tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1761307632568895157..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Work Session on Strategic Plan: Not As I ThoughtMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66350988412124225492015-12-30T20:34:49.196-08:002015-12-30T20:34:49.196-08:00Amen, Reader 47. The lack of maintenance and basic...Amen, Reader 47. The lack of maintenance and basic items like those you listed just drive me crazy.<br /><br />And, that's the fodder for "you have enough money but you don't spend it right" that Reps like to use. (But I always ask, "What would you cut?" and never get an answer.)Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89169419537127497372015-12-29T09:30:28.348-08:002015-12-29T09:30:28.348-08:00These are the things that get me riled up - relate...These are the things that get me riled up - related to building maintenance:<br /><br /><i>"Current staffing level is low by any measure. Based on the OSPI Classified Staffing Adequacy report we should have 239 maintenance employees (currently 61) Current model is almost complete reactive maintenance which puts us at risk of lost instruction time. Emergency work order costs more than 75% of a normal work order."</i><br /><br />Or this one - related to employee screening :<br /><i>No current budget for repairs. Fingerprinting system is 8 years old and is past its expected useful life. This unit is required for screening new employees</i><br /><br />Or this, about the Truancy program:<br /><i>The Truancy office used to have 5 such persons, and over the years has been decreased to two. Now it has one person, and the district is not in compliance with state law regarding truancy, and is at risk of Losing Title 1 or other federal funds funneled through OSPS</i><br /><br /><br />Get your priorities straight gang. That's my money you are wasting. No more high paid deputy Supes or Ed Directors or anything of that ilk until the basics are in order. You don't go out and buy a new car when your plumbing is full of holes. Aiyiyi the thinking (or lack of it) that goes on in that place!<br /><br /><br />reader47Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26059718192155535642015-12-29T07:28:50.687-08:002015-12-29T07:28:50.687-08:00I have made most of the Board aware of these docum...I have made most of the Board aware of these documents and their contents. <br /><br />A large portion of BTA IV is for technology work and now we see why.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13193226044384838042015-12-28T23:05:54.652-08:002015-12-28T23:05:54.652-08:00How much of technology is related to testing needs...How much of technology is related to testing needs? It is worth noting that many administrative projects require updated technology, as well. <br /><br />In addition to 54 of 84 drop-outs returning to school, I am pleased to see the district address the needs of traumatized students.<br />Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36193455873468013802015-12-28T23:03:28.385-08:002015-12-28T23:03:28.385-08:00Not to mention the fact that the district never pr...Not to mention the fact that the district <i>never</i> properly maintains technology at the school level. Ever. nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77816004570126527582015-12-28T21:44:03.941-08:002015-12-28T21:44:03.941-08:00So basically SPS is embarking on a massive project...So basically SPS is embarking on a massive project to expand computerized learning in the classrooms, taking money from BEX to do it, and they haven't mentioned this in an open and transparent way to the public. I'm fine with some technology in the classroom, as a supplement, but I adamantly oppose having computerized learning be the main way kids learn. And I don't trust SPS to respect those wishes.<br /><br />I really hope our new board is willing to put a halt to this and have a broader public conversation about what is a dramatic shift in how kids are taught - as well as how we spend money, especially at a time when SPS has so many other needs.Robert Cruickshankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06906581839066570472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10204490981569797642015-12-28T20:09:23.582-08:002015-12-28T20:09:23.582-08:00Oops, forgot to include entire paragraph:
"I...Oops, forgot to include entire paragraph:<br /><br />"It will position students well for Higher Education, where eLearning and Distance Education are common. This project is being funded in FY15-17 by reallocating funding from other BEX IV initiatives. Beyond that, there is no funding identified for licensing and maintenance. Funding of this starting in FY16 would allow other projects to retain their funding, and would assist in a more rapid deployment across the District." <br />Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46666712143936527822015-12-28T20:07:30.510-08:002015-12-28T20:07:30.510-08:00That is quite a Christmas list, Mirimac.
I was pl...That is quite a Christmas list, Mirimac.<br /><br />I was pleased to see that 54 of 84 drop-outs returned to school. Very good investment.<br /><br />My eye went to the same paragraph:<br /><br />"It will position students well for Higher Education, where eLearning and Distance Education are common. This project is being funded in FY15-17 by reallocating funding from other BEX IV initiatives"<br /><br />I always dislike seeing costs of hardware/software/vendors and licensing costs increase. Present cost is $2.5M.<br /><br />Tiered system of supports wants to increase by 26. Where will these individuals be placed and what is their job?<br /><br />Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40800108626712449332015-12-28T15:59:41.299-08:002015-12-28T15:59:41.299-08:00Melissa, the 4 Middle College sites are now run by...Melissa, the 4 Middle College sites are now run by Simon Youth Foundation, as in the Simon Malls. Goodbye social justice; hello computer-based standardized curriculum.<br />-Liza SfTLiza Rankinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01074319353580223165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31582634533463040122015-12-28T15:40:42.933-08:002015-12-28T15:40:42.933-08:00There were a couple of items on the list that indi...There were a couple of items on the list that indicated SPS was in danger of losing funding for not meeting an OSPI/Fed requirement - I would think you'd want to make sure everything in every department is meeting compliance levels before you add some of the more well, pie-in-sky type ideas like - oh - a Pre-K deputy supe and 3 more Exec directors as suggested elsewhere in mirmac1's find. Ack and double ack.<br /><br />reader47Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8418714441902570292015-12-28T13:02:55.827-08:002015-12-28T13:02:55.827-08:00Here's the joke. The misguided concept of &qu...Here's the joke. The misguided concept of "service-based budgeting" hardly looks at how current department budgets can be applied more wisely. Everything is an "add". What they should do is build budget from the ground up. Zero-based budgeting. And the board only sees the tip of the iceberg when it comes to budget and expenditures.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56931041086671809182015-12-28T12:46:42.545-08:002015-12-28T12:46:42.545-08:00Mirmac 1, great find. I need to look into this &q...Mirmac 1, great find. I need to look into this "personalized learning" and what BEX IV money is being converted. That is academics being described there, not capital.<br /><br />I'm with others; good place for the Board to hit the pause button and ask very hard questions.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78715955622748674232015-12-28T12:30:37.221-08:002015-12-28T12:30:37.221-08:00Wait - they want to reduce interaction with/need f...Wait - they want to reduce interaction with/need for teachers to prepare our students for higher education that consists of eLearning and Distance Education. When were they planning to ask the community if this is what we want for our children? <br />This is yet another idea from downtown that makes me think driving up private school enrollment rates is the plan for dealing with overcrowded schools. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26681315561262089512015-12-28T12:27:15.710-08:002015-12-28T12:27:15.710-08:00I was upset with all the on-line junk myself. And ...I was upset with all the on-line junk myself. And as for PD delivered online? Teachers actually can read. We are individually looking for information and prof development all the time because we know what we need. I'm so sick of the district deciding what we need to spend time on. It is never what I'm interested in knowing. And my needs change because my classroom and kids' needs change. You know, the isolated pomp and circumstance at John Stanford is defeating the education of SPS kids and leaving teachers exhausted and deprived of the things they need most: time to plan and good curriculum.nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63665354933757417632015-12-28T12:09:37.153-08:002015-12-28T12:09:37.153-08:00The fact that central office is swirling around on...The fact that central office is swirling around on 200+ proposed projects is a joke. No wonder the work isn't getting done - too many meetings with staff saying these projects don't have funding, we don't have the staff to complete it, etc. Too many excuses and not enough teamwork, leadership, and transparency (and common sense). Leadership needs to make some decisions on what gets done and what does not. Also, JSCEE needs to truly manage their staff. Why is it that 10% of staff do 90% of the work? Get rid of the many non performers who just show up and don't actually deliver any work.Frustratednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48041863415568357782015-12-28T09:42:56.456-08:002015-12-28T09:42:56.456-08:00Elements of this made it into the June Budget Ivan...Elements of this made it into the June Budget Ivan<br /><br />reader47, my issue is with the Learning Management System and Online Learning:<br /><br /><i>"New Service: Implementation, support, maintenance and operations of a modern Learning Management System (LMS) and Classroom Data System (CDS) to support staff/instructor PD, and to support eLearning for all students<br /><br />Implementing a full, robust LMS (and fully supporting it with appropriate and trained staff) can revolutionize how SPS offers classes to students, and how SPS provides opportunities for Professional Development for staff and instructors. It is long overdue. <br /><br />It will position students well for Higher Education, where eLearning and Distance Education are common. This project is being funded in FY15-17 by reallocating funding from other BEX IV initiatives. Beyond that, there is no funding identified for licensing and maintenance. Funding of this starting in FY16 would allow other projects to retain their funding, and would assist in a more rapid deployment across the District. <br /><br />Most of the purchase and implementation cost is being covered in FY15 (2014-2015) due to the urgency of this initiative. This also covers the increased cost of the CMS due to the loss of E-Rate funding to cover CMS costs (no longer allowed under new E-Rate rules. This includes licensing, maintenance, additional LMS staff support, etc.<br /><br />Note: Funding has been re-assigned in FY16 and in FY17 to cover the majority of these costs, however, funding directly via an increase would re-establish funding in areas where funding was reduced (Student Devices, Disaster Recovery, etc.) "</i><br /><br />This is classified as URGENT!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52286591565849647002015-12-28T09:33:07.093-08:002015-12-28T09:33:07.093-08:00"The new Office of the Deputy Superintendent ..."The new Office of the Deputy Superintendent itself has 32 "asks" costing near $7M. Lots of project manager this and analyst that."<br />--<br />"There is little detail on the AAM initiative, just an "ask" for $1M for the Superintendent's Office."<br />--<br />NOW is the time for the new board to tell them: ZERO. ZERO for any of this. Nada. Zip. Niente. Rien. Make do with what you have or get the hell out.<br /><br />-- Ivan WeissAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22775049695303683672015-12-28T09:05:11.050-08:002015-12-28T09:05:11.050-08:00The list was distilled into this Powerpoint, which...The list was distilled into this <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/294159487/2015-2016-Service-based-Budgeting-Follow-up-A" rel="nofollow">Powerpoint</a>, which was likely reviewed with Exec Leadership only.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74698321712253680402015-12-28T08:57:19.398-08:002015-12-28T08:57:19.398-08:00So wait - they (staff) couldn't be bothered to...So wait - they (staff) couldn't be bothered to let the Board know what they hoped to gain from this particular work session?? Is it any wonder there are so many things falling thru the gaps if something as simple as this doesn't happen? <br /><br />And Mirmac1 hard to say out of context, but I'm guessing those are in order of someone's preference/priority? Wowza - this one is scary <i>need intensive audit response support (via contract) to resolve growing backlog of open internal control issues"</i> Not to mention this under Supe "3 FTE to lead key work"hmmm......<br /><br /><br />reader47<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74596853826160512182015-12-28T08:22:42.594-08:002015-12-28T08:22:42.594-08:00There is little detail on the AAM initiative, just...There is little detail on the AAM initiative, just an "ask" for $1M for the Superintendent's Office.<br /><br />Has anyone ever heard of Paul Riili? This is his title and job description:<br /><br /><br />Interim Executive Director, Strategic Planning and System Improvement<br /><br />Seattle Public Schools<br /><br />April 2015 – Present (9 months)Greater Seattle Area<br /><br />Oversee activities for a district-wide program management office, including a portfolio of 130 technology and business process related projects. Manage stakeholder expectations and provide regular status to senior leadership. Provide training/coaching on project management principles to all levels of the organization. Ensure resource alignment to projects in support of the District Strategic Plan. <br />• Streamlined the project governance process creating a single point of entry for all district-wide projects.<br />• Revised and created project management methods and templates<br />• Developed a training plan to obtain organization buy-in on the value of project management<br />mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61393867809482080392015-12-28T08:00:53.574-08:002015-12-28T08:00:53.574-08:00The Board gets Powerpoint Rebecca. No real hard i...The Board gets Powerpoint Rebecca. No real hard information on what staff is doing in this regard. I have located a <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/294154579/Proposed-Prioritization-by-Type-050715-v3" rel="nofollow">very interesting document</a> that I'll lay bets the board has never seen. I recommend that readers download this spreadsheet. Wright underreports the number of new initiatives underway. Not 90, more like 211, estimated to cost $37M. The new Office of the Deputy Superintendent itself has 32 "asks" costing near $7M. Lots of project manager this and analyst that.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83106753191530269222015-12-28T08:00:44.199-08:002015-12-28T08:00:44.199-08:00Well Rebecca, as I noted, staff didn't explain...Well Rebecca, as I noted, staff didn't explain the direction of the meeting and with a 45-page presentation, I would have wondered myself where the time would have been for a conversation. For those of us who attend Work Sessions regularly, there is seldom a lot of conversation. <br /><br />Also, as I said, why Blanford didn't bring up the AA initiative is a mystery to me. <br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10131495112616895742015-12-28T06:56:40.854-08:002015-12-28T06:56:40.854-08:00
I am surprised by the lack of preparedness of the...<br />I am surprised by the lack of preparedness of the board, to be honest, for a conversation about the SP, Board Priorities and SMART Goals. The SMART Goal 2 (African American Male Scholars Initiative), 3 (Special Education) and 5 (Bell Times Initiative) were related to such important recent events.<br /><br />See my full response in Soup for Teachers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/SoupForTeachers/permalink/543523495803760/Reba Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06167750830150595094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62957856734975503652015-12-28T06:12:37.203-08:002015-12-28T06:12:37.203-08:00I'm sorry I missed this meeting. I'm glad...I'm sorry I missed this meeting. I'm glad the board runs their own work sessions, rather than passive recipients of powerpoint bullet points. Rick, I agree that the next few months are vital to steering the JSCEE Titanic in the right direction.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56639318357992666332015-12-28T00:46:02.866-08:002015-12-28T00:46:02.866-08:00I concur with Melissa's characterization of th...I concur with Melissa's characterization of this Work Session as "vital". As a new Director, I'm trying to understand the moving pieces within the district, and how the Strategic Plan and SMART goals actually turn into building- and classroom-level improvements. I can say for certain that the work in the next 1-2 months will be directional for 2016. New board committees create their annual work plans and the full board establishes SMART goals. These are both points of leverage where I hope to see education advocates from the community weigh in.<br /><br />Also, I want to share a December community meeting which I just booked. It will be tomorrow, Monday 12/28 at the Greenwood Public Library from 6:30 to 7:45 PM. Sorry about the short notice, but I just booked this last-minute because I wanted to hold a community meeting before the Jan 6th Board Meeting. Approval of school CSIPs are up for action, Acceptance of ORCA card grant from City of Seattle and near-term capacity management actions are up for introduction on the 6th. Of course, anything is up for discussion and I'm happy to hear your ideas for improving the district.<br /><br />Please also share feedback about whether midweek evenings or weekends are preferred for future Community Meetings. If you can't make this meeting but want to bend my ear about anything, please let me know at rick.burke@seattleschools.org.<br /><br /><br /><br />Rick Burkenoreply@blogger.com