One More Meeting This Week
Ingraham PTSA meeting. Special Guest: Susan Enfield
Tuesday, May 17. 6:30-7:30
IHS Auditorium
Tuesday, May 17. 6:30-7:30
IHS Auditorium
Tuesday Open Thread
The speaker list is up for the Board meeting tomorrow; not as packed as I thought with just four people on the waitlist. The majority of the speakers are speaking on high school boundaries (with several wanting to talk about Ballard High). There are only three of us speaking about the Green Dot resolution asking the City to not grant the zoning departures that Green Dot has requested. It's me, long-time watchdog, Chris Jackins, and the head of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Patrick D'Amelio. (I knew Mr. D'Amelio when he headed the Alliance for Education and Big Brothers and Big Sisters; he's a stand-up guy.)
Comments
Backpedaling furiously!
here and here
Yeah, that's kind of funny. But I see it as an improvement over what we've had for the past 3 years. MGJ would have sat back, not said a thing, not had a meeting with teachers and staff, and certainly not shown her face at a PTSA meeting at the school. Her smug look and "no loss of sleep" over it would have been infuriating.
Enfield has made more course corrections in response to community input than MGJ did in 3 years (zero). The Garfield science situation may not be everything parents asked for, but I believe it was a beneficial change that resulted from meaningful dialog.
I'm not sure how to interpret this move yet (showing up at the PTSA meeting), but I'm withholding judgement until we hear how it goes. I wonder if it will be restricted to IHS PTSA members only!?
Things go well for Dr. Enfield when she allows meaningful dialog, as with the Garfield science issues.
Things go poorly for her when she does not allow meaningful dialog, as with the Martin Floe case.
Do you think there's a lesson there for her?
From Wikipedia:
"In the article it stated that in general, the Ingraham staff was ambivalent about the Candy Man and his illicit operations. While some bought from him and others actively reprimanded his actions, most, including principal Martin Floe, opted to "look the other way" without condoning his behavior."
Enfield in for a "broadside" from the community?
Even if Ms. Duessuelt is moved to another region (word is she wants the second SE position badly), she will have not have the respect of the principals she supervises. If she stays and Mr. Floe goes, the only tool Ms. Duessuelt will have going for her is fear, and in the end, that isn't going to get her very far.
"Enfield wouldn't say whether it's possible she will rethink her decision. But she did say that any good leader has to weigh new data"
THE REST OF THE STORY.....
Looking at Enfield's proposals to the rubber-stamping school board (dominated by 4 rubber-stampers) ... it is apparent that she has no use for data; unless the data can be cherry-picked or distorted to push a previously made decision.
TRY NTN Action Report #1 ... a lot of the data referred to in the SBAC was just incorrect. .... Remember the CAO and 2 directors took a trip to look at a STEM school that was not a STEM school... this is typical of Enfield's command of the facts.
Note CAO Enfield submitted paper work to the court in regard to school board appeals but would never certify that the evidence submitted was correct (as required by law). ---- Attorney Scott Stafne has an appeal headed to a hearing in Appeals court Division one ... over this Enfield failure.
TRY NTN Action Report #2 ... complete with an action that meets the definition of felony forgery ... submission of a bogus document to the Superior Court.
"But she did say that any good leader has to weigh new data" Unfortunately she is not and has not been a good leader.
Public school mom
Enfield changes mind. (She retains a chance of becoming our permanent superintendent.)
Floe drops attorney. (Our district isn't paying legal fees to defend itself.)
Flo keeps job. (Floe, school has stability.)
Flo continues improvement at reaching struggling students (students win.)
Dusseault quietly put on her own performance review. (Energetic lady, but needs her own intense mentoring to be an effective, respected leader.)
Spread the word.
When Dr. Enfield and I had a chat early on, I gave her two pieces of advice.
1) NO new initiatives. Stick with what we have (or even scale back) but nothing new. Parents and staff are exhausted from the churn and change.
2) Throw the parents a bone and have some clear rationale for principal movement. This is the one thing that troubles every parent in the district because, by now, they ALL know it could happen to their school.
She doesn't have to take anyone's advice or counsel but at least I managed to call out one of her biggest challenges.
Last week, Advanced Learning Manager, Dr. Bob Vaughan twice emailed the APP families who have signed up to attend
Ingraham in the new program starting this Fall. Below is the content from the first email.
The second email from Dr. Vaughan let parents know about the meeting TONIGHT with Dr. Enfield with the Ingraham
High School community on Tuesday, May 17, 6:30pm, and expressed that incoming APP parents/students are
welcome to attend. The email also stated that Dr. Enfield will meet directly with the APP families at a later date.
From Dr. Vaughan:
"I can understand your concern about changes in Ingraham’s leadership. I want to assure you that the Superintendent
is very committed to launching and building the new APP/IB. She does understand that the welcoming environment
current staff members have created at the school is an important aspect of why you chose Ingraham. Below is a
direct expression of her commitment that she wanted me to share with your family and the others who made this
choice. To further affirm her commitment, Dr. Enfield has asked me to arrange an opportunity for her to meet with
you in the near future..."
And from the Interim Superintendent:
"Thank you for sharing your concerns with me about the decision not to renew Principal Martin Floe's contract at
Ingraham High School for the 2011-2012 school year.
I do appreciate the letters I've received from staff and families, and I understand your frustration, anger, and
sadness. I want you to know this was a difficult decision, and one made with careful consideration for what is best
in the interest of our students.
Since I was appointed Interim Superintendent, I have met with and listened to families, community members and staff
from around the District. What I have heard loud and clear is that families want strong leadership, and someone who is
committed to building a team of effective instructional leaders at every school. This often means making difficult or
unpopular decisions in the short term.
I want to thank Principal Floe for his work in getting the school to where it is today. Now it is time to move
forward with new instructional leadership to help Ingraham High School reach even greater heights.
I know you selected Ingraham for its new APP/IB program. I want you to know our commitment to this program is
unwavering. The principal we hire for Ingraham will be chosen to strongly support all the students and programs there,
including the new APP/IB program your family has chosen.
Given the amount of discussion around this decision, I have decided to appoint an interim principal at the end of
the school year. This will give me more time to talk with the staff and community to engage in a thoughtful search
for a permanent principal.
Please know that your voice will be heard and included as we work to select the next principal of Ingraham High
School.
Sincerely,
Susan
Susan Enfield, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent"
What meeting was this?? I don't see any mention of it on either the APP/AC list or the Hamilton web site.
Incoming APP families are certainly welcome at Ingraham tonight. You're part of our family now. My understanding is that Mr. Vaughn will schedule another APP-parent specific meeting with Dr. Enfield in the future.
Things are moving very quickly, so some confusion is understandable, but again THERE IS NO MEETING AT HAMILTON WITH DR. ENFIELD TONIGHT. There are other things going on at Hamilton tonight as I understand it. BUT DR. ENFIELD WILL BE AT INGRAHAM.
Whitman Middle School parents received a message notifying us about the event, so some "outside" parents have been invited. Even if they hadn't, PTSA meetings are rarely (if ever) closed events, so anyone could go and drop in. If there are any votes taken, I would expect that they would be limited to PTSA members only.
WV: unite
The decision to fire Mr. Floe sets a precident for how things will be going forward- everyone with any interest in SPS should definitely be at Ingraham tonight!
An Ingraham parent
True?
More to come | Interim Seattle School Superintendent Susan Enfield announced today that she has reversed her decision to dismiss Ingraham High School Principal Martin Floe.
Enfield is reinstating Floe, reports the Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015079017_ingraham18m.html
She met privately with Ingraham High teachers Monday and was to meet Tuesday evening with parents, students and others in a public meeting. That meeting has now been canceled.
i am sure the letter will be published by the time so i wont take up and space.
jpr