tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post244445500011708627..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Wednesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10220833101981493032012-10-19T08:24:22.303-07:002012-10-19T08:24:22.303-07:00Yes, Really!? the district published that annual i...Yes, Really!? the district published that annual info. But the website used to have a better explanation so you can see how PCP time is figured and the recommended elementary general ed teacher size ratio per grade, not just bilingual and Spec. Ed breakdown. It offered explanation why they swtiched to WSS and included examples how to figure out WSS (what's LAP, title I, etc.) That's the stuff I searched for and couldn't find anymore. It may be on the website still, but I didn't have any luck finding it. <br /><br />Math mom<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7322936259738706572012-10-19T08:07:24.355-07:002012-10-19T08:07:24.355-07:00"Before all the changes to the district's..."Before all the changes to the district's website, it used to have a WSS primer on how school budget is calculated and the waiver process, etc. Now can't find it anywhere. Too bad! "<br /><br />really?!<br /><br />I did a google search on "Seattle Schools WSS" and easily found it on this page: http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=&pageid=263011<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/budget/wss/2013/wssmodel13.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21045087474659942132012-10-19T07:58:07.530-07:002012-10-19T07:58:07.530-07:00Any time you have have major changes within SPS su...Any time you have have major changes within SPS such as school closure, NSAP, new option school, transportation, or changes to a school or its program, you are going to get less exact enrollment projection. For APP, I would guess it's tougher to predict enrollment number because while you have a predictable APP seat number for APP kids, not all APP kids plan to sit in those seats, but rather remain in their NSAP or option school or until they decide to make the change.<br /><br />math mom<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42478779486848449402012-10-19T07:41:39.276-07:002012-10-19T07:41:39.276-07:00Lori, don't remeber specifics, but Lawton 2011...Lori, don't remeber specifics, but Lawton 2011-12 was projected to have more than 450 students which by WSS would give them an asst. principal and a teacher. The Oct. count was less. I don't think it was a large number, more like 10 or so kids, but enough to trigger the downsizing. Class size got bigger. I believe this may also affect things like nursing and PCP allocation. As far as split class goes, our school and Lawton has had them in years passed due to awkward grade size breakdown, but don't know if Lawton had to resort to that last year.<br /><br />Within WSS guideline, there is a waiver process that the principal can apply for. It applies only to high performing schools. Again much of this depends on overall district budget and your school admin and teaching staff and what they want. I was told by my principal WSS doesn't allow for much leeway in terms of staffing manipulation. If your school has a BLT, would suggest asking them for your school WSS info or ask your school principal directly.<br /><br />Obviously, it's best to get it right the first time, but I think enrollment cannot be predicted to the exact number which makes it tough every spring (planning time for next year's budget) if your enrollment number is near a WSS allocation cutoff. I also heard it's better to staff up than staff down because of hiring issues. <br /><br />math mom Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70589280277736716342012-10-18T17:37:27.939-07:002012-10-18T17:37:27.939-07:00thanks for that info, math mom. Any chance you rem...thanks for that info, math mom. Any chance you remember any details, like how many students under projections Lawton was? How did they resolve it? Did they need to create split-grade classes? <br /><br />Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75777875323148959812012-10-18T17:01:17.826-07:002012-10-18T17:01:17.826-07:00Our neighboring school, Lawton lost at least one t...Our neighboring school, Lawton lost at least one teacher and an assistant principal due to lower than expected enrollment last fall. Like it or not, I think we are stuck with WSS, Oct. count, and up/down staff sizing as long as this district is running deficit. Before all the changes to the district's website, it used to have a WSS primer on how school budget is calculated and the waiver process, etc. Now can't find it anywhere. Too bad! <br /><br /><br />math momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45455278727910021292012-10-18T12:30:41.252-07:002012-10-18T12:30:41.252-07:00According to the data from the District, Ballard h...According to the data from the District, Ballard has 187 SpEd (11.6%), and Ingraham has 130 (12.7%). Both are below the District average of 13.78%. Since I'm not an SpEd, I can't comment on how the schools might support their SpEd students. I do know our PTSA, or Sports boosters, etc., tries hard to respond positively to all the grant requests submitted for our CBT programs, Special Olympians, etc. RosieReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16509678140588070623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2537732345608640622012-10-18T11:49:30.444-07:002012-10-18T11:49:30.444-07:00RosieReader, word on the street is many SpEd paren...RosieReader, word on the street is many SpEd parents advocate to be placed at Ingraham, instead of Ballard with its psuedo-services for many Sped students.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44161055127928699752012-10-18T10:31:42.920-07:002012-10-18T10:31:42.920-07:00The October 1 count has been used for many years. ...The October 1 count has been used for many years. Someone asked about other impacted schools. This year Ingraham saw a much larger number of students than had been budgeted. Overall # of students is 1018, 325 fresh, 272 soph, 196 jun, and 225 seniors. As a result there will be new teachers added, I believe there will be two new educators. And a currently-part time counselor will more to more time, and maybe even full time. RosieReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16509678140588070623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52654035472350444892012-10-17T21:48:55.449-07:002012-10-17T21:48:55.449-07:00How did the school board vote on I-1240?? I had to...How did the school board vote on I-1240?? I had to leave the meeting early.<br /><br />-Public school mamaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943744073332758161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44612348137575977102012-10-17T21:44:18.861-07:002012-10-17T21:44:18.861-07:00$$$$$$$$$
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/201210...$$$$$$$$$<br /><br />http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121017/NEWS03/710179873/0/SEARCH<br /><br />That 's alot of tutoring or after school programs. It's not about the kids !<br /><br />Public School ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17105807967156551952012-10-17T21:04:18.078-07:002012-10-17T21:04:18.078-07:00Here is an idea for Pinehurst. Why not move TC int...Here is an idea for Pinehurst. Why not move TC into the new school they are building on the property and Pinehurst into the smaller building. The two option programs should be able to share the space nicely and even collaborate. <br /><br />Both schools do Sped pretty well so that would also likely be some expanded options for Sped.<br /><br />You can draw a larger geo zone right around the neighborhood to help take some pressure off the area. <br /><br />- not a pinehurst family but think this could work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29094470017288511852012-10-17T19:54:58.345-07:002012-10-17T19:54:58.345-07:00Phil is being identified as "the man" fo...Phil is being identified as "the man" for the Pinehurst community. Pats on the back and a promise to "move forward" with conversations, "honor them and their work," etc. But nothing that hints of even an ephemeral commitment to maintain the alt program there. Eeee. Scary. Hope the vagueness is only vagueness, and nothing more.<br /><br />Sherry is pleading for the District to post/make information available so people can figure out what in the hell is going on (my words, not hers) in terms of the data driving the proposals, how the WP site will work with two schools (playgrounds, etc.).<br /><br />And Peaslee confirms that, astonishingly enough, a downtown school is still on the list! AARGH!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33343223201885938602012-10-17T19:23:34.024-07:002012-10-17T19:23:34.024-07:00Interesting discussion on moving AH up (based on S...Interesting discussion on moving AH up (based on Sharon Peaslee question). It comes down to the tradeoff of kids with NO space (mostly northend but also SP) versus kids with horrible space (AH) -- and the kids with NO space are winning. This seems like a reasonable tradeoff to me (acknowledging that I have no kids in that crumbling building -- and that others may see it differently). They are at least TALKING trying to think creatively (what is "internal borrowing?) to have cake and eat it too?Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76961515249996589452012-10-17T18:44:14.660-07:002012-10-17T18:44:14.660-07:00OMG. I am watching the board comments on 1240 and ...OMG. I am watching the board comments on 1240 and it is EXACTLY what I thought. Harium Martin-Morris: Oh, I am on the record as opposing charters and I'm still there, but if they SHOULD happen to pass then...(basically they aren't so bad and he likes them except he can't say it in this venue.) He totally wants to have his cake from the Corporate Reform crowd and eat the board position too. He is a complete, sneaky ass on this matter, IMHO. Except he isn't even sneaky because he is so transparent in his groveling to not lose his Corporate Ed toadies.<br /><br />However, I will call myself wrong on Carr. She was much stronger and firmer on her I said no and I mean no stance. She explained why eloquently. I apologize for tarring her with my weasely suspicions.<br /><br /><br />DistrictWatcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16144684612533799432012-10-17T18:38:58.398-07:002012-10-17T18:38:58.398-07:00Seattle Sped,
Stacey McCrath-Smith got moved up t...Seattle Sped,<br /><br />Stacey McCrath-Smith got moved up to interim direct. Not Ex Director, director.<br /><br />-SWWSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19036518374065560212012-10-17T17:09:54.763-07:002012-10-17T17:09:54.763-07:00Newbie - if you haven't found it - it's on...Newbie - if you haven't found it - it's online here:<br />mms://mediaserver.seattleschools.org/liveSomeonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4672465401153757122012-10-17T16:39:08.344-07:002012-10-17T16:39:08.344-07:00Charlie,
Your math is off...APP at Lincoln has 21...Charlie,<br /><br />Your math is off...APP at Lincoln has 21 classroom teachers and 3 PCP. Total of 24 - which your own math suggests is .5 FTE over the mark and so does not explain the 1.5 FTE that is being cut. <br /><br />I guess my question is, if you applied this same math to other schools, wouldn't you find the same or even higher misappropriation of teachers? We would anticipate this to be true, just looking at student-teacher ratios, and so why the cut at APP at Lincoln?<br /><br />Questioning the math.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66039646821291850852012-10-17T16:38:19.695-07:002012-10-17T16:38:19.695-07:00@Questioning the math. The staff allocations are ...@Questioning the math. The staff allocations are done based on numbers of students and extra factors like sped. So looking at just the student-teacher ratio is deceptive. You have to consider the school size as well, along with the population of kids at the school. Even if all the schools had just "normal" students what you'd see was a range of ratios in each school size group. In other words you have to compare Lincoln only to schools within the same size range and then account for the different profiles of each school w.r.t. to extra staff that they get. <br /><br />That's not to say you might not find a discrepancy but the student ratios are not a smoking gun.<br /><br />Ben<br /><br /><br />Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56873215532839732102012-10-17T16:18:28.503-07:002012-10-17T16:18:28.503-07:00Charlie,
Your math is off...APP at Lincoln has 21...Charlie,<br /><br />Your math is off...APP at Lincoln has 21 classroom teachers and 3 PCP. Total of 24 - which your own math suggests is .5 FTE over the mark. <br /><br />I guess my question is, if you applied this same math to other schools, wouldn't you find the same or even higher misappropriation of teachers? We would anticipate this to be true, just looking at student-teacher ratios, and so why the cut at APP at Lincoln?<br /><br />Questioning the math.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2329932624578575872012-10-17T16:08:21.204-07:002012-10-17T16:08:21.204-07:00I would like to follow the meeting tonight but can...I would like to follow the meeting tonight but cannot go to it. We also do not have a TV.<br /><br />Is there a place that it is streamed online?<br /><br />Thank you for the information you share. I cannot find it anywhere else.<br /><br />NewbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84890293797477637602012-10-17T15:42:56.956-07:002012-10-17T15:42:56.956-07:00What I don't understand is how falling short o...What I don't understand is how falling short of enrollment projections by SIX kids leads to a cut of 1.5 teachers.<br /><br />I'd also like to know if we are the only school whose actual enrollment was less than the estimated enrollment.<br /><br />APP Parent@LincolnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32662910742648421302012-10-17T15:33:23.159-07:002012-10-17T15:33:23.159-07:00How many schools, k-12, are seeing Fall adjustment...How many schools, k-12, are seeing Fall adjustments of 1.0 FTE or greater? APP -1.5, Bagley +1.0 looking for some perspective.<br /><br />Bigger PictureAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17779050755286406032012-10-17T15:10:23.012-07:002012-10-17T15:10:23.012-07:00I understand the frustration with the change comin...I understand the frustration with the change coming now for Lincoln, but the October 1st date has been used in previous years. You may not have known about it as it hadn't affected your school previously, but that's what was used last year to reduce staff at our school.<br />Been There, Done ThatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46733005292697596282012-10-17T14:52:43.987-07:002012-10-17T14:52:43.987-07:00parent, true they have a clearer idea of enrollmen...<b>parent</b>, true they have a clearer idea of enrollment with APP than with neighborhood schools. But they know enrollment EXACTLY with Option schools that have wait lists (because they choose the class size and move the wait list to pick it.) That didn't keep them from creating large classes when they chose. It sounds like APP@L lost more kids over the summer than they projected and now has to cut back. Would it have been better if they over estimated the summer melt and made the classes too big to start with? Both are painful. (BTW, my 9th grader has been in a core class of 44 since school started. One of these days, a new teacher will start and about 1/3 of her class will (randomly) be assigned to a new teacher. She loves her teacher and will be sad if she gets moved, but the poor guy has over 200 kids to grade for now, so it has to happen.)Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.com