tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post328279312187975814..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Lowell at Lowell's Principal ResignsMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12389970558664886702012-02-09T13:14:48.775-08:002012-02-09T13:14:48.775-08:00I asked him directly if he was doing the Broad sup...I asked him directly if he was doing the Broad supt. training and he said no. I believe he said he was doing it through UW. I heard he was being mentored by Goodloe-Johnson. He was gone from the school most Fridays last year --possibly pulled into mandatory principal training by MGJ, I'm not sure. I second earlier comments about how good he was the first year after the split -- respectful of staff, helping to knit together two schools under one roof, good with all the kids, etc. But the following year, under his rule, turned into a nightmare for many.<br /><br />What was in that MGJ or UW Kool-Aid? Perhaps an overdose of ambition and an underdose of empathy?<br /><br />Alas.suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29843716620191568892012-02-09T13:05:16.694-08:002012-02-09T13:05:16.694-08:00A very reliable source has indicated that Mr. King...A very reliable source has indicated that Mr. King may be staying in Seattle - he has reportedly withdrawn his application in Tacoma. I can't tell you how much your commentary herein has been helpful, not to mention the media coverage. I do hope Mr. King is exonerated in the investigation, but to hire him beforehand would be unwise. Sorry, Seattle!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90523656683645766472012-02-09T12:57:28.763-08:002012-02-09T12:57:28.763-08:00Very well done, DW.
The district won't shut ...Very well done, DW. <br /><br />The district won't shut about "the data." Well, you live by the data and you die by it.<br /><br />I've read a lot of other climate surveys, but wow, those are some shockingly low numbers.ontheflynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7114711200045224342012-02-09T12:50:41.675-08:002012-02-09T12:50:41.675-08:00Y'know what Happy Teacher? You're full of...Y'know what Happy Teacher? You're full of it. YOU might be happy, but the vast majority of your building was NOT happy last year. Period, end of story. There were several who were unaffected directly, but still not pleased with what was going on around them. And there were far more than 2 disgruntled people involved. If I had to guess, I think it's more like 7 (?) staff members that actually left because of Greg, and there were 2 or 3 more that I know of personally who were barely hanging on by a thread. That's out of control. Of all of them, only one was a good candidate for a nudge out. <br /><br />Readers, stop and think about how far you'd have to be pushed to up and leave your job.<br /><br />A principal is supposed to be a leader, a mentor, an advocate, not a dictator. <br /><br />Just so other readers here don't believe AHT's BS about just a couple "disgruntled" blog readers, let's take a look at last year's Building Climate Survey and see how the staff felt about leadership. And let's compare with the previous year just for good measure.<br /><br />Conflict among staff is resolved in a timely and effective manner.<br />49% -> 16% (only 9 of 56 staff)<br /><br />The staff has an effective process for making group decisions and solving problems.<br />37% -> 16%<br /><br />The principal sets high standards for teaching practice.<br />76% -> 56%<br /><br />The principal encourages and supports open communication.<br />83% -> 29% ( a drop of 54%! )<br /><br />The principal is an effective manager of school operations.<br />74% -> 35%<br /><br />When 2/3 of your staff feels you are not effectively managing your school, it's not just a couple bad eggs. And you know things have gone completely out of control when there's conflict over the handling of a building climate report. <br /><br />I don't know what happened to Greg between years one and two, but it wasn't good. All the respect I had for him during the first year (plenty, believe me) more than disappeared during the second year. The report is sure to clear up a lot of misconceptions on all sides, I hope it's published soon so we can get the facts.dwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17977563096239126012012-02-09T09:22:21.796-08:002012-02-09T09:22:21.796-08:00I've been through five principals at the schoo...I've been through five principals at the school I've been at for nearly two decades and their behavior all seems to fit a pattern which is probably true of most people... They were all lovely the first year and tried not to rock the boat. By the second year you started to see a few things crop up that you tried to be generous about and cut them slack. By the third year, they showed who they really were. <br /><br />With one principal, that was okay since they generally were a decent person. With the others, you just tried to hide in your classoom and keep your head down until they screwed up bad enough to be disappeared by the district.<br /><br />But I think Jon is right... something dark and ugly happened to people at MGJ's "principal training." I can't prove it, but I believe principals were told to find at least two people in their building and fire them. It didn't matter if it was justified or not... just find the weakest and the oldest and cull the herd. <br /><br />It makes them look tough and competent when they do that and it serves to scare the other monkeys into behaving.<br /><br />It is an ugly thing to see teachers who have worked so hard for the company for 25-plus years harassed and brow beaten into early retirement because of a quota.JohnnyPaychecknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80852962303986621462012-02-09T09:14:49.330-08:002012-02-09T09:14:49.330-08:00I wonder if Principal King went through the UW Dan...I wonder if Principal King went through the UW Danforth Educational Leadership program. Our former principal went through that and came out full of it. I don't know what they teach them there, but collaboration, listening, consensus building doesn't seem to be a strong WORKING point, just strong "talking" point. <br /><br />living in babblesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67882001600412889652012-02-09T09:05:30.845-08:002012-02-09T09:05:30.845-08:00dw's comment about "a Jekyll-Hyde thing&q...dw's comment about "a Jekyll-Hyde thing" resonates with my experience with Greg King. He was great the first year, then took superintendent training and came back with an authoritarian and uncompromising management style that did not serve him well and repulsed all around him.<br /><br />I wonder if that is the style of leadership they teach at superintendent training, that to be a leader is to listen to no one and make rapid decisions to create the appearance of control, and how well that ends up working out for want-to-be executives that complete that training. It certainly did not work out well for Greg King.Jonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89406636173571919872012-02-09T08:59:00.449-08:002012-02-09T08:59:00.449-08:00Tacoma News Tribune:
New Tacoma principal came fro...Tacoma News Tribune:<br /><a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/09/2018511/new-principal-came-from-school.html" rel="nofollow">New Tacoma principal came from school under investigation</a><br /><br />A new principal named to lead Tacoma’s Bryant Montessori School comes from a Seattle school that is under investigation by the Seattle School District, according to The Seattle Times.<br /><br />Tacoma Public Schools announced Wednesday that Gregory King will become the new principal at Bryant Montessori in Tacoma later this month. He has been principal at Lowell Elementary in Seattle since 2009.<br /><br />The Times reported Wednesday that “personnel conflicts” at Lowell are the subject of a forthcoming report by a special investigator employed by Seattle Public Schools.<br /><br />The newspaper quoted King’s message to parents at his Seattle school: “I am leaving because it is in my best interest for professional and personal financial growth as a principal and future leader.”<br /><br />Tacoma Education Association President Andy Coons told The News Tribune Wednesday that he was contacted by Tacoma teachers who were concerned after reading the Times article. He’s said he’s been assured that the Tacoma School Board will look into those concerns.<br /><br />Bryant has had its own share of conflict. Parents with kids at the school complained to the School Board and to The News Tribune about disagreements that pitted some parents and teachers against Bryant’s former principal, Claudia Mason. She resigned earlier in the school year.<br /><br />Connie Wick, a retired Tacoma principal, has been interim principal since December.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5000229566149795292012-02-09T07:57:26.206-08:002012-02-09T07:57:26.206-08:00Again, no name-calling. I will start deleting com...Again, no name-calling. I will start deleting comments, whether you have a name or not, if this continues.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46780765288512838532012-02-09T07:50:08.900-08:002012-02-09T07:50:08.900-08:00Charlie, per-pupil spending at Madrona is higher a...Charlie, per-pupil spending at Madrona is higher and average class sizes are smaller than at McGilvra, according to the district's figures for each school.djhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720927162286657378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43111657619632112662012-02-09T07:49:13.544-08:002012-02-09T07:49:13.544-08:00Hey Charlie,
That's a great idea. You forg...Hey Charlie, <br /><br />That's a great idea. You forgot to have the schools across town from each other, though. Maybe we could pair up John Hay and Madrona. You want to make sure that there's no way parents will drive across town for "all school" events.<br /><br />There's a reason that both schools decided to separate quickly. It could never work.<br /><br />-apparentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51934159531996724232012-02-09T07:06:16.645-08:002012-02-09T07:06:16.645-08:00Maybe observer has the kernel of a good idea. Mayb...Maybe observer has the kernel of a good idea. Maybe all PTAs should be two school organizations. Instead of two PTAs, one for McGilvra and one for Madrona, there should be just one organization for both schools.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61565535912615414362012-02-09T02:31:53.010-08:002012-02-09T02:31:53.010-08:00Observer, technically everything you say is true, ...Observer, technically everything you say is true, but be careful how you tint it.<br /><br />you said: <i>Despite early promises that there'd be one PTA serving both schools, the APP folks split off early and formed their own PTA, and took most of the money and fundraising capacity with them.</i><br /><br />I can't be 100% sure of your intent, but it sounds like you're painting the L@L folks as self-serving. Lowell North parents were actually debating at the beginning of the year whether or not to split PTAs. As it turned out, Lowell CapHill wanted to split as soon as it was feasible, so at the end of the day both parties decided it was for the best. Lowell CapHill wanted the freedom to allocate their funds as they saw fit without having to coordinate or "get permission" from folks at L@L (who made up most of the combined PTA board and members). Make sense?<br /><br />Yes, most of the fundraising capacity did move north, but they chose to divide previously raised funds on a per-student basis regardless of who/how it was raised, to leave a good chunk with the CapHill PTA. I don't know exactly how those numbers turned out, but it seemed like a pretty fair plan when I saw it.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68045171935130338222012-02-08T23:22:32.371-08:002012-02-08T23:22:32.371-08:00Churchill... you drunken anti-semite... why are yo...Churchill... you drunken anti-semite... why are you defending Hitler?<br /><br />Also, stop misinterpreting my law to make ad hominem attacks on those who may actually be making appropriate and just comparisons not to Hitler, but to the unquestioning attitude of those who were his favorites.Mike Godwinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86305947987826104162012-02-08T23:12:54.605-08:002012-02-08T23:12:54.605-08:00When it comes to funding questions, you need to re...When it comes to funding questions, you need to remember that Lowell has two separate PTAs this year, one for each site.<br /><br />Despite early promises that there'd be one PTA serving both schools, the APP folks split off early and formed their own PTA, and took most of the money and fundraising capacity with them.<br /><br />I hear that the APP PTA has raised more than $125,000 ths year. The PTA for the gen ed and special ed programs has raised less than $10,000. The money stays at each site.<br /><br />- ObserverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73865076460513067232012-02-08T23:02:52.533-08:002012-02-08T23:02:52.533-08:00abracadabra --
(whoops -- I left out the word &qu...abracadabra --<br /><br />(whoops -- I left out the word "district.")<br /><br />You may be right, but if memory serves,the board had to vote on RIFing counselors last year, and they voted yea.<br /><br />Now it's possible that funding was cut and the PTA was called to pay the difference and didn't have enough to pay for all positions.<br /><br />I recall being told that the school had to choose between a librarian, a counselor or a math specialist. I don't know how exactly it happened, but the counselor lost out.<br /><br />Maybe you know more details about how that choice was made. It's true the counselor had the most seniority of the three. <br /><br />The main point I think we both agree on, though, remains that an unusual number of teachers left or were squeezed out of Lowell last year, and the atmosphere and leadership played a part in most of that attrition.<br /><br />And no, AHT, this is not a "smear campaign."suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52284287712180080942012-02-08T21:56:16.581-08:002012-02-08T21:56:16.581-08:00Amazing how two disgruntled people (who needed to ...Amazing how two disgruntled people (who needed to go) can run an anonymous smear campaign through a blog. I hope Tacoma values the gem they got.<br /><br />AHT - A Happy Lowell TeacherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43862754796600701822012-02-08T21:53:45.804-08:002012-02-08T21:53:45.804-08:00I posted some of this on another thread, but more ...I posted some of this on another thread, but more appropriate here.<br /><br />The sad thing is Greg King came in as such a strong candidate for many reasons. He was part of the TT Minor move and had good ties with those students and families. He had two kids who were in APP, so he understands those kids as well. He was energetic and communicative. The first year he seemed to be on track to be a great principal - no small feat for a building with both APP and GenEd. Then his second year comes and BAM, he does a Jekyll-Hyde thing. <br /><br />I've actually lost track of how many teachers and support staff he singlehandedly chased out of the building. Very clearly because of him, specifically.<br /><br />Sometimes change is needed. Sometimes teachers are not effective and they need a nudge. But in this case the vast majority of staff driven away were strong and highly valued. The morale in the building last year was abysmal, and it was obvious to anyone who spent any time in the building. The whole thing was so painful.<br /><br />So what happened to Greg? Anyone think it's a coincidence he took "superintendent training" that year?dwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52297071127457257952012-02-08T21:48:36.119-08:002012-02-08T21:48:36.119-08:00Its funny that someone chooses the nom de plume W ...Its funny that someone chooses the nom de plume W Churchill, to make a comment on someone else likening a comment to Nazi spin....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55026498510665762892012-02-08T21:43:43.743-08:002012-02-08T21:43:43.743-08:00Re-posted from anonymous (who will get deleted):
...Re-posted from anonymous (who will get deleted):<br /><br />Godwin's Law<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law<br /><br />But seriously J. Goebbels. Someone posts an opposing viewpoint and you make a Nazi Germany reference? The level of discourse in the comments section of this blog can is a sad representation of the narrow minds of some on here. <br /><br />WV says "rants" and I agreeW.Churchillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28272692567267784292012-02-08T21:31:33.053-08:002012-02-08T21:31:33.053-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43551632938408289772012-02-08T20:58:26.431-08:002012-02-08T20:58:26.431-08:00suep, central funding was cut for counselors 2 yea...suep, central funding was cut for counselors 2 years ago. It was up to schools to fund counselors from that point on. Lowell had done this in the past (including last school year) and raises plenty of funds to do so again. Plus its a community with a history of valuing counselors. Why suddenly the cut?<br /><br />abracadabraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32303254408787477962012-02-08T20:57:34.498-08:002012-02-08T20:57:34.498-08:00Our experience was that of a fuhrer that cared abo...Our experience was that of a fuhrer that cared about his staff and had high performance standards. That's the story I know.<br /><br />Josef Goebbels<br /><br />P.S. And I'm sticking with it.J. Goebbelsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20653065222853688692012-02-08T20:40:27.305-08:002012-02-08T20:40:27.305-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77256309610315013792012-02-08T20:26:43.918-08:002012-02-08T20:26:43.918-08:00abra -- No, the decided to cut school counselors i...abra -- No, the decided to cut school counselors in many schools last year.suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.com