tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3232387959860645454..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Campaigns - What Does a "Positive" Campaign Look Like?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83899721745717578072013-10-17T11:09:05.911-07:002013-10-17T11:09:05.911-07:00Steve - do you know why the music teacher does not...Steve - do you know why the music teacher does not have a set of musical instruments basic to her teaching the class? I'm really just asking the question...no snark intended. Aside from the whole separation from Lowell debacle...why are we in our 3rd year and she still doesn't have these basic items.<br /><br />curiousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51826997802694782522013-10-17T03:27:44.078-07:002013-10-17T03:27:44.078-07:00Perhaps you missed the thread, Steve, but it's...Perhaps you missed the thread, Steve, but it's what I'm looking at right now. From what I gather, it's a need too large to draw any true help from the PTA. Too occupied with rallying for divisive causes like elections to even get behind their multiple year request in a meaningful way. That tells me we've lost our way a bit and have forgotten where our huge energies should be going. And if you were the one writing the checks, you should know this more than most.<br /><br />-What Are We Fighting ForAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74608501355619346182013-10-16T23:01:31.529-07:002013-10-16T23:01:31.529-07:00Hi. The remark by What Are We Fighting For about t...Hi. The remark by What Are We Fighting For about the APP @ Lincoln PTA not providing teachers with funds for basic supplies is nonsense. The PTA has always provided significant funds, to every teacher. I know...I wrote all the checks in the past two years! Criticize what you like, but this just isn't factual. Carry on...<br /><br />Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05105365816526108707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28364241411668644012013-10-16T17:05:19.215-07:002013-10-16T17:05:19.215-07:00As a long-time APP parent, I'm disgusted. When...As a long-time APP parent, I'm disgusted. When everything happened with RG, I was disgusted that the PTA, led by Jean, was so quick to stifle parents with VERY legitimate questions by releasing an unquestioned support letter to the media. A pawn. Good on Sue for asking those questions anyway. At least she's got the stones to. (Full disclosure, no dog in this fight, I'm just horrified by SDE's followers. If it's got anything to do with that group of people, I'm not interested.) Regardless of the outcome, they needed to be asked. And for Jean to talk about tears and driving out teachers is laughable. Ask her about the massive bullying campaign she led as PTA president to have parents literally pull their students out of class to boycott a teacher until the teacher was removed. The PTA there has access to far too much information at the school because Rina is a pawn, and they have more influence than they should. There was a mass exodus of teachers, and the youth/inexperience of the majority of staff there speaks for itself. I'm on the SNAPP FB page and haven't chimed in in a while, but conversations surrounding this campaign that should have nothing to do with our students that are dominating the now vitriol-filled page, while conversations about the PTA actually funding teacher's classrooms who have been asking for years for basic supplies have gone ignored. That organization isn't worth my money for their mega campaign anymore. Not with the agenda-driven, myopic mafia at the helm. It's a bullying, selfish culture that's not really focused on our students. It's sad and disgusting.<br /><br />-What Are We Fighting ForAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5148417015879742012013-10-15T20:55:42.852-07:002013-10-15T20:55:42.852-07:00Records indicate that Jean Bryant met with Estey&#...Records indicate that Jean Bryant met with Estey's high profile consultant- Christian Sinderman- last August with other community members.<br /><br />Estey's SECOND consultant- ARGO STRATEGIES- set-up the meeting. <br /><br />Just Wownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7786813890088683652013-10-15T17:21:12.939-07:002013-10-15T17:21:12.939-07:00And at Lawton next week.
Go. Listen. These are go...And at Lawton next week.<br /><br />Go. Listen. These are good opportunities.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6546109956084612642013-10-15T12:53:41.490-07:002013-10-15T12:53:41.490-07:00Both candidates will also be at the Maple Leaf can...Both candidates will also be at the Maple Leaf candidates forum at Olympic View on Wednesday October 16th.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27321380881457893732013-10-15T12:15:01.902-07:002013-10-15T12:15:01.902-07:00Ugh, well-articulated and thoughtful. Nice job.
...Ugh, well-articulated and thoughtful. Nice job.<br /><br />I will point out one thing about comments about Sue's advocacy at APP@ Lincoln. She was willing to stand up and be counted. She asked hard questions and didn't back down. Was that abrasive? I wasn't there.<br /><br />But, in the end, both the principals got sanctions. <br /><br />And, we find out that the one that remains at Lincoln has been having inappropriate personnel conversations with at least one PTA parent (and maybe she's continuing that on today, I don't know) who used that knowledge in a campaign e-mail against Sue Peters.<br /><br />You are known by who you associate with. That people are taking a harder look at Dale Estey's list of supporters (and financial contributors) is a good thing.<br /><br />Look at both candidates' supporters. Look for a broad base of people. Ask yourself if you see names that might go into one category rather than a broad spectrum of the community. <br /><br />I'm going to the City Club One-Stop Ballot Shop tonight where the candidates will be at tables and you can talk to them one-on-one. Get their views, find out what they know about the growth boundaries or math adoption or any burning issue. <br /><br />It's at the Armory starting at 5 p.m. It's a golden opportunity.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2419842177981377172013-10-15T11:45:16.526-07:002013-10-15T11:45:16.526-07:00Documentation indicates that Jean Bryant has met ...Documentation indicates that Jean Bryant has met with Estey's high profile campaign manager- Christian Sinderman.<br /><br />Bryant is not an innocent bystander.Too Muchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36832795550554101222013-10-15T11:39:17.115-07:002013-10-15T11:39:17.115-07:00I'm off to work so I'll end here with thes...I'm off to work so I'll end here with these thoughts. I envy you WSDWG, I wish I have personal experiences with both candidates as that would help me decide. I know the ballots are coming. <br /><br />So this is my gamble vote, + the mayoral one. But this one has more potential for vastly different outcome depending on who wins. That's what driving my voting decision. <br /><br />Until this point, Estey has been a bland candidate for me because she has no track record in the district. There isn't much there except what gets in the ST or mailed out. I went this morning to both their websites and read. I noted their endorsers. <br /><br />What this whole ridiculous sideshow tells me is I rather have a firebrand than a manipulator. Professionally, I can handle an abrasive personality on the team than one who play manipulative head games. In my job, this matters in my patient outcome.<br /><br />So I'm gambling on Sue Peters. I'm gambling that Peters as Board member will move beyond the narrow group she has been most associated with. I'm gambling that she will embrace SPED and those constituents that you rarely hear on any blog or see at community meetings (A change in zip code has been my personal eye opener.) <br /><br />I think Estey's heart is in the right place, but her campaign shows a hardness there and perhaps a greater political ambition than just mere school district board member. There's nothing wrong with that, but politics forge strange partnerships and not always good ones. I fear that's being played out right before our eyes. <br /><br />I don't want this on our Board. I want peace in the valley. I want the board to work with Mr. Banda and get us through some very tough challenges ahead. I don't want the distraction of ed reform politics, TFAs, charters, latest learning gizmos, state/city politics or for that matter, personal politics to detract from that work. <br /><br />I want a well governed and managed school district to be proud of and healthy learning environment for our kids. <br /><br />ugh<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45397378135629907162013-10-15T11:33:34.962-07:002013-10-15T11:33:34.962-07:00I don't see why perceived as abrasive is neces...I don't see why perceived as abrasive is necessarily a black mark for Peters as a School Board candidate (or board member). After all, the Board Member she and Estey are hoping to replace - DeBell - is nothing if not abrasive and not willing to work well with those of differing perceptions. (And what is worse, he's smug, too.)<br /><br />Estey & I have mutual friends who have told me that Estey is not a supporter of charter schools and a reform agenda, but I don't trust that information because I haven't heard her say anything directly on the subject and her campaign website is remarkably content-free from a policy/platform perspective. Therefore in the absence of any actual information (and I have asked a couple of direct questions, to which I'm still waiting answers), for me, Estey is an unacceptable candidate by association: 1) endorsed by the extremely damaging DeBell; 2) the sources of her campaign financing.<br /><br />-flibbertigibbetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69157556829331086342013-10-15T10:45:14.077-07:002013-10-15T10:45:14.077-07:00Aside from an apparent go-round with a principal a...Aside from an apparent go-round with a principal and assistant principal, both of whom were found guilty of misconduct, I have yet to see a fact alleged against Peters in this smear campaign. The closest anything gets toward a fact are the unproven allegations in Bryant's e-mail, such as the apparent allegation that Peters herself drove a teacher out of the building. Which, of course, doesn't pass the laugh test, as no parent has any such power in this district, especially if the teacher had support of both principals and the PTA. But aside from that, where are the facts in this smear campaign? I have yet to see any. <br /><br />To those who call Peters "abrasive" and such, I can attest first-hand that she's no pushover and doesn't swallow BS. If you've been in this district awhile, you know we need that. If you value go-along-to-get-along, over accountability, don't vote for her. She's definitely not your type. <br /><br />However, if you want someone who's collaborated and worked with parents all over this district for a decade to improve schools from the grassroots up, Peters is it. She doesn't have the friends in high places like her opponent. Instead she has them in APP, Leschi, Rainier Beach, West Seattle, Pinehurst, North Beach, Salmon Bay, Lowell, Thurgood Marshall, Wedgewood, and on and on. If she loses this race, she'll continue that work, because that's who she is. <br /><br />IMHO, the fault with Peters lies in her ability to see the big picture and all its moving parts, which makes people uncomfortable and feel overwhelmed. With all that's gone on in North End APP it doesn't seem those folks enjoy hearing "wait, slow down, or don't," and who can blame them? But, by looking out for the district as a whole, and not always in the self-interests of North End APP, I have no doubt Peters has often been the unpopular voice in the room. But that's the price that's often paid by those who look at the long-term, beyond their own self-interests and outside the walls of their own schools. People have to constantly be reminded that we're all in this together, and they don't always like it. <br /><br />But, to return to the main point, where are the facts? Things like "I didn't read the e-mails but I saw the tears" or "Peters can stomp on people" are not very persuasive, considering the sources. How about facts? <br /><br />Otherwise, we're electing a School Board member like we'd elect a Prom Queen. Yuck. <br /><br />WSDWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74019326842881570082013-10-15T09:11:03.752-07:002013-10-15T09:11:03.752-07:00Despite all this, I'm more stuck than ever.
T...Despite all this, I'm more stuck than ever.<br /><br />The Estey campaign can step back from this fray and claim this is really personal business between two people. Has nothing to do with the candidate herself. On the 1mm surface, this maybe true. But it stinks.<br /><br />It could be that Peters is thorny and difficult to deal with. You can argue this does not lend to board harmony. BUT neither does Estey's do nothing position! There lies the rub for me. <br /><br />What is the difference in having a proxy opponent to stir up such a distraction than doing it yourself. In the end both styles are bad for Board governance and are just as pernicious and destructive. <br /><br />There is no winner here. Whatever doubts I have are stronger than ever. If you were to make a caricature of these 2 candidates, you get one possible hot head and the other a behind the scene, divisive manipulator. <br /><br />It's just bad all around. Perhaps a write in candidate..... Anyone?<br /><br />ughAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62695599765790847582013-10-15T09:00:53.525-07:002013-10-15T09:00:53.525-07:00Signing Off, tsome reports are just straight-up re...Signing Off, tsome reports are just straight-up reporting and some are going to contain reporting and opinion. That's the nature of a blog. I think it's been pretty clear which is which. <br /><br />I challenge anyone to show me a blog without bias.<br /><br />As well, again, shoot the messenger. I was not the person who wanted this message out in the ether,hoping it would convince people to vote for Dale Estey. Do keep that in mind.<br /><br />I have said, if you can tell me what Peters has done IN HER CAMPAIGN that you don't like, please let us know. I haven't heard a single thing about that.<br /><br />And again, I bookmarked this thread very carefully - it is not about what Bryant did - it is about who Estey surrounds herself with and what they will do in order to help her win.<br /><br />It's called integrity. And asked two questions at the beginning which everyone has ignored. That would be a good discussion.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51710949805631016792013-10-15T08:52:39.524-07:002013-10-15T08:52:39.524-07:00Here come the troll(s)!Here come the troll(s)!Jonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2110407098111456062013-10-15T08:03:31.651-07:002013-10-15T08:03:31.651-07:00ALL of this sickens me from the top down including...ALL of this sickens me from the top down including this blog. Really people really? WOW. Hope my kids aren't in class with yours. Great modeling. <br /><br />-Proud of my modelingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33668247294897495232013-10-15T07:27:56.840-07:002013-10-15T07:27:56.840-07:00It sounds to me like Sue P has no problem stomping...It sounds to me like Sue P has no problem stomping on people, but when it happens to her, she runs straight to the blog to protect her and make her seem like she has done nothing wrong. From reading the posts above, it seems Jean requested information about topics she already knew about. I am curious about the emails between Blum and Peters and what those contained. <br /><br />MindfulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20731058379796513222013-10-15T07:12:01.996-07:002013-10-15T07:12:01.996-07:00Whoever is trying to drum up pity for Rina (as ref...Whoever is trying to drum up pity for Rina (as referenced by skeptic above) should stop now. That woman will play whatever card she has to come out on top, even if she has to walk all over you -or your kid - to do so. She is cold, calculating, and very much her own best friend, as her former friends, acquaintances, and colleagues can attest to. And yes, I absolutely have firsthand knowledge of this. It would not surprise me to find her fingers actively stirring as much trouble up as she can for someone she felt has wronged her or caused her any strife. And now that she has her good buddy Flip in a higher up district admin position, she's got herself in the catbird seat. For now, anyway. You've been warned. <br />Shoreline redux.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70176173625690439352013-10-14T23:51:02.945-07:002013-10-14T23:51:02.945-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73642479715067276272013-10-14T23:50:49.450-07:002013-10-14T23:50:49.450-07:00Signing off,
I respect your position. Rereading ...Signing off,<br /><br />I respect your position. Rereading your post, I see you were posting someone else's words. I shouldn't have attributed the content to you.<br /><br />There were many times that I just plain refused to vote for the names on the ballot. This time however I'm not in that quandary.<br /><br />I hope you will not "Sign off" and will continue advocating. : )mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7600383053573689032013-10-14T23:43:04.015-07:002013-10-14T23:43:04.015-07:00Wow. Sounds like a real cat fight! Sue and Jean,...Wow. Sounds like a real cat fight! Sue and Jean, yikes... Well, they both sound awful! Who has time to do scads and scads of public record requests or spend time and energy excoriating their principal? <br /><br />Looks like the only one to vote for is Estey! No she doesn't need to apologize for anything. What is she supposed to say? "Gee I'm really sorry those 2 got in a catfight." Ridiculous! Just not being one of the others, and not being in APP, is already better, albeit it's hardly an endorsement either.<br /><br />Signing Off 2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84824654655019091962013-10-14T22:46:33.539-07:002013-10-14T22:46:33.539-07:00Mirmac1,
Yes, I realize how funny that sounds. I&...Mirmac1,<br /><br />Yes, I realize how funny that sounds. I'm sorry you didn't understand my ironic tone. The point is, I heard a rumor too...but I don't know first hand and can't publish it as fact. I didn't throw names out there - this blog did. I think it was a poor decision to post this thread. And no, my "source" isn't Jean Bryant. I've never spoken to the woman. I am a truly undecided voter - I am not impressed with either candidate. (Luckily, I don't have to vote for Jean Bryant). I have had one direct interaction with Sue Peters, and found her very passionate, if myopic, and thought she was incapable of seeing any other point of view, which is not a good trait for a board member. She can be incredibly abrasive. Estey I don't like just be her association with her supporters. But I've never met her personally. So there you have it - rock and a hard place. They are both running campaigns that are disgraceful. I know this blog never purported to be unbiased, but this post was over the line and served no purpose but to stir up the mudslinging. <br />-Signing off. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36802293898341853592013-10-14T22:40:33.179-07:002013-10-14T22:40:33.179-07:00For anonymous so your post is not deleted:
To me, ...For anonymous so your post is not deleted:<br />To me, what ruins this race is Estey's PAC, which consists of the same donors, by and large, as those who supported Maier and Sundquist. Those individuals bought 4 seats on the school board to enact their Ed Reform agenda, and we have lived with the consequences ever since, despite turning out 2 of the gang-of-four in the last election. Do we want to go back to a rubber-stamp school board again, carrying forth the agenda of the people who bought the seats on the board? Or do we want the actual community, students and parents being represented on the School Board? <br /><br />It's unfortunate that I can't give Estey the benefit of the doubt, but I made that mistake with Sundquist and Maier, and its obvious when one looks at races around the country that those dollars aren't simply donations, but investments with expected returns. There's no independence or lack of pressure to deliver when the dollar amounts get so high. I'd like to believe that, after surviving MGJ and the gang-of-four, we've learned our lesson. But following the money says "new candidates, same agenda." And I can't go for that.<br /><br />KpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24100424045001035312013-10-14T22:38:19.913-07:002013-10-14T22:38:19.913-07:00Oops! WSDWG Above.Oops! WSDWG Above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31757486490847957512013-10-14T22:37:45.066-07:002013-10-14T22:37:45.066-07:00To me, what ruins this race is Estey's PAC, wh...To me, what ruins this race is Estey's PAC, which consists of the same donors, by and large, as those who supported Maier and Sundquist. Those individuals bought 4 seats on the school board to enact their Ed Reform agenda, and we have lived with the consequences ever since, despite turning out 2 of the gang-of-four in the last election. Do we want to go back to a rubber-stamp school board again, carrying forth the agenda of the people who bought the seats on the board? Or do we want the actual community, students and parents being represented on the School Board? <br /><br />It's unfortunate that I can't give Estey the benefit of the doubt, but I made that mistake with Sundquist and Maier, and its obvious when one looks at races around the country that those dollars aren't simply donations, but investments with expected returns. There's no independence or lack of pressure to deliver when the dollar amounts get so high. I'd like to believe that, after surviving MGJ and the gang-of-four, we've learned our lesson. But following the money says "new candidates, same agenda." And I can't go for that. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com