tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5453044558215860435..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Termination vote going on the Board agendaMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36326827765342456512011-03-02T18:57:17.474-08:002011-03-02T18:57:17.474-08:00Dorothy
I will make those documents available to ...Dorothy<br /><br />I will make those documents available to Melissa and she can send them to you.<br /><br />Just can't go "public" as administration is desperate enough to harm me and my family unless I keep "covered." <br /><br />Hope you understand.Trapped insidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-663276706475170852011-03-02T16:29:55.356-08:002011-03-02T16:29:55.356-08:00Given the top-down hierarchy at SPS, it is difficu...Given the top-down hierarchy at SPS, it is difficult to know which of Dr. Enfield's statements and actions were from Dr. Enfield and which were from Dr. Goodloe-Johnson and spoken through Dr. Enfield.<br /><br />I have seen Dr. Enfield at the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meetings speak in strong support for alternative education and I believe that the whole "innovation school" compromise was her invention. It is a very clever compromise; one that found a fertile crack in the curricular alignment wall. You may think it a weak effort, but that was an administration that did not tolerate anything that even resembled dissent. You should have heard Cathy Thompson talking about the need for wall-to-wall standardization in those meetings just a few months before.<br /><br />On the other side, I think Dr. Enfield is antagonistic towards APP - and probably Spectrum as well.<br /><br />One other thing. I spoke with Dr. Enfield about the high priority that the District should put on providing early and effective interventions to all students - K-12 - working below grade level, and she agreed with an inspiring conviction.<br /><br />I don't think that Dr. Enfield, with the title of <b>interim</b> superintendent, is going to feel like she has license to institute sweeping reforms.<br /><br />Nor do I think that Dr. Enfield has the skill set to be the superintendent, which is more of an administrative job than an academic one. The Superintendent needs to be an effective executive, not an effective educator.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56592281874550189232011-03-02T13:05:28.672-08:002011-03-02T13:05:28.672-08:00GROSS PAY - $125,000
Superintendent MGJ relied on ...GROSS PAY - $125,000<br />Superintendent MGJ relied on Holly Ferguson to write and revise all Board Policies. <br />Small Business Works was a stale board policy that Holly Ferguson needed to revise. <br />Holly Ferguson did not do her job. <br /><br />GROSS PAY - $110,000<br />Second: Superintendent MGJ relied on Roy (Ronic) Lirio to clean up financial records. Ronic failed in his job and he was rewarded with a new job that whose title was obscure at best - Strategic Management Manager. Ronic should have reviewed the role of the Small Works, but did not. Ronic did not do his job. <br /><br />GROSS PAY $130,000<br />John Harman Duggan was expected to provide reliable financial statements. To this day, Seattle Schools does not have a set of reliable financial statements. John Harman Duggan did not do his job. <br /><br />(These numbers are close estimates and maybe more if you includeded benefits. )Sandy Blightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70104496567849448932011-03-02T09:55:36.778-08:002011-03-02T09:55:36.778-08:00@Melissa: I'm sorry that I don't have it ...@Melissa: I'm sorry that I don't have it in me to contribute here to the degree that others do (you know who you are). They deserve the real kudos.<br /><br />That said, I'm glad when I can offer something meaningful and provide the occasional snarky comic relief.ArchStantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746480698492983438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83610355677997111622011-03-02T09:27:47.014-08:002011-03-02T09:27:47.014-08:00I actually had planned to go to the LEV/Wendy Kopp...I actually had planned to go to the <a href="http://www.educationvoters.org/2011/02/28/congrats-to-our-wendy-kopp-book-winners/" rel="nofollow">LEV/Wendy Kopp </a> talk tonight. I still think it would be interesting to watch the faces of the true believers, but now I feel like I have to go watch the MGJ drama play out. Is anyone planning to go see Kopp talk about TFA? Can you report back?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13233927517822543482011-03-02T09:24:16.446-08:002011-03-02T09:24:16.446-08:00Told my brother in Atlanta the woes of SPS, and he...Told my brother in Atlanta the woes of SPS, and here is his reply, complete with a catchy phrase we might use here:<br /><br />We're having problems here, too. It's mainly the School Board itself that is the problem, and now many yards have signs saying "Atlanta School Board:<br />Step UP or Stand DOWN".all sorts of errorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16309937760486597714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17189996012915947592011-03-02T09:23:40.102-08:002011-03-02T09:23:40.102-08:00Told my brother in Atlanta the woes of SPS, and he...Told my brother in Atlanta the woes of SPS, and here is his reply, complete with a catchy phrase we might use here:<br /><br />We're having problems here, too. It's mainly the School Board itself that is the problem, and now many yards have signs saying "Atlanta School Board:<br />Step UP or Stand DOWN".all sorts of errorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16309937760486597714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75245213448877572432011-03-02T09:14:19.334-08:002011-03-02T09:14:19.334-08:00Again, I truly appreciate some of sly asides here ...Again, I truly appreciate some of sly asides here (Bird, I'm talking to you - a bar with the School Board meeting on!). Arch, we've missed you. <br /><br />A little laughter keeps you sane.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73448782672863502252011-03-02T09:01:54.033-08:002011-03-02T09:01:54.033-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16331230960697317002011-03-02T08:39:41.508-08:002011-03-02T08:39:41.508-08:00I don't have cable TV. Where's the bar I ...I don't have cable TV. Where's the bar I can go to watch the termination in action. ;)Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540428343439198125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33779692211015160062011-03-02T08:24:35.045-08:002011-03-02T08:24:35.045-08:00Taking her to court would have meant keeping the s...Taking her to court would have meant keeping the scandal fresh and in the public eye all Fall as we vote for the Families and Ed levy. I bet the city council and mayor would very much not like that. Bad for the future of family support workers, after school enrichment, teen health centers and targeted support for students. <br /><br />Trapped Inside, I would love to see those supporting documents. My email address is in my blogger profile. <br /><br />Enfield made sense as an interim, it would have been challenging to overlook her obvious next in line position and go for someone else. I am hoping we can work with her to slow down the chaos. As interim, her job will be to restore order. Her career could be made or broken on this gig. If she does manage to slow down the chaos and restore teacher and parent support she will be very attractive candidate as super for another city. <br /><br />And yes, if I were in her shoes, the very first thing I would do is find someone with utmost integrity and experience as a business manager, CFO.Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15530121262469352262011-03-02T07:55:28.532-08:002011-03-02T07:55:28.532-08:00Well said Jan!Well said <b>Jan</b>!Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53547597888463743922011-03-02T07:51:51.090-08:002011-03-02T07:51:51.090-08:00Enfield=business as usual.
Change we CAN'T be...Enfield=business as usual.<br /><br />Change we CAN'T believe in.Trapped insidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62120229415200819592011-03-02T07:46:14.345-08:002011-03-02T07:46:14.345-08:00First, I love the John Shaft references.
Second...First, I love the John Shaft references. <br /><br />Second, yes, MGJ was picked. One person left out of the three and it was her and a guy I liked from Philadelphia. <br /><br />Third, I agree the district has gone to court with less but maybe better to get her gone. We all know (and she knows) she should have resigned and not done this to our district. She knows she's taking dollars out of the classroom.<br /><br />As Maya Angelou said, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them." We know her for who she is and I'm thinking it will follow her wherever she goes. Good luck with that next job.<br /><br />I like that Phil Brockman as CAO and dropping his job. <br /><br />We do have to have an interim and no, there usually isn't discussion over who the Board chooses. I'm okay with this. <br /><br />Dr. Enfield can apply for the permanent job if she wants to when it becomes advertised.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28168638444800988082011-03-02T07:19:56.971-08:002011-03-02T07:19:56.971-08:00Interesting that the Urban League is hiring Cathy ...Interesting that the Urban League is hiring Cathy Allen to do publicity and image shaping for them. She certainly has experience.....when SHE WAS FIRED BY KENDRICK (actually General Counsel Mike Hoge delivered the notice then went to work for the firm that did most of the District's legal work) FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF UNAPPROVED PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS, she probably learned a lot.<br /><br />Her contracts were to pitch levies to voters and make the then SSD Facilities Director (Craig Donald) over into a candidate for office (with District funds). It was a scandal but hey, how quickly we forget.<br /><br />Somebody should ask her about that whole thing.<br /><br />Copies of supporting documents can be made available to this blog upon request.<br /><br />Go back to Alaska Cathy, they have probably forgotten your scandalous behavior there by now also.Trapped insidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2254443390609792272011-03-02T00:31:19.996-08:002011-03-02T00:31:19.996-08:00I agree with Charlie. We need a Superintendent. ...I agree with Charlie. We need a Superintendent. Now. Personally, I know of some behind the scenes efforts by Enfield to restore Garfield's curriculum, etc. that make me want to give her some time to get some work done. I don't think that tarring her with actions under MGJ's regime is a fair statement of anything.<br /><br />That being said, I doubt if I will like everything she likes. but that is not my criteria right now. I assume that contract would not be there if she hadn't been asked, and agreed, to step in. While she will be well compensated, this may NOT in fact be a job that thrills her to her toes, and she may be doing it because some body has to step up, and the Board trusts her more than others.<br /><br />She is NOT a Broad Superintendent. I have never gotten the sense that she is only here for a short resume burnishing whistle stop on her way to much more important ed reform jobs in DC or NYC. Nothing I have ever seen in her suggests that she would charge a $7,000 retirement party with $100 party favors, live music and a carving station to the District's account, or spend the entire board meeting twiddling on her Blackberry. <br /><br />I am thankful beyond words that the Board removed the offensive language that the prior Stepford board allowed in MGJ's contract. If the Board is willing to back her up in straightening out District management, cleaning house, etc. I think a reasonable interim superintendency could happen. If they don't push for it -- and back her up by getting her resources to get it done, well then -- there is not much likelihood that secretly, hiding within Enfield, is a non-profit corporate turnaround expert. They are a fairly rare breed, though I suspect that there are some out there who would fit this task to a T, if we just knew who they were.<br /><br />MGJ leaves behind an absolute cesspool. It will take a LONG time (even longer with no money) to dig out. If we start carping because she has mud on her shoes, and her fingernails are dirty -- it isn't fair to her. <br /><br />Lots of people thought Kay Smith-Blum would not be a good director, based on whatever -- her background, her wealth, I don't know. I would hazard a guess that while she still needs a boat to cross water, she has exceeded the expectations of many, as has Betty Pat simply by showing up and doing their best. Let's hope the same for our new Superintendent.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78273750221214250752011-03-01T23:04:21.888-08:002011-03-01T23:04:21.888-08:00@Michael H, back a few posts, sez:
"@Josh: &...@Michael H, back a few posts, sez:<br /><br /><i>"@Josh: "it's baffling that they aren't at least considering termination for cause"<br /><br />You don't know if they didn't consider it. That's what executive sessions are for...." </i> [snip]<br /><br />You're absolutely right, and I was shooting off my mouth without thinking first. Often a very bad idea. My concern was about throwing good money after bad, but it appears SPS will have to pony up some money either way, so whichever is cleanest and neatest is the way to go.<br /><br />I have to wonder, though, how attractive the job of Supe of SPS is: would someone effective want to come in after this mess?Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7902655700790320122011-03-01T22:47:07.961-08:002011-03-01T22:47:07.961-08:00Yeah, I'm starting to feel the "let her s...Yeah, I'm starting to feel the "let her stew" vibe. If the board has enough to can MGJ and Kennedy today, why not take a deep breath, put on your poker face, and see what other goodies come out of the woodwork? I think we all have a feeling the show's just beginning. <br />They might not think they have cause today, but wait a week...Herbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18816002845840705752011-03-01T22:42:16.027-08:002011-03-01T22:42:16.027-08:00Remember, it's not too late to join the hundre...Remember, it's not too late to join the hundreds of others who have expressed their disgruntlement by signing this no-confidence/dump MGJ petition:<br /><br />http://www.petitiononline.com/NC_MGJ/petition.htmlmirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67277284132041479172011-03-01T22:33:06.388-08:002011-03-01T22:33:06.388-08:00A couple answers to a couple questions.
1. Why no...A couple answers to a couple questions.<br /><br />1. Why not have her drive a bus or carry trash or...<br /><br />Her contract is to serve as the superintendent of the district and it cannot be used to assign her any other role.<br /><br />2. Do we need an interim superintendent?<br /><br />Yes, we do. The role of district superintendent cannot go un-filled. The superintendent has legal responsibilities as the secretary of the Board and the Board cannot meet without a superintendent.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10346637626249856782011-03-01T22:29:08.746-08:002011-03-01T22:29:08.746-08:00It would be great if the board could learn (from p...It would be great if the board could learn (from past experience) NEVER to give the interim person the permanent job. It just doesn't bode well. Olchefski. Manhas. Need I say more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23835188126220663702011-03-01T22:28:54.994-08:002011-03-01T22:28:54.994-08:00I dont know why they need an interim super right a...I dont know why they need an interim super right away either....<br /><br />why cant they just have someone sit in the seat, make sure the bills are paid and the lights are turned out each night while everyone takes a deep breath and thinks things through....<br /><br />There's nothing so urgent on the boiler that it cant wait a couple of weeks...<br /><br />So what if enrolment etc gets pushed back a bit? Its not as though we havent been living with total confusion for the past three years - a bit longer wont make a difference....<br /><br />Besides, all of those changes should be held over until someone looks them over too... everything done under MGJ's watch should be reviewed, amended, rewound or scrapped altogether... <br /><br />And De Bell has already stated publicly that he thinks the Strategic Plan should be put on hold, if not scrapped altogether...<br /><br />Aside from firing MGJ, DK and anyone else that ends up being identified as having been involved in shady doings, the Board needs to take its time, and not cave to any pressure from within or without to get a move on to make it seem less bad....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59403885660501658902011-03-01T22:24:44.619-08:002011-03-01T22:24:44.619-08:00Good question enquiring mind. Will Enfield even wa...Good question enquiring mind. Will Enfield even want the job? Interim super does not offer much stability. She may be offered the permanent position, but she could just as easily be let go if/when they find someone else. Then what? Does she go back to her old position of CAO, or is she toast. If I were her I might opt to refuse the interim super position, and stay in my comfy and stable CAO position.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3284764511223593402011-03-01T22:22:12.068-08:002011-03-01T22:22:12.068-08:00Let's keep our eyes on the prize. Getting rid...Let's keep our eyes on the prize. Getting rid of MGJ is only one small problem. The downtown offices need to be gutted. That place is rife with indifference, incompetence, and sloth. It's run like the stereotypic DMV office where bureaucrats look down their noses at you like you're bothering them. <br /><br /> And, try to get a paycheck corrected and you are looking at a three month ordeal.<br /><br />They lose documentation of teacher continuing education with wonton zeal.<br /><br />The technical staff in the maintenance department will find any excuse not to make a simple repair. I saw one electrician walk by an arcing light switch saying he did not have a work order to fix it.<br /><br />Lunches can run up to two hours.<br /><br />Personal business is done on the public's time.<br /><br />The computer databases are in shambles.<br /><br />Need I go on...it's a nightmare in there!<br /><br />Remember folks, the real prize in a complete overhaul of the main office, not just re-roofing the building.<br /><br />- Be here nowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37108769727030193252011-03-01T22:21:19.233-08:002011-03-01T22:21:19.233-08:00Will there be public input at the board meeting to...<i>Will there be public input at the board meeting tomorrow or not?</i><br /><br />I hope and pray that they don't cancel the public testimony portion. That's going to be the best show in town tomorrow. <br /><br />Besides, they should all "man up" - er, have the fortitude to take their medicine. They're going to have to get used to hearing "we told you so" over and over until the next board elections.ArchStantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746480698492983438noreply@blogger.com