Smith Blum and Patu Have Big Leads in Early Returns
It looks like Kay Smith Blum and Betty Patu will be joining Michael De Bell on the Seattle School Board. The Times reports that both candidates have large leads over their challengers.
I will note that the only candidates (both former) at the Work Session today were Charlie Mas and Joanna Cullen who I always see at these things. It will be interesting to see if the newly-elected candidates show for tomorrow's Board meeting. Or maybe one of the Informational Boundaries meetings. Or the Public Hearing for the Boundaries. Considering they will have the job of helping to figure out the transition plan, it might be a good idea to show up.
I will note that the only candidates (both former) at the Work Session today were Charlie Mas and Joanna Cullen who I always see at these things. It will be interesting to see if the newly-elected candidates show for tomorrow's Board meeting. Or maybe one of the Informational Boundaries meetings. Or the Public Hearing for the Boundaries. Considering they will have the job of helping to figure out the transition plan, it might be a good idea to show up.
Comments
I don't mean to sound jaded -- my standard opening at this point -- but I've always felt that Smith-Blum knew everything she needed to know and will show up at things when required. She's up on all the facts, whether factual or not, and knows what the families want and need, even if she never came to many meetings. As you might recall, she didn't want to get a jump on any learning that might be necessary.
Sigh. May they both prove to be powerful, convincing, leaders who listen to the families and demand results.
stu
Apparently not.
I really wasn't crazy about either of them though.
As far as KSB and Mary, I was torn there too. I think Mary's heart is in the right place, but she is )in my opinion) ineffective. But, at least she tries. And she is not scared to challenge the board. Not sure KSB will try? Not sure KSB's heart is in the right place?
I guess we'll see.
FACT: No Board member is paid more than a pittance-wage stipend.
FACT: We ask a great deal of our Board members.
FACT: Each blog reader / commenter makes a certain contribution to the district and education in general.
QUESTION: For each of you, what are your individual, specific, POSITIVE contributions? (This is rhetorical, by the way. Meaning I'm not asking you to write it out for everyone to see, just a self-check to raise the level of dialogue...)
FACT: All those "FACTS" are completely irrelevant to any dialogue. Are they somehow "POSITIVE"?
I often think that the largely part-time volunteer nature of being a Seattle School Director leaves the members uncomfortable in directing the Superintendent. So much malarkey flows out of central administration and goes unchallenged.... what else explains the lack of challenging oversight?
Still no mention of D44 & D45 and effective interventions ... No release of fall 2008 PSAT results ... things like this leave me wondering :: are these folks directors or just "PR" spin people like Cheryl Chow?
Peter Maier and Cheryl Chow usually seem inert as far as direction.
With Mary Bass, it seemed like eight was enough.
I get your drift on Mary Bass though. Right on, 8 is enough. And just saying NO isn't the best, but it is more than twithood.
Dan, look at KSB's platform... that is more "Malarkey" than anything MGJ throws our way. Can you say "random"? Oh well, Mary didn't put up much of a fight. I know people who offered to volunteer for her campaign.... she never even bothered to call them back. You snooze, you lose.
Extending the school day? Providing preschool for everybody? I suppose these could be good things (certainly the pre-K education would be great), but does she imagine that Board Directors are given a magic wand to wave and make stuff happen? Is every kid going to get a pony, too?
I'd have been happier to hear that her top priority would be getting administrative costs in line with those in neighboring districts. THAT would be useful.
She does have a cheerleader personality, but she's got some discernment, too. She also calls the "Strategic Plan" bogus, filled with edubabble. I think she's going to be a kick in the pants to the District.