A Legislator Pulled into this Mess?
A reader alerted us to a story in the Seattle PI online about lobbying that Silas Potter did at the State Legislature for more leeway in running business development programs. In the Auditor's work documents, it notes a couple of times that Potter had been told not to go to the Legislature and lobby (but he apparently didn't stop). As well, a former legislator, Velma Veloria, was paid by his office to lobby as well (even though lobbying for the district is strictly limited and must go through Legal and neither person did).
Apparently there was little opposition to the bill (which passed) but:
Larry Stevens of the Mechanical Contractors of Western Washington and National Electrical Contractors Association, testified on March 15, 2007 that he was concerned about a lack of oversight. "There needs to be some parameters around it. This bill...is a little too wide open," he said. "It just throws it open....there are no public works police out there."
Right, nobody but us gadflies.
So perhaps who else seems to need to be questioned in this case? Rep. Sharon Tamiko Santos. According to the story:
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle. Santos told seattlepi.com on Monday that the legislation evolved from discussions she had over many years about how to increase government contract opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
"This particular approach was , in part, drafted upon a model of success that was brought to me by constituents," she said. "They did point to the Seattle Public Schools as a model of success."
Really? And who might those constituents be? And did she check with anyone on the Board or in upper management to see if this program was really "a model of success"?
Astonishingly, in light of what is now happening, she still says:
Santos said she didn't think the law need to be changed in light of the ongoing criminal investigation into the Seattle Public Schools program. She said local governments should have their own, rigid review process for how public monies are spent. "The state shouldn't micromanage. We expect their (sic) to be tight oversight," she said.
And the fact that there wasn't in this case doesn't tell you anything?
In January she pleaded guilty to negligent driving charges stemming from a July DUI arrest.
Comments
Here's the coalition:
African American Parent Community Coalition
African American Men's Group
African American Parent Community Coalition
Alliance for Education
Central Area Motivation Program
CEER
(Coalition for Equal Education Rights)
CCER
(Community Center for Education Results)
Cheryl Chow, former Seattle School Board President
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Sally Clark
Councilmember Tim Burgess
East African Community Services
El Centro de la Raza
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Horn of Africa Services
Kevin C. Washington, Chair, Tabor 100 Education Committee
King County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
League of Education Voters
Mona H. Bailey, Retired Seattle Public Schools District Administrator
The New School Foundation
Partnership For Learning
Powerful Schools
Rainier Scholars
Seattle Breakfast Group
Somali Community Services of Seattle
Stand for Children
Technology Access Foundation
Technology Alliance
Urban Enterprise Center
Urban Impact
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Washington Policy Center
WTIA
( Washington Technology Industry Association)
Youth Ambassadors
HISTORY
A citywide conversation about teacher quality started in earnest in Seattle in the fall of 2009. This was spurred predominantly by
three separate but related efforts:
a) The 2009 legislative session resulted in passage of Race to the Top legislation, which included a multi-tiered evaluation
system for teachers and principals and a lengthening of teacher tenure but omitted such items as teacher performance and
professional development;
b) The Alliance for Education commissioned the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 2004-2009 and 2009-2010 SPS/SEA collective bargaining agreements. Following publication, a series of public events were held to discuss the findings and recommendations;
c) The Seattle Community Organizers formed to advocate for greater transparency in the bargaining process, further raising
awareness of the issue, particularly among parents. These efforts combined to produce a level of public discourse around the issues of teacher quality and evaluation that had not previously existed. With the contract set to expire in August, 2010, there was a clear opportunity to harness this interest and energy around a specific set of outcomes.
APPROACH
The Alliance for Education led the formation of the coalition in partnership with the League of Education Voters and the Technology
Alliance. These three groups, functioning as an informal steering committee, established the coalition’s basic premise, guiding principles and policy platform:
Premise: A coalition broadly representative of parents, students, local employers and the community at large is
reflective of the District’s constituency and therefore has a legitimate voice in the process (although not a place at the bargaining table)...
From there, coalition build-out began in earnest, ultimately resulting in 35 different groups and individuals formally signing onto the effort."
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?NC_MGJ&1
The other two state reps involved are Pettigrew and Kline. If you want to start digging around campaign contributions, I would start with those three. I would also look at any and all connections to the Department of Commerce as well.
I would also try and discover who specifically decided to close down MLK in the first place, and see if Stephens was involved. Ron English was on the School Use Advisory Committee (SUAC) committee, which put together the RFP for the sale.
Another point to note -- all this went down a year or two after the small business program was created. And Stephens came to SPS with a huge Rolodex if state contacts, given his previous tenure with Gary Locke, the DOL and DSHS. By 2007, he'd have the state contacts, the authority at SPS, and the money to push through the transfer of the 2.5 million dollar MLK property to his own church at nearly no out of pocket cost to them.
I wonder who has been paying for their campaigns.
I am being racist, as a white person, or just noting what seems to be so obvious?
Po3
Look HERE.
Washington's possible adoption of the $183+ million dollar CCSS is not receiving a thoughtful discussion. .. Why??
=====
Why? Because that is the way Santos wants it and laws are for others not for Rep. Santos or SPI Randy Dorn.
Rep. Santos needs to now be supporting students in the 37th and the processes of a republic NOT Mr. Dorn's violation of the LAW.
It seems that greed is color blind and gender neutral, and cares little about race, orientation, or national origin, either.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
Allows a state agency or authorized local government to use the limited public
works process to solicit and award small works roster contracts to certain small
businesses, and to adopt procedures to encourage small businesses to submit
quotations or bids on small works roster contracts.
Allows the alternative procedure for submission of an intent to pay prevailing
wages to be used for projects using the limited public works process.
Allows public entities to retain 50 percent of a public works contract in lieu of a
bond on contracts up to $35,000.
Requires public entities to notify the Department of Revenue of completion of
public works contracts for contracts totaling $35,000 and over.
I hate that so many African-Americans are involved because a few self-serving African-Americans worked the system for their own gain without regard to the long-term damage they were doing to the greater African-American community. How much help can truly deserving minority-owned small businesses expect to recieve after this debacle? Pottergate will hurt most the people it was touted as helping.
I am being racist, as a white person, or just noting what seems to be so obvious?
It is notable that so many of the players are African-American, if only because white-collar crime is usually the purview of European-Americans. What would be racist would be to think that all African-Americans (or all European-Americans) are white-collar criminals. But, it would be wrong to ignore the ethnicity of the players for fear of being labeled a racist - because that kind of fear was a big factor in this mess.
Here's the link: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/436264_solar28.html
WV: toxic!
Rolland, who benefited from Potter's little business, was the president of CPPS at the time MG-J announced her Capacity Management Plan (2008/09).
CPPS opposed school closures in the past -- but did not oppose them in 2008/09. Why was that?
Some of us found it strange that almost no organizations or community leaders were opposing Goodloe-Johnson's Capacity Management Plan.
That is why ESP Vision was formed, a group of parents and teachers across the District who opposed the Plan. (Remember the online petition that got over 1,700 signatures? http://blog.seattlepi.com/schoolzone/2009/01/02/anti-school-closure-petition-gaining-steam/)
The majority of kids affected by the closures were kids of color.
Why didn't Rolland oppose the closures?
Was it because of the money he got from Potter?
Was it because of the money CPPS once got from the Gates Foundation, which also supports MG-J's brand of Ed Reform (or is it the other way around)?
Or did CPPS always support MGJ-style Ed Reform? The PPS organizations elsewhere in the country are all pretty much pro-reform.
Look at CPPS's weak commentary about the closures: http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/387559_schoolclose13.html
Closure plan must assure goal of quality neighborhood schools
Look at Rolland's support of Ed Reform -- merit pay, high stakes testing: http://www.cppsofseattle.org/News/Aug09/07-28-09letter.html
Did CPPS leadership get some kind of incentive not to fight MG-J's agenda?
Or did she agree to push an agenda they supported in exchange for their silence on closures?
Maybe Andrew K. can clarify this.
Nice call on SHB 1328.
Title: An act relating to small works roster contracting procedures.
Brief Description: Concerning small works roster contracting procedures.
Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos, Anderson, Green, Hunt, Miloscia, McDermott, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Chandler, Darneille, Haigh, Hankins, Wallace, Kristiansen, Kagi, Pettigrew, Kenney and Conway).
To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data. It is obvious why the Seattle Schools as a system are floundering when it comes to improving academics.
This is a fiasco ... driven only by petty political concerns.... the concerns of Adults ... with little real concern for students.
Look for more great fairy-tales from several Directors this week.
HOUSE BILL REPORT HB 1830
As Passed House:
February 10, 2010
Brief Summary of Bill
Permits state agencies and authorized local governments to use the limited public works process to solicit and award small works roster contracts to businesses having gross revenues under $7 million.
Persons Testifying : Representative Santos, prime sponsor; Eddie Rye, Community Coalition for Contracts and Jobs; Marget Chappel, Small Business Action Coaching; Silas Potter, Seattle Public Schools; Ralph Ibarra, Diverse America Network; Dan Seydel, Platinum Group; and Tony Orange, AFAR Associates.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/WSLdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1830%20HBR%20APH%2010.pdf
Many years ago, women and minority-owned businesses did NOT get many government contracts. It was the all white boys network. Yes, this debacle at SPS has shown that there was a huge lack of oversight with the district's program, but as you said earlier, Melissa, it started with the best of intent. Why are you trying to throw a fine community activist and public servant under the (school) bus?
Stating that Rep. Santos was busted for DUI does not pertain to the discussion here and is a "low blow." (Not that I'm excusing it, but it's a different issue altogether.)
--Not Throwing Stones
Keep pulling the thread.....
This is a mess. We all get that. And it may turn out that there are more people involved (or unwittingly caught up in the net) and more things to discover. But let's not get all crazy here and start attacking people just because it's popular to do so.
This blog prides itself on dealing with facts, but right now there are lots of opinions flowing from some of those facts and it's amazingly being unchecked.
Melissa, was it really necessary for you to bring up Santos' DUI? Be careful how deeply you dig your heals into folks--you might not like what comes back at you (particularly since NONE of us are perfect).
I think the post-Obama election elation also provided cover to Potter and Stephens, as everyone was feeling great about the prospect of better race relations at that time and likely cutting slack to guys like Potter.
Reminds me of a line from the Eagles song The Last Resort: Somebody laid the mountains low, while the town got high.
I think he felt that he was helping his community (as did many of his fellow vendors) while helping himself.
You should read Sable Verity's blog posts on these issues. She doesn't mince any words and good for her.
I put in Rep. Tomiko-Santos DUI because it goes to a pattern of judgment and perhaps poor decision making. I never said she was a bad legislator, I've heard her speak several times. But her support around these issues and her poor judgment about getting in a car and driving after drinking certainly does go to her abilities as a legislator.
I am still deeply bugged by how the First AME church (Stephen's own church) was able to obtain the MLK school property essentially for free by using a $2.4 million state grant. Santos, along with Pettigrew and Kline, made that grant happen, and they made it happen quickly. Whatever the underlying motivations were, it was still a tainted deal, IMHO. State legislators should never be in the business of transferring publicly owned property to private entities on the state's dime.
Re race, what I keep thinking is "role models." Not sure what the message is. Could spin positively - hey, people of all races are clever enough to be corrupt. But I think it's more like the minority leaders - oops - aren't what you'd like your children to emulate after all. Not that the majority leaders are. Would the ethical people of all colors please stand up and get in the news?
Oh so now you're an attorney?
She has suppressed public discussion as she denied HB 1891 a hearing. She gave Mr. Randy Dorn a free pass to violate state law with no accountability.
I am now off to the Office of the Secretary of State to file seeking the recall and discharge from office of Rep. Sharon Tamiko Santos and that of Superintendent of Public Instruction Mr. Randy Dorn as well. Link is Here.
This situation is rather symptomatic of the ingrained relationships that exist in Seattle politics in general. Certain groups and people become anointed as the leaders and many do have power and influence in various areas and on many issues. Eventually wealthy and powerful people learn how to use these people, groups and politicos and get them to go along with various agendas. Don't get me wrong some of these politicos and so-called leaders search out these opportunities and willingly go along.
To some extent this will exist and is necessary in any city to move forward on projects, but with no substantial challenges from the citizenry it leads to real corruption.
This keeps the representatives very busy keeping all the various leaders and money people in each of the special areas happy in order to be reelected. Natural neighborhoods and communities are divided and have less opportunity to organize. This is very sad as many of those involved live in the 37th or do a lot of business there.
Also, was the grant written specifically for the purchase of the MLK property, or was is just part of some larger package of money?
Looking at the original RFP and bids, I can see where someone creating the grant may have thought the money was to go to a community center, along the lines of the CCC proposal. But it ended up in the hands of Stephens' church in the end.
Let's stop the "Charlie Sheening" of this woman already, and let every Dick Tracy or Nancy Drew who is without sin cast the first stone.
Ick, ick, ick. Please stop going there.
Regarding the 37th, it also has the poorest turnout of any of the LDs that are mostly in Seattle (the 11th is mostly South of Seattle).
Feb 2007 only 27% of the registered voters turned out (in the 46th, 35%)
Feb 2010 only 31% (46th, 39%)
and Nov 2010 it had the lowest percent turnout as well (67%) overall turnout was 73%
Groups especially one neighborhood group formed to create a community center and I think many thought the money would help them build a program. There must have been a lot more going on behind the scenes since then AME seemed to have the edge as the interested groups submitted actual proposals. Everyone knew that Bush would submit something.
What I have yet to see from the SPS are any documents that list who was on the team that selected the properties to be shut down. I understand why MLK made the list -- it's attendance was very low. What I am looking for is whether Stephens and/or English had a hand in putting it on the closure list in the first place, and when.
Next on the timeline - correlate the timing of payments from Potter's program to groups that were most likely to protest school closures - Urban League, CAMP (Tony Orange), etc. These people have already been called out by the SAO report as having withdrawn from protesting activities after receiving contracts through Potter's group.
Attendance at some schools is low due to program placement not due to a lack of students. This is especially important if Seattle is serious about neighborhood assignments. MLK had a long history of a variety of programs with an extremely small reference area. The K-8 at Madrona was first touted as TOPS at Madrona. If Madrona had become a desirable option school, there well may have been enough students to drive a good program at MLK whose site is larger than Madrona or Montlake.
The decision to close the school was also made very quickly, and was was based on unarguably low attendance numbers. However, I also fully agree that several measures could have and should have been taken to make it a more viable school. MLK really was a huge neighborhood asset, from everything I have read about it, and there *should* have been strong business and community effort to retain it. The fact that there wan't that support, and the end result was the transfer of the property to the First AME church at very little cost to them, makes me highly, highly suspect of the motivations of the people who fast-tracked this. The same names keep coming up - Stephens, English, Santos, Orange. Why on earth would these people want to close a community treasure, unless they wanted it to go to the church in the first place?
It looks like Nina Shapiro at the Weekly is reading this Blog, by the way:
Fred Stephens, Former Seattle Schools Supervisor, Faces Questions from the Blogosphere About Another Financial Deal
By Nina Shapiro, Tue., Mar. 1 2011 @ 1:26PM
http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/03/fred_stephens_former_seattle_s.php
Watch out WSEADAWG, it may be your family she kills driving drunk one day.