tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8197820592768814975..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Queen Anne Gym Is Sold (and hey, look at that snow!)Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20380891169208069772008-05-29T19:39:00.000-07:002008-05-29T19:39:00.000-07:00Has Lorig received the final Ok for the QA Gym pro...Has Lorig received the final Ok for the QA Gym project, and if so, when is the building to begin?Mike-former QAHS studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02342194853497643081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27575054716052234262008-04-06T11:41:00.000-07:002008-04-06T11:41:00.000-07:00Just to be clear - again - the district didn't BUI...Just to be clear - again - the district didn't BUILD the JSCEE. The money from the bonds was used to remodel/refurbish the building. It originally was the postal distribution facility for, I believe, the Puget Sound area.<BR/><BR/>And since when does a leader have to "a man of the people?" Many effective and accomplished leaders have been from outside the dominant "corporate" culture. "A man of the people" implies that a leader will not in fact be a leader but, rather, a follower that does not have a guiding vision beyond the crowd that backed them for whatever post they hold. Someone like that would be afraid to go against conventional wisdom even when that "wisdom" is flat-out wrong. A good leader often goes against such wisdom because it is the right thing to do. Based on the racist remarks I heard about Raj, even here in the comments (see 4:49 PM), I would have to say that he was a good leader in that he offended many people who think they know what is best for the district and our children.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14341427446081103440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57309312263737580132008-03-30T22:00:00.000-07:002008-03-30T22:00:00.000-07:00When the JSCEE was built, the District committed t...When the JSCEE was built, the District committed to making an annual report every May of the savings the building created. It may have been part of the Board resolution that authorized the loan and construction.<BR/><BR/>As Superintendent, Mr. Olchefske grudingly reported that the building did NOT save more money than it cost in interest expense on the loan to build it (as promised). Mr. Manhas, as Superintendent, never gave the report.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31951418074741835722008-03-30T11:34:00.000-07:002008-03-30T11:34:00.000-07:00How many times did we hear about our superintenden...How many times did we hear about our superintendent's humble beginnings? So what? Did it have any effect on how he responded to school closures? Did the north end schools get what they wanted and the central, south end, and West Seattle building expenses get distributed fairly? He was voted in by the old Board because the old Board's Alliance of Education allies and business friends told them to keep that spending and selling going as it did. He was not exactly what you'd call "a man of the people."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60190509624568989692008-03-30T11:24:00.000-07:002008-03-30T11:24:00.000-07:00from the SPS website:"The Superintendent Raj Manha...from the SPS website:<BR/>"The Superintendent Raj Manhas Scholarship was created by his colleagues upon his retirement to honor the four years he served as Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools (2003-2007). This award reflects Superintendent Manhas' personal and educational background. Mr. Manhas, a native of India, rose from humble beginnings to earn two degrees in engineering. Following his master's degree from the University of Washington, he worked in business, government and education. Hence, students planning to study science or engineering will be given special consideration in the award selection process."<BR/>from Jan 07 Seattle paper:<BR/>"He joined Seattle Public Schools in 2001 as chief operating officer and was appointed superintendent in 2003."<BR/>As COO, he knew this purchase was a financial risk. And selling the old central office building in Queen Anne? The $20 million reserve money is gone now. Surprise, surprise. Let's sell some more neighborhood buildings to nonprofits to turn into charter schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79366566694928553312008-03-30T10:46:00.000-07:002008-03-30T10:46:00.000-07:00Just to be accurate, the headquarters was created ...Just to be accurate, the headquarters was created as an idea of former superintendent, Joseph Olchefske. He seemed to believe consolidating all the district offices would save us money but alas, once again, he was wrong. That building is costing us money.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8915398057242655312008-03-29T23:13:00.000-07:002008-03-29T23:13:00.000-07:00I thought the same thing when I read that. Though...I thought the same thing when I read that. Though I diagreed with many of Mr. Manhas' decisions, I was so ashamed of the ugly epithets that were hurled at him in public when he appeared at public events. The "Raj Mahal" comment is just another example of how far Seattle has to go in regards to racism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17400366263281962762008-03-29T21:55:00.000-07:002008-03-29T21:55:00.000-07:00Raj Mahal at 3rd and Lander?? You are one sick, r...Raj Mahal at 3rd and Lander?? You are one sick, racist S.O.B. You probably think you are sooo progressive, tolerant, and intellectual when, in reality, you are really a bigoted Seattle liberal. How anyone can take you seriously is beyond comprehension.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89192146742996721042008-03-28T16:49:00.000-07:002008-03-28T16:49:00.000-07:00The money can likely be used to help pay down the ...The money can likely be used to help pay down the balance on the Raj Mahal at 3rd and Lander.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43571578864373068992008-03-28T15:32:00.000-07:002008-03-28T15:32:00.000-07:00Just out of curiosity, could the proceeds go into ...Just out of curiosity, could the proceeds go into an endowment fund?<BR/><BR/>Helen SchinskeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com