tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2909214821620596353..comments2024-03-29T14:58:17.629-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Odds and EndsMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9157926022508186192014-09-23T22:39:49.987-07:002014-09-23T22:39:49.987-07:00This was reported by the Rainier Valley Post tonig...This was reported by the Rainier Valley Post tonight: Three more south-end schools in lock-down because of a shooting. At least this time they caught the guy:<br /><br /><i>Three south-end schools were locked down for the second time this month after a man fired a gun in the Brighton neighborhood and tried to lure children into his car this afternoon.</i><br /><br />That was in addition to a serious incident yesterday near RBHS where a parent and kids IN THEIR CAR were surrounded by a group of people, and robbed. <br /><br />The City MUST step up police presence around these schools—especially RBHS—or enrollment will continue to stagnate.Andrea Leigh Ptakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804830480381262696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70353422174851799872014-09-23T22:36:25.205-07:002014-09-23T22:36:25.205-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Andrea Leigh Ptakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804830480381262696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76815848691119358582014-09-23T08:06:34.321-07:002014-09-23T08:06:34.321-07:00Lynn, you almost make too much sense.
What could...Lynn, you almost make too much sense. <br /><br />What could the City do to help the high school capacity crisis?<br /><br />- the district has done a good job of making RBHS more attractive (but they certainly could do more for it physically<br />- the City could get more presence in that whole area that has 4 schools less than 2 miles from each other. Make that area safe,day and night.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80349798663133239692014-09-22T22:58:24.995-07:002014-09-22T22:58:24.995-07:00If we're going to need additional elementary s...If we're going to need additional elementary school seats in the central region, it makes much more sense to reopen TT Minor as an elementary and use the downtown building for the World School.<br /><br />The Mann building will be available in January. It looks to me like it now has 22 classrooms. If so, capacity would be over 600 students. There were less than 500 students in NOVA and the World School combined last year. <br /><br />If Washington really is dangerously overcrowded, I don't see why we don't move NOVA and the World School into Mann ASAP. That would allow work to begin on Meany. When the World School moves into the Federal Reserve building, NOVA can begin it's middle school program.<br /><br />I don't know how we'll solve the high school capacity crisis. What could the city do for us in the short term?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58668291126808673452014-09-22T20:34:29.398-07:002014-09-22T20:34:29.398-07:00Would the sentiment about the Federal Reserve buil...Would the sentiment about the Federal Reserve building be different if it were designated as the new home of the World School and the District committed to re-opening TT Minor as a neighborhood elementary? Would that make people drop their opposition?<br /><br />I have to say that if I had two buildings, the Federal Reserve and TT Minor, and one of them had to be the World School with a citywide draw and the other had to be a neighborhood elementary, I would put the World School at the Federal Reserve building and the elementary at TT Minor. Who would do it the other way?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79447141467179819192014-09-22T13:36:51.642-07:002014-09-22T13:36:51.642-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18361187413368291302014-09-22T12:54:32.443-07:002014-09-22T12:54:32.443-07:00Thanks Melissa. Southend residents have been askin...Thanks Melissa. Southend residents have been asking the Mayor about this on our "Fin it, fix it" walks (we have a snarlier name for it here since it doesn't address the very real problems we have).<br /><br />Crosscut recently printed the statement that gun violence is concentrated in the Southend. The lack of safety around southend schools is one reason parents who can go elsewhere (a variety of private schools, Sealth, Hale, etc.), do.<br /><br />It would be great to have someone from outside the area as the Mayor about this.Andrea Leigh Ptakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804830480381262696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43166929623362556362014-09-22T12:06:34.054-07:002014-09-22T12:06:34.054-07:00I'd say even writing a teacher's name on a...I'd say even writing a teacher's name on a blog and saying she is the subject of egregious rumors can be harmful. I don't think an anonymous blog is going to be the source of substantiated information. More rumors maybe. If you know something others don't, or if the principal is covering something up that parents should know about, please don't stop at this blog. There is an old thread on this blog about Loftin's departure from her principal position and it doesn't clarify anything at all. I don't know if a records request could help.<br /><br />Also BryantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65073069852262237392014-09-22T11:54:40.503-07:002014-09-22T11:54:40.503-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74270667635440618412014-09-22T09:54:35.365-07:002014-09-22T09:54:35.365-07:00I am a Bryant parent but haven't heard any rum...I am a Bryant parent but haven't heard any rumors about Tate Loftin. I know she was a principal and now is a PE teacher. My kids both really like her. Can you explain what the rumors pertain to?<br /><br />Also BryantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80605871738722164832014-09-22T09:09:17.850-07:002014-09-22T09:09:17.850-07:00"Does anyone know the deal with Stacey Tate L..."Does anyone know the deal with Stacey Tate Loftin at Bryant Elementary? There are a lot of rumors flying and of course no one knows anything. Anyone have any substantiated information?"<br /><br />I'm reprinting for the Bryant parent who did not read our terms (no multiple word names, beyond two, please).<br /><br />On that subject of the Bryant principal, I have heard nothing. (If you want to write to me offline, it's sss.westbrook@gmail.com)<br /><br />So Andrea, this issue of safety is one that I think the City should be focusing on. The district has to secure their buildings but it is the City's job to keep the streets near our schools safe. That the area around RBHS has multiple schools of all ages, the City has an extra responsibility. <br /><br />I plan on asking the Mayor about this soon.<br /><br />Charlie, the play space for the Federal Reserve building would be on the roof. I don't know what they would do if it was a rainy day. <br /><br />I wish some bright Board member would take up your idea. I think it makes more sense for World School to be downtown and TT Minor brought back into to use. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82976156438997991562014-09-22T04:35:16.778-07:002014-09-22T04:35:16.778-07:00Shouldn't the people who say that high school ...Shouldn't the people who say that high school space citywide is a higher priority than elementary space downtown strongly support the use of the TT Minor building for the World School? That is a direct swap of downtown elementary space for citywide high school space.<br /><br />Or should the World School go into the Federal Reserve building and TT Minor be retained as an elementary school? There's no question that TT Minor is better suited for use as an elementary school (and would save capital dollars if used that way). There's no question that the Federal Reserve building is a better transportation choice for a citywide high school like the World School. But is the World School a better fit in the Federal Reserve building than an elementary school?<br />I don't think there's much opportunity for play space at the Fed building downtown.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89611195216326792292014-09-21T22:28:25.584-07:002014-09-21T22:28:25.584-07:00In regards to school safety:
I am sure there are ...In regards to school safety:<br /><br />I am sure there are issues around both WMS and Garfield. But I know for a fact that schools in Seattle's Southend are in far worse straits. <br /><br />On Sept. 12, According to the Rainier Valley Post FOUR schools were on lockdown after a shooting injured two people. See the full story here:<br /><br />http://rainiervalleypost.com/south-end-schools-locked-down-after-shooting-injures-2-gunman-sought/<br /><br />Shootings are are 150% in the southend—the location of many schools. Rainier Beach High School is located near one of the most dangerous corners (Rainier & Henderson). South Shore K-8 is at the very close to Cloverdale & Rainier, another dangerous corner.<br /><br />The City has been ignoring the rise in crime (muggings, armed robbery and assault are also up) in the southend. They're very concerned about graffiti and street lights though.<br /><br />So yes, many schools are not in safe parts of town.<br />Andrea Leigh Ptakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804830480381262696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72182193236393699192014-09-21T21:05:07.541-07:002014-09-21T21:05:07.541-07:00Does anyone know the deal with Stacey Tate Loftin ...Does anyone know the deal with Stacey Tate Loftin at Bryant Elementary? There are a lot of rumors flying and of course no one knows anything. Anyone have any substantiated information?<br /><br />-Signed Concerned Bryant Parent who, admittedly, doesn't trust SPS administrationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41620043464493766882014-09-21T12:31:08.986-07:002014-09-21T12:31:08.986-07:00WMS, maybe Joe Wolf will chime in but unless there...WMS, maybe Joe Wolf will chime in but unless there are more dollars, I don't see it happening.<br /><br />What is just one more showing of bad capacity management (and I fault the Board for going along with it) is the loss of TT Minor for elementary use.<br /><br />I have been very supportive of the World School but I don't think TT Minor is the right place for them.<br /><br />I say this thinking of the discussion at last week's Operations Ctm. <br /><br />Staff seems convinced that getting the Fed Reserve bldg is a must. (And Herndon's idea of letting it go up for sale and getting a deal thus buying time for the district to find money to renovate it. If the district takes control via the Feds, they HAVE to turn it around into a school within 3 years. Too much pressure.)<br /><br />The district paid at least 7 consultants to figure out that adding onto Bailey Gatzert, Lowell and (now I've forgotten the third) won't work (or cost as much as renovating the Federal Reserve bldg). <br /><br />But no one mentioned the loss of TT Minor. There's where it would have made sense to renovate but they cut themselves off from that option just as they NOW say they will need the space.<br /><br />But to reiterate from what I said previously about that meeting.<br /><br />Joe Wolf said, twice and with firmness, that the need for high school space was greater than elementary space in the Central Area. <br /><br />President Peaslee carefully stated, twice, that she needs to see the costs and the capacity needs before she would commit to any plan for the Federal Reserve bldg. <br /><br />One thing I will note as a former SPS parent - you don't want to get the high school parents on your bad side. It's easier to roll elementary and middle school parents but high school parents have been around the block and do NOT want to mess with their students' future. <br /><br />This may be the next big clash between the staff and the Board. (And we saw a hint of it at the Operations Committee meeting as Director Blanford is getting more and more assertive in his opinions. Remember his "I've got a mandate" talk in his remarks when he was sworn in? I think he's flexing that (perceived) muscle.)Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15216313914351426962014-09-21T12:09:38.391-07:002014-09-21T12:09:38.391-07:00Construction at Meany isn't scheduled to start...Construction at Meany isn't scheduled to start until June of 2016 (when World School moves out) with the opening of the middle school planned for September 2017.<br /><br />Construction at TT Minor (for World School) can't begin until next summer when the tenant moves out. It might be possible to make renovations at Meany over the summers (as at JAMS) and begin using the NOVA half of the school next fall when those students move out. Would neighborhood families prefer a grade by grade roll up in an unrenovated building to the over-crowded WMS?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2886521872190716812014-09-21T11:44:05.903-07:002014-09-21T11:44:05.903-07:00There are also safety issues around capacity issue...There are also safety issues around capacity issues at WMS. The school is extremely crowded and the fifth grade classes ths year are much larger than last years so next year should be more crowded. <br /><br />Does anyone know if there is anyway to open Meany sooner?WMS parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68840944689116532622014-09-21T10:36:00.592-07:002014-09-21T10:36:00.592-07:00The board has exerted it's authority and I bel...The board has exerted it's authority and I believe the math adoption was one of those instances. <br /><br />I am also watching a particular director(s) ask really tough questions, research and push back on issues. Let's not take the work of these individuals for granted.<br /><br />Lack of transparency is a problem. Let's look at the district's work on prek with the Gates Foundation and the city. The board didn't even know this enormous body of work was going on. <br /><br />Using the word "never" is a bit extreme. We don't know what happens out of the public eye.<br /><br />I totally agree that the board needs additional tools to manage mission creep and the blatent disregard for board authority.Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6486500736346144522014-09-21T09:15:06.045-07:002014-09-21T09:15:06.045-07:00Mosfet, you hear that a lot about the name, Smarte...Mosfet, you hear that a lot about the name, Smarter Balanced. I'm surprised that they decided on that one. And, of course, many states won't use the Common Core name anymore; that's a bit tainted as well. <br /><br />Charlie, first, I do believe that the Board has muscle. They just choose not to flex it. <br /><br />They do not have to vote for a budget. Yes, there are timetables but again, a simple, "I do not have the data I need to make a decision" and then just sit back and wait. <br /><br />Make decisions that affect staff like no raises, period. <br /><br />But I feel like Nyland is a smart, sound administrator. I'm not sure he's going to play along because of his integrity.<br /><br />We'll see.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13919249945733984562014-09-21T05:45:48.951-07:002014-09-21T05:45:48.951-07:00Disgusted,
Yes. That's what I mean. Nevermind ...Disgusted,<br />Yes. That's what I mean. Nevermind what the governing documents say. Nevermind what candidates promise when they are running for the Board. What, really, in a practical sense, can the Board do to exercise any control over the district or the senior staff?<br /><br />It appears that they can't do anything.<br /><br />I used to think that the Board simply wasn't trying to enforce policy. I now believe that they lack the authority to do it.<br /><br />Take an example - any example. The staff's inability to meet expectations for audit response. The staff's refusal to address board priorities. The staff's refusal or failure to provide information. The routine violation of dozens of policies. The mission creep of the central administration. Examples abound.<br /><br />What can any board member - or even the Board, acting as a body - do to compel the superintendent or the staff to comply with policy? Nothing. They have no tools.<br /><br />When they run for office they talk about holding the staff accountable, but no Board has even done it.<br /><br />It could be because, as Disgusted points out (and as I have pointed out a number of times) their only tool is to fire the superintendent. That's not much of a management tool, when you have no carrots and the only stick you have is nuclear device. This means that the superintendent is free to completely ignore the Board and to flaunt their authority right up to the point that they are willing to fire him. Given the Board's reluctance to fire a superintendent, that's a whole lot of leeway.<br /><br />Raj Manhas knew that and he used it all. The Board was ready to fire him when he resigned. Dr. Goodloe-Johnson found the limit of it. Mr. Banda was playing with it - even scolding the Board for trying to exercise authority - when he left.<br /><br />The Board needs some management tools.<br /><br />I used to wonder why the Board didn't enforce policy. Why didn't they send the superintendent a message saying "You're out of compliance on policy XXXX. Please comply with the policy by the end of the month." It's because he would take the email, print it out, ball it up, stuff it in their mouth, and tell them never to send such a message again.<br /><br />I used to wonder why the Board has never enforced a policy, why the Board doesn't even have a process for enforcing policy. It's because they are completely powerless to enforce policy.<br /><br />If they make a big display of the superintendent's defiance and insubordination it will only reveal their weakness.<br /><br />This governance system doesn't work because the Board can't do anything to the superintendent but fire him and that would cost them too much.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43519801423554667782014-09-21T00:42:13.854-07:002014-09-21T00:42:13.854-07:00The board is working in a very convoluted system. ...The board is working in a very convoluted system. <br /><br />We have a good board and members that are trying to do due diligence in a system that seeks to diminish their power, and in a system that lacks transparency. Let's not forget that Director Peters asked, for five weeks, for district staff to deliver costs of a multi-million dollar math adoption. Response- crickets. The district attorney had to tell a staffer that the information needed to be turned over to a board member. The board made their math decision and the staff tried to do an end-run around the board. I'm sure this goes on more than anyone wants to imagine.<br /><br />We also have a problem with staff/ transparency. Exhibit A- the district was working with the Gates Foundation, for years, with pre k. The board did NOT know that the staff was working on this initiative until LEV campaigned to get board members to sign on to a half baked prek proposal.<br /><br />This, I am sure, is just the tip of the iceburg.<br /><br />Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39079700518834547212014-09-20T23:17:39.125-07:002014-09-20T23:17:39.125-07:00This is random and unrelated, but the name of the ...This is random and unrelated, but the name of the Smarter Balanced tests makes me think of the faux margarine SmartBalance spread.mosfetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32929040466368841612014-09-20T20:38:20.684-07:002014-09-20T20:38:20.684-07:00Mr Schneider gave emotional testimony about a dang...Mr Schneider gave emotional testimony about a dangerous incident at WMS. I'm not about to get a tape measure to ascertain whether he was mistaken or not. <br /><br />The important issue is when is when is the next time as employee or child gets hurt or killed.<br /><br />mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92127692979546490272014-09-20T19:21:16.991-07:002014-09-20T19:21:16.991-07:00Switching topics, Charlie, could you elaborate on ...Switching topics, Charlie, could you elaborate on that? Is it that the Board's only power is to fire the superintendent, and that's such a blunt instrument that they'll never use it? Or something else? I want to understand what you're saying better, so I'd appreciate it if you could expand on what you've said so far.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14927346394287840072014-09-20T18:44:47.282-07:002014-09-20T18:44:47.282-07:00I used to think that the Board had the authority t...I used to think that the Board had the authority to compel the staff to comply with policy and law, but that Board directors simply wouldn't exercise that authority. I no longer believe that they actually have the authority. So even the most diligent board director - even the most diligent board - does not have the authority to compel the staff to do anything they don't want to do, including comply with policy or law.<br /><br />The staff can (and apparently does) just tell the Board to get bent.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.com