrictions on capital financing of charter schools. This bill would remove the obstacles that were highlighted in the decision.
It is all incremental.
"Instead of COLA that voters approved we get legislation passed around called for greater accountability. Instead of smaller class sizes the students get more tests. Instead of improved instructional practice professional development our educators get training in Common Core. Instead of incorporating relevant technology instruction we get computer labs outfitted for taking tests."
We also received a court ruling that stated charter schools are not common schools and aren't to receive tax dollars. Now, we have this:
SB 5994 – Senator Doug Ericksen (Bellingham) - A Common School Fund Charter Schools Fix. The Superior Court ruling on Charter Schools placed some restrictions on capital financing of charter schools. This bill would remove the obstacles that were highlighted in the decision.
It is all incremental.
And, of course, we are still not fully-funding the public schools that ALREADY exist.
It is all incremental.
It's like if they pretend it didn't happen, then by golly it DIDN'T. Neener neener!
AAAAAAAAACK!
In advocating for any and all possible locations for more public schools, we were repeatedly told that Magnuson land was impossible due to the donation covenant- recreation only. I guess it depends on who you are, or who you know.
Banging head on desk. Again.
Chris S.
HP