Seattle Schools Community Forum

 Just throwing this up quickly. One item on the agenda that was a bit of a mystery was the BAR called Education Program Reduction per Board Policy 0060. Basically it's a resolution by the Board when there are significant financial issues in the district and that the Board okays certain measures. Below is the important part: NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Seattle School Board of Directors directs the Superintendent to present a plan for balancing the budget for 2025-26 with the goal of transitioning to sustainable financial plans that aligns general fund expenditures with reasonably anticipated revenues in compliance with Board Policy No. 0060; 1. The Superintendent is directed to prioritize on-going solutions in the development of the preliminary budget proposals for 2025-26 fiscal year; 2. These proposals may include some or all of the following on-going solutions:  • Operational savings from the transition to a system of Well-Resourced Schools • Transportation changes

Again, from Kellie LaRue who know this history backwards and forwards.  Hi all, I have gotten a lot of questions off-line, so I am writing my own wee FAQ to answer some of the most popular. Thank you Mel for sharing. Assignment Plan The Assignment Plan is HOW a district decides to place students inside a school community. Essentially, school districts have a wide latitude in how they do assignment. There are some state laws that guide this process. The bottom line is that all districts must have an official assignment plan, that is board approved and published publicly. Every year the school board votes on the assignment plan for the subsequent year.  The New Student Assignment Plan (NSAP) or the current assignment plan started in 2012 and converted Seattle's Assignment plan to be attendance area based plan. Previously, the Assignment plan was 100% choice. The 100% choice plan, were 100% of students needed to choose a school was implemented about 1992. (Someone correct me if you h

 Just to say, I came in late to the Audit Committee and holy smokes! There are a lot of serious and concerned faces! And much hemming and hawing from the Superintendent. I'm still listening in so more to come.   There are 141 people signed up for the Speaker List for the Board meeting. Naturally, most people are signed up to speak on closures. It appears that the list was only expanded 5 more so just 25 speakers. I think they should do 40. Interesting that two speakers on West Seattle High made the list but I see others on the waitlist. Overcrowded and under resourced? Also, the district announced the series of community meetings on school closures: Dear SPS families and staff, You're invited to a community meeting to discuss Seattle Public Schools' plans to reimagine a system of well-resourced, safe, and equitable schools. In these meetings, SPS leaders will share information on how our district is working to provide every student with the support they need at a school clo

 And now a NOT SPS closure story that out of Florida where one sheriff is sick of prank shooting/bombing calls at schools. NEW: Florida boy arrested, 'perp-walked' and thrown in jail after bragging about a "k*ll list" and showing off an arsenal of weapons.  Here's the photo the kid published with his threat.  "Every time we make an arrest, your kid’s photo is going to be put out there… We’re gonna come and get you. We’re going to put you out for public embarrassment," said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.  11-year-old Carlo "Kingston" Dorelli showed his arsenal to classmates and threatened violence. Dorelli was charged with a felony for the written threat of a mass sh**ting.  The sheriff also published a video of the boy being led into the jailhouse with handcuffs on. "For the little b*stards out there who think this is funny, ha ha ha, you want to get on social media: You ain’t that smart… You’re getting caught." Whe

So much news coming fast and furious. The speakers list for the Board meeting tomorrow will be published by the end of day today. I'll let you know what it looks like. Next, Seattle Hall Pass did a live tweet session of Director Joe Mizrahi's visit to the John Hay Elementary PTSA meeting last night. There were some notable quotes. Two key takeaways (as I perceive his words): - He is not satisfied with this plan. - He's not going to be muscled into any vote.  Also, He talks about the enrollment study that Olympia gave them $100K to do. (Podesta has said it will be done by the end of the year.) Hilarious. Yes, why wait for data that might better information school closures? - The plan was supposed to come in July but it was postponed. He didn't see the full plan until it was released in public. He saw about 90% of the plan. I have heard from another newer Board member that they do not receive materials sooner than the public or just one day before. This is why they

Please read this petition and sign if so inclined. I do believe moving this program - without saying where - is a disservice to these students and their parents. Petition Dear Superintendent Brent Jones and the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, We, the undersigned parents and concerned community members, are writing to express our deep concern regarding the potential closure of Tops K-8, which houses the district-wide Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program. This raises significant concerns about the district’s ability to meet its legal obligations and the profound impact on the effectiveness of the program. Tops K-8 serves many students who are furthest from educational justice, a group the district has identified as a priority in its decision-making. DHH students are part of this group, and closing Tops and splitting the DHH program would further marginalize these students . Such a move would compromise their access to specialized resources and the inclusive environment that