tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6697641700558333738..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: What is it Going to Take?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71110297513190135442015-03-11T17:17:53.689-07:002015-03-11T17:17:53.689-07:00I've had some communication with folks about t...I've had some communication with folks about this idea and they have reminded me of times when individual board members did try to enforce policies without success. At those times the staff plainly acknowledged that the policies were not followed, but the majority of board members simply didn't care and had no interest in enforcement. The director who did want to enforce the policy quickly discovered that the board had no mechanism for enforcing policy. None. There is no procedure for it at all. There are no steps for them to take. They are left with little more than asking, nicely, for the staff to comply. The staff simply declines.<br /><br />These reminders bring me to the conclusion that it will, in fact, take a majority of board members with an interest in policy enforcement to to do the job. We need four of them.<br /><br />I believe that we currently have two.<br /><br />Four board directors will be elected this year. Get in front of candidates and ask them what they will do to address the culture of lawlessness. Ask them not IF they will enforce policies but HOW they will enforce policies. Tell them about policy 2090 and ask them what they will do. Get it on the record.<br /><br />Lord knows we have had a parade of board candidates who promised to "hold the superintendent and staff accountable" but once elected they quickly abandoned that idea entirely.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38133683611176505162015-03-10T22:55:43.394-07:002015-03-10T22:55:43.394-07:00And I should say that, like with Standardized Test...And I should say that, like with Standardized Testing, the more time and effort we invest into measuring what's been done, the less time we invest in actually getting things done. I don't want to make the same mistake the Ed Reform crowd makes by displacing real progress with all this supposed "accountability measurement." The potential for that always exists when we elevate outcomes over process, even though both are relevant. WSDWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45017840409583342172015-03-10T22:51:46.261-07:002015-03-10T22:51:46.261-07:00I understand the point, Charlie and all, but I thi...I understand the point, Charlie and all, but I think the example given isn't all that persuasive. It reminds me of the 10 year Campaign to End Homelessness. All who breathe know it failed, mostly because it promised the impossible. Yet, try to get anyone to admit it failed, even though the homeless population has increased a third or more in 10 years. You can't. (And please folks, realize I'm not targeting homeless folks here, but rather, the leaders of the failed campaign.) <br /><br />If people can't or won't admit basic facts, what do you expect of their subjective, self-interested judgments on whether they are in compliance or not, whether programs are working or not, whether goals are being met, or not. The homeless example provides a perfect example of how public and private leaders will do anything to avoid admitting the obvious. And given any discretion on the matter? A lost cause. <br /><br />I think the initial problem is that we simply have too many policies to be acted upon or enforced. Too many rules ruins the effectiveness of each and leads to selective enforcement and prosecution (if you will). And that's the problem I've seen in SPS over the years. There is so much they'll never get to, on account of so many promises to do better, the culture of hopelessness, fatalism, forgetfulness, and "we tried our best" is what rules the building. How many times have we heard "I'll get back to you" as an excuse or get-out-of-jail-free card (or away from the podium at least)? And who ever follows up? The virtually unpaid board, during their free time? <br /><br />I dunno Charlie. While I agree with your otherwise valid point, I don't think it does much in the end to harp on it. And I don't mean to let staff off the hook. But I do think policies are taken too lightly, if not ignored, because the current number are impossible and unrealistic to comply with. We need a host of changes to make things better, and I think streamlining policies is the first place to start. <br /><br />WSDWG Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7012916167207108842015-03-10T17:21:47.018-07:002015-03-10T17:21:47.018-07:00Again, I have said - for years - what many say her...Again, I have said - for years - what many say here. <br /><br />What directors should say is <br />"I cannot vote for this item..."<br /><br />because of<br /><br />- does not meet policy requirements<br /><br />or <br /><br />- I have not been given the information that I requested in order to make an informed decision.<br /><br />Period. Then, they vote no.<br /><br />Where is the courage to do that?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88061771896270714442015-03-10T17:11:17.071-07:002015-03-10T17:11:17.071-07:00I'd say give kids time to eat lunch like polic...I'd say give kids time to eat lunch like policy says.Earlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71116346455985973852015-03-10T11:56:31.291-07:002015-03-10T11:56:31.291-07:00I don't know...I think there's some ultima...I don't know...I think there's some ultimate value in continuing to ask for proof of adherence to a specific policy. <br /><br />Politely. Repeatedly.<br /><br /> Sooner or later, someone's going to realize that this particular squeaky wheel isn't going to go away or be pacified by "we're working on it" or whatever the excuses might be.<br /><br />reader47<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5030759458797365762015-03-10T10:00:22.538-07:002015-03-10T10:00:22.538-07:00There are a number of tools that can be used, many...There are a number of tools that can be used, many of which currently sit on the shelf.<br /><br />The biggest ones involve priorities driven by the staff. If the staff have been unresponsive to directives from the board, why should the board approve a separate request from the staff? Make it clear to staff that they don't get any new toys or projects until they've addressed existing problems.<br /><br />Budgets are another place where the board has a lot of power. They could eliminate positions of unresponsive staffers, slash funding to staff priorities, things like that.<br /><br />I also wonder if it is possible to set up new policies and procedures that require board confirmation of other senior level staff appointments/hires.<br /><br />Basically, while it would be nice if we had a system where a board member asks for something and they get it immediately, there are ways to deal with an unresponsive staff even in a situation like we have with SPS. It just requires a board that is willing to make the effective, responsive operation of the district a priority.Greenwoodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75660870684900883602015-03-10T09:42:34.014-07:002015-03-10T09:42:34.014-07:00Yes, it does require a majority of the board to ta...Yes, it does require a majority of the board to take action if a superintendent is not following policy. The actions all ultimately require a majority -- disallowing part of a bonus or firing. Yes, an individual board member could embarrass the super publicly but it would not be team spirited to do so and immediately obvious as a useless gesture.<br /><br />As long as the senior staff and a majority of the board don't feel the policies are worth making a big deal about, they will continue to be unenforced.<br /><br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89637728094746150892015-03-10T09:29:12.525-07:002015-03-10T09:29:12.525-07:00I think one director could make a difference if th...I think one director could make a difference if they were the committee chair, particularly C&I. The chair can tell staff that items will not be passed in committee and on to the full Board until the reports required by X policy are complete. <br /><br />Otherwise, they would be depending on staff having a sense of shame when the director asks in a meeting "We are supposed to have the reports required by policy XXXX annually. How are we to provide proper governance if you don't give us the information we need as required by policy?" Of course, this would be preceded by a collegial request for the past due report or information to complete a report so that nobody can claim they're blindsided by the request. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23174184816028702382015-03-10T09:27:37.966-07:002015-03-10T09:27:37.966-07:00Change is hard. Typically, a step change in organi...Change is hard. Typically, a step change in organizational culture is driven by an external shock that threatens the organization in its current form that forces constituents of the current system to accept change. In the corporate world, examples would be bankruptcy, rise of a significnt competitor, etc.. In the governmental world, it might be war, fiscal crisis, etc.<br /><br />I just don't see our school district changing its culture significantly. Why would it? The bloated adminstration is incented to protect itself. The other stakeholders (parents, students, state and local governments, interest groups) are highly fragmented with differing and often conflicting interests. <br /><br />To drive change in Seattle schools, the following are needed:<br />1. A significant threat to the status quo<br />2. A majority of the stakeholders perceiving the threat as real and significant<br />3. A majority of the stakeholders lining up to support a preferred alternative to the status quo.<br /><br />Even if we could use this thread to identify #1, I think the Seattle community is not prepared for #2 and #3. <br /><br />RealistAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39032108781257717622015-03-10T09:25:11.264-07:002015-03-10T09:25:11.264-07:00I'm not sure it's accurate to say this has...I'm not sure it's accurate to say this has been tried. While it is true that many directors have individually pointed out policies to staff, they don't follow up publicly and repeatedly when nothing is done afterward.<br /><br />I think what Charlie is saying is pick a policy, like 2090, point out that it requires a report that evaluates the degree to which the goals of instructional programs have been accomplished, and then repeatedly and publicly ask for that report, over and over again, rejecting attempts by staff to offer incomplete reports that don't actually do that, again and again, week after week, loudly and publicly.<br /><br />I've never seen a Board member do that. It's not clear why not. It would take a little effort and a willingness to endure a little conflict in order to make the right thing happen, but that's something you would expect a good Board member to be willing to do. And it does seem likely that it would be effective, doesn't it?Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77925798640180047972015-03-10T09:24:25.183-07:002015-03-10T09:24:25.183-07:00"The ccentral office needs to start doing the... "The ccentral office needs to start doing the job of assessing the quality and efficacy of our academic programs"<br /><br />Charlie,<br /><br />The Strategic Plan forsakes popular programs. I wish I had time to find exact language for you. <br /><br />The district's focus is on Common Core and prek.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23597297705327601792015-03-10T08:56:26.209-07:002015-03-10T08:56:26.209-07:00I do see an independent voice or two on the board....I do see an independent voice or two on the board. <br /><br />The resolution to discuss concerns related to ELL, Sp. ed and SBAC, IMO, was an attempt to bring this issue into the public light- and we all know that the district does not address issues.<br /><br />I applaud the director that created the SBAC resolution. It is important to note that the SBAC resolution was created as "Introduction" item only. The board had two weeks to discuss this issue.<br /><br />It will be interesting to follow this issue.<br />Free Speechnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13632320760341198692015-03-10T08:43:06.984-07:002015-03-10T08:43:06.984-07:00There is no reason to believe that the superintend...There is no reason to believe that the superintendent would answer to a single Director. The superintendent answering to a committee is another story.<br /><br />We can also look at the lawlessness related to the legislature throwing too many initiatives at the district. The state requires xx amount of instructional hours, but wants the district to pull kids out of class for xx amount of tests.Sighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66150430001772338852015-03-10T08:38:37.505-07:002015-03-10T08:38:37.505-07:00Good thoughts, Charlie, and we have a prime exampl...Good thoughts, Charlie, and we have a prime example already going.<br /><br />First, however, I'll just point out that MANY directors have individually pointed out policies to senior staff - this is thru the last 10+ years - only to get a shrug from the senior staff AND no follow-up by the Board member (or back-up from other Board members).<br /><br />I can't give a specific policy example now but here's something from the Work Session on Preschool (separate thread to follow).<br /><br />At the end, President Carr, in clear and firm terms, told the City (here represented by CC Burgess and head of Ed Holly Miller) that the portion of the Implementation Plan that included having the district's Enrollment office handle enrollment for any City preschool in SPS buildings would HAVE to be paid for by the City. <br /><br />Director Blanford also echoed this idea, saying that he would get questioned by his constituents about spending on pre-K when his elected duty was K-12. <br /><br />Ms. Miller quickly said, yes, yes, we understand.<br /><br />So I've heard President Carr use this kind of tough language before only to see her crumble/backpedal when the situation then does arise. She only occasionally digs her heels in and says no. (And it's a crapshoot trying to figure out when she will).<br /><br />In short, there is no consistency to when the Board will do what they say they will do.<br /><br />Which brings me to the last Board meeting where Director Martin-Morris expressed unhappiness with the amendment brought before the Board about SBAC. <br /><br />He was fairly huffy about the late timing and that, somehow, it violated the Code of Conduct that they all were voting on. He pretty much called her out and used the dreaded word "governance."<br /><br />I think there were two issues. The motion got to the agenda w/o the authors pre-warning the other Board members. Given that Director Patu - one of the sponsors - had just had her husband die and it was last-minute, I would give Peters and Patu a pass. (They did send an e-mail but it was the night before the meeting.)<br /><br />The other issue is whether they could even do this. Of course they could do it and it has been done before. (It is irritating when Board members conveniently forgot the last time THEY put something on at the last minute.)<br /><br />So Charlie, I think it likely and problematic for one Board member to go it alone. I always say being on the Board is a team sport and your job is to find compromise and consensus. <br /><br />The single person who could make the difference is the superintendent. I think Nyland is a qualified person but all I see him doing is what I would call "surface work" - meaning he's around and visible but it's unclear what is actually getting done. And his "aw shucks" grin is getting old especially when he's talking about serious issues.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4973060622914996872015-03-10T08:21:48.862-07:002015-03-10T08:21:48.862-07:00If I could choose one policy for the district to s...If I could choose one policy for the district to start following it would be policy 2090, Program Evaluation. The ccentral office needs to start doing the job of assessing the quality and efficacy of our academic programs. That should, in fact, be one of their primary roles, but they don't do it at all. Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40028911085224635712015-03-10T07:51:41.462-07:002015-03-10T07:51:41.462-07:00So let's pick one and make an issue of it. A ...So let's pick one and make an issue of it. A coordinated effort/campaign to get the district to enforce one policy could lead to others. Which one?<br /><br />- Squeaky WheelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43525482232498087862015-03-10T06:50:19.482-07:002015-03-10T06:50:19.482-07:00Excellent article, Charlie.Excellent article, Charlie.Gregnoreply@blogger.com