tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5583431090625732790..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19988067609452646882014-08-20T20:02:18.426-07:002014-08-20T20:02:18.426-07:00re: the district's "investigative report&...re: <i>the district's "investigative report" of staff actions both before and after the Garfield sexual assault incident</i><br /><br />I just read the entire posted document, and it is indeed troubling. But I'm seeing a different "order of blame".<br /><br />At the top of my list is Westering. The trip was his responsibility and it's his signature all over the documents. His excuse is basically that he didn't know what he was doing, but that's no excuse for craps sake. You get paid big bucks to be an AP. Man up and learn what you need to know!<br /><br />Next are the 2 teachers. They were also coordinators of the trip, and they brought their kids, which is expressly forbidden. At least one of them managed to list their kid on the form, the other didn't even do that. If something had happened to that child on the trip, who would have been responsible? For that matter, did all the student permission forms even get filed before the trip? The teachers were <i>on site</i> and let things get out of control The whole thing was <i>terribly</i> managed by the AP and teachers.<br /><br />Next up is Kaiser. What a bunch of bullshit research reports. Of course he's paid by the district (right?), which means he's doing his job to protect the district. But someone independent needs to be reviewing the documents and his reports because they are so slanted it's not funny. At some point attorneys should be held liable for bullshit reporting when it adversely affects students. My guess is this part isn't over, but that's just speculation on my part.<br /><br />Next up is downtown. They didn't really follow through on procedures, gave crappy advice, and once it was clear what happened, they were (and are) probably running the show. If you think anyone in the building has been cleared to do or talk about anything that endangers the district's position, think again.<br /><br />Lastly, I do think Ted Howard can share some blame. I think he could have handled things differently (though I doubt he had a lot of freedom once downtown got involved). Where I think he bears blame is that it seems like there had been lax policies in past years leading up to this event. Frankly, I'm not sure who is responsible (sometimes these things are done with a wink of the boss, sometimes they are done behind the boss's back), but you need to set the tone that rules are to be followed, with consequences if they are not. <br /><br />At the end of the day, <i>someone</i> should bear some responsibility for this! There's room to disagree, but personally, I think Westering should take the fall and the 2 teachers should get serious reprimands in their files. Right now it's not clear that <i>anything</i> is going to happen to <i>anyone</i>, other than the victim, and that's unacceptable.dwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15105474908687256332014-08-20T13:40:25.937-07:002014-08-20T13:40:25.937-07:00"This is how staffers and the City puppetmast..."This is how staffers and the City puppetmasters have tried to insinuate PreK into our district! "<br /><br />I agree, Mirimac. SPS staff needs to advocate for the city to fund preschool. The city will be receiving millions of dollars via initiative, Family and Ed. Levy, Head Start and other sources.<br /><br />It is just silly for district staff to offer funding. Then again, there is a reason Burgess is taking SPS staff to dinner.<br /><br />Transparency Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9365740006443280592014-08-20T09:34:12.006-07:002014-08-20T09:34:12.006-07:00Miramac1, I can't seem to access that document...Miramac1, I can't seem to access that document from the link. Is it set to private?<br /><br />a parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24375893366407234812014-08-19T21:00:12.907-07:002014-08-19T21:00:12.907-07:00Having reviewed the district's "investiga...Having reviewed the district's "investigative report" of staff actions both before and after the Garfield sexual assault incident, I must say I am no longer surprised by some staff's ability to explain away their incompetence and malfeasance. Plus there is no shortage of consultants, attorneys, and investigators who will assist with this delusion.<br /><br />I am appalled by the ***-covering by Ted Howard, and those in a position to protect our students. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/237273216/Response-to-Kaiser-Staff-Investigation-Report" rel="nofollow">Every adult at GHS and JSCEE is blameless.</a>mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17219332098700189652014-08-19T12:28:56.856-07:002014-08-19T12:28:56.856-07:00The Highly Capable Students Program State Grant is...The Highly Capable Students Program State Grant is on the agenda, and a copy of the application is posted. I don't see any mention in the BAR that the district is required to have a HCP policy, which they don't. Rather, staff have checked the box that says they agree with the assurances, even though the assurances clearly state the district must have a policy. Will directors sign off on this application even if they know that's false?<br /><br />Also, does anyone know where to find OSPI's definitions of the types of programs/services provided? I can't find anything. SPS has a lot of things checked, but sometimes the distinctions aren't crystal clear and it's hard to say if all really apply. For example, SPS says GenEd classroom-based services for HC kids include the following, for grades K thru 12:<br /><br />Curriculum Compacting<br />Differentiated Instruction<br />Enrichment<br />Flexible or Cluster Grouping<br />Independent Projects<br />Content Acceleration in General Ed Classroom<br /><br />How many of these things really happen in GenEd, and at which grades? What's an example of the curriculum compacting that occurs in middle or high school classes? <br /><br />For Acceleration Services, there's something checked called "Credit by Examination." That should refer to the ability to test out of a class, to get credit for it without having to actually take it. Do we actually have that, for grades 9-12? Advanced Placement (AP) is also listed for 9-12, but 9th graders are no longer able to take AP classes, are they? <br /><br />Any other areas in the services tables that are "over-checkmarked"?<br /><br />Finally, the application also continues to rely on that tired old description of the program, that it "provides a rigorous, accelerated curriculum in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies" and that the "curriculum is presented at a significantly accelerated learning pace." SPS just eliminated most of the acceleration portion of the program at middle school (all except science) and high school (except IBX), so that description doesn't seem to fit anymore. (And don't you love how they refer to "the curriculum" as if there really is one?! If there is one, why can't anyone at the district office or our school provide any info on it, after months of inquiries?)<br /><br />HIMSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65725662657368459982014-08-18T21:25:57.005-07:002014-08-18T21:25:57.005-07:00"It just lets the staff run amok, with nobody..."It just lets the staff run amok, with nobody 'owning' any decision but yet plenty of decisions will be made."<br /><br />Amen. I like Dr. Nyland but I worry he might just be a placeholder (although his record is quite active including the last year). I don't think he will be as passive as Banda (but, he is the new guy and may defer to other senior management).<br /><br />I'm sure some senior staff see this as a power vacuum (and including Councilman Burgess and others in the City leadership) and may take advantage of it.<br /><br />" Rather like when Banda-where's-Waldo was here."<br /><br />Ha! Laugh of the day.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90630747429113771582014-08-18T20:58:43.948-07:002014-08-18T20:58:43.948-07:00Why are we getting a "temporary interim super...Why are we getting a "temporary <i>interim</i> superintendent" placeholder-bookmark for a <i><b>year?</b></i><br /><br />This district has severe issues going on <b>right now</b>.<br /><br />Remediation od these issues is not best dealt with by a temporary.<br /><br />It just lets the staff run amok, with nobody 'owning' any decision but yet plenty of decisions will be made. Rather like when Banda-where's-Waldo was here.<br /><br />Is anybody going to fix SpEd? Get a real middle school math text adopted? Answer the City about PreK (as in: NO, not here -- you City guys provide it). Fix Wilson Pacific? Deal with critical shortage of high school seats? Disproportionate discipline? The train is heading off the rails NOW. REAL decisions need to happen now. With Mr. Wright, Tolley, and Dr. Herndon, decisions will be made, but expedient ones, or career ones. <br /><br />We will all be here STILL once these guys have cycled through.<br /><br />This district needs a permanent, well-suited, senior leader who is not in it for the $$ or prestige or career climbing notch.<br /><br />1 year is too long to dance with a book mark.<br /><br />Too many things will slide, things that won't be repairable.<br /><br />Signed<br /><br />FrownyfaceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12283848087672117602014-08-18T17:50:20.988-07:002014-08-18T17:50:20.988-07:00I found it interesting that the original wording f...I found it interesting that the original wording for the Board Policy re: School Funding Formula originally included wording to the effect of: "Invest more resources in early learning (PreK-3)"<br /><br />Fortunately, board members pointed out that the District's mission is <b>K</b>-3, and directed staff to reflect this in policy language.<br /><br />This is how staffers and the City puppetmasters have tried to insinuate PreK into our district!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17066145421086228042014-08-18T17:27:57.567-07:002014-08-18T17:27:57.567-07:00The city's prek program is actually prek-3. I...The city's prek program is actually prek-3. It is still worth keeping an eye on this issue.<br /><br />I'd love for nothing more than for the board to distance the Alliance from our schools. I'm thinking that SPS needs to remain a self-governing body. I'm becomingly increasingly concerned about the city and the Alliance's role in policy development.<br /><br />I'll need to read materials related to Alliance, but I'm certain the devil is in the details.Transparency Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32108222853500023772014-08-18T17:14:02.198-07:002014-08-18T17:14:02.198-07:00Regarding the Aug. 20th School Board meeting:
The...Regarding the Aug. 20th School Board meeting:<br /><br />There will be a contingency protesting sexual assault in Seattle Schools. The media will be there, we've been informed. The family of the Garfield rape victim cannot attend because we are trying to protect our privacy despite the District's violations of FERPA by disclosing our name and address in documents dispensed to the public and the media. Retaliation has been an issue from the moment the assault was reported, and it should have been promptly pre-empted by the School District under Title IX laws. It was not, and this is one facet of the investigation of the Seattle District by the US Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights <br /><br />We also wish to remain anonymous in service of other victims/students without calling attention to selves. We are working 24.7 around the clock to Stop Sexual Assault in High School.<br /><br />--Parents of the VictimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6680068793094413582014-08-18T16:09:39.934-07:002014-08-18T16:09:39.934-07:00I'm thinking that the Alliance MOU re-write is...I'm thinking that the Alliance MOU re-write is to wait until after the Pre-school vote and then they have some role in Pre-K "alignment" or some such thing. <br /><br />Also echo the concern around the language of that contract. When did SPS become beholden to the business community? When did SPS stop being a public institution where the business community sets the goals and agenda?<br /><br />Oh wait, I know. It was when corporations and the uber wealthy got really good at avoiding their taxes so that the state can't actually meet their paramount duty to fund education, and instead they direct the funds into foundations that pick pet projects like Pre-k and South Shore elementary with its 15 kid classrooms to make them look like education saviors...<br /><br />ugh. This is disturbing. Is anyone on the board noticing that someone has been working preschool into EVERYTHING that the district is working on? <br /><br />readbetweenthelinesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19134534003154213052014-08-18T15:18:38.867-07:002014-08-18T15:18:38.867-07:00The way I read it this is the same as Banda cost t...The way I read it this is the same as Banda cost the district. It looks alot but that is skewed since he receives no benefits and gets paid for 206 days per year.ConcernedSPSParenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15225940383725947861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38122275973667275092014-08-18T14:55:43.142-07:002014-08-18T14:55:43.142-07:00$399,726.00 a year. You have got to be kidding me....$399,726.00 a year. You have got to be kidding me. The job is worth $175K<br />a year max.<br /><br />Stop stealingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41898453486439646732014-08-18T13:17:26.005-07:002014-08-18T13:17:26.005-07:00"There is also the contract item for Dr. Nyla..."There is also the contract item for Dr. Nyland. It is interesting because Dr. Nyland is asking to be paid a daily rate for actual days worked, rather than salary plus benefits.That daily rate is $1,537.41. "<br /><br />Staggering number.Watchingnoreply@blogger.com