Is This Almost Rock Bottom for the Times?
Update: Too hot in the kitchen? This story has all but disappeared from the Times' website. The other stories it appeared with are either still at the top of the webpage or have moved to the Local section. This one? You have to do a search to find it. Hmm.
The Times has an "article" about the upcoming Board elections oddly titled "Shadow of Fired Chief Looms Over Schools Vote."
I put article in quotes because it is an incredibly skewed accounting of the candidates for School Board (except for the incumbents who mostly seem to get a pass except for Peter Maier who I believe may be the fall guy for this election). It's hard to believe this is supposed to pass for objective reporting.
The title seems odd to me because I don't think this election is about Maria Goodloe-Johnson. At least not her firing. It IS about ed reform and its role in Seattle Public Schools.
From the article:
Nearly all of the 11 challengers indict the four incumbents up for re-election for being too sober, for missing signs of a looming financial scandal and for an upswell of frustration among some parents with key policy and curriculum decisions.
No, I don't think anyone is unhappy with the incumbents being "too sober." It's more like needing to be "more attentive" or "more engaged" or even "paying attention."
What is also interesting is the article calls out the near-firing of Martin Floe and the closure of Cooper Elementary at the forefront of neighborhood issues. I'd say the bigger issues are capacity management and what academic materials being used in our classrooms.
The incumbents stress the need for "stability" and "continuity." What has this district been but churn, churn, churn for the last four years? C'mon, where's the stability in senior leadership? All we have seen is a revolving door of people, coming and going, and who's on first? And stability of the Board is going to change all that?
Honestly, I don't get what is going on at the Times but I think we are ruffling some feathers because this article sure wouldn't win any Pulitzer.
The Times has an "article" about the upcoming Board elections oddly titled "Shadow of Fired Chief Looms Over Schools Vote."
I put article in quotes because it is an incredibly skewed accounting of the candidates for School Board (except for the incumbents who mostly seem to get a pass except for Peter Maier who I believe may be the fall guy for this election). It's hard to believe this is supposed to pass for objective reporting.
The title seems odd to me because I don't think this election is about Maria Goodloe-Johnson. At least not her firing. It IS about ed reform and its role in Seattle Public Schools.
From the article:
Nearly all of the 11 challengers indict the four incumbents up for re-election for being too sober, for missing signs of a looming financial scandal and for an upswell of frustration among some parents with key policy and curriculum decisions.
No, I don't think anyone is unhappy with the incumbents being "too sober." It's more like needing to be "more attentive" or "more engaged" or even "paying attention."
What is also interesting is the article calls out the near-firing of Martin Floe and the closure of Cooper Elementary at the forefront of neighborhood issues. I'd say the bigger issues are capacity management and what academic materials being used in our classrooms.
The incumbents stress the need for "stability" and "continuity." What has this district been but churn, churn, churn for the last four years? C'mon, where's the stability in senior leadership? All we have seen is a revolving door of people, coming and going, and who's on first? And stability of the Board is going to change all that?
Honestly, I don't get what is going on at the Times but I think we are ruffling some feathers because this article sure wouldn't win any Pulitzer.
Comments
It was amusing watching Lynne dodge all the cream pies thrown her direction : )
The incumbents' quotes were full of coulda, woulda, shoulda...
And btw; "rock bottom for the Times" is when Blethen shoots your dog.
Lest we forget.
It almost seems that the Times took pains to say the most negative thing they could about most of the challengers. A few people got to have a quote but most of you just got zinged.
I wrote in my comment that Kate ended up being right and the thing that the Times likes to rail about (getting rid of poor quality teachers) got done.
Melissa is right. They took pains to say negative things about most of the challengers. Mine just happens to make me look like a crook. Such is life.
(snark alert: I am not actually advocating electing alcoholics to the school board.)
zb
They also put my professional portfolio website as my election website.
If I wasn't screwed before, I am now.
I also think Lynne was surprised at the vociferous rejection of, what was in her mind I'm sure, an "innovative, reasoned" piece.
They believe the commenters are all malcontents and so it's not worth their time. They want to marginalize those who do comment.
Second, they are biding their time for the general. I'm sure they believe every incumbent will make it to the general (and they probably will but there could be a surprise). That's when they will come. (Stand will probably be the heavy hitter there.)
I wouldn't be surprised if there were tv ads.
I do think it funny if they think they are going to win on the "stability/continuity" front but the district has been in churn for the last four years.
One of the incumbents said they had "inherited a mess." Well, it's not like whoever comes onto the Board is going to find a well-managed, well-functioning district.
And Mr. Weber - I would still demand corrections - you deserve to be treated better!
I hope there is a surprise or two in store for the incumbents and their supporters - there needs to be a shakeup of beliefs in the worse way.
Oh to be a wealthy anonymous benefactor so I could make that happen ;o)
I couldn't believe it. It was so jaw-dropping in its audacity.
I appreciate your kind words. I can jump up and down and howl at the moon but they will either stonewall me or wait until after the primary to print a correction.
While I haven't been the most popular candidate on this blog, I've been able to get myself and my ideas heard by some of the good people of District II. And if it ends up with Kate or Jack squaring off against Sherry in the general, Kate or Jack will get my full endorsement.
This is similiar, but on a much, much smaller scale, to what happened to Brock Adams. An accuser made accusations, was load and vocal about it and, even though he was cleared by The DC police and the Senate of any wrong-doing, it ruined his political career.
I felt I had some momentum building in some areas of district II and gave myself about 30 to 40% chance of pulling it off. I'll keeping swing away all the way till the 16th. Who knows, stranger things have happened.
It was a cheap and most unnecessary shot. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and it's hard to be involved in a process in which we know the latter will be exposed, but this was gratuitous and just plain mean. Keep your chin up.
Notice how they also used some different, less flattering photos of certain candidates than posted on the King County Elections site.
Then to insinuate many candidates are only one-issue activists because of their desire to improve the math curriculum...hey Times, maybe the issues around curriculum are a big deal and the math books really are deficient.
Who would you choose - a parent whose daughter received a personalized lesson with the new math books and declared they are just a-okay, or a parent that was aware of poor instruction and stood up to administration to exit an ineffective teacher?
-annoyed with the Times
I'm trying to be philosphical about it. It may have an impact on those casting their votes today, tomorrow and even Friday but after that, ??
Now, if this were Chicago, that probably would have put me over the top ;)
-math is aok with me too
I have seen how the math curriculum has driven my daughters away from the subject. They may never in their lifetimes overcome the damage done to them by the current math curriculum.
Mr. Ed
-mom of 2 and not aok with the math
Michael Debell tried to put through a policy for curriculum waivers based on "earned autonomy" last year but it was met with resistance from central office.
The key to successful waivers is to be persistent, consistent, and insistent. Parents should unite at every school and push for sound curriculum.
some other cool phrases from Mr. Orwell were 'doublespeak' and 'doublethink' - for great examples, check out CAO / Interim Sup Enfield's chatter about her executive office shuffles.
19_84
I very much admire your character and your compassion (or, should I say your passion to express your compassion.).
We may be on different sides on some issues, however, I get the sense that you listen and care about what people have to say. That puts you ahead of 3 out of the 4 incumbents.
Ken Berry
SpEd IA Van Asselt Elem
Is that like saying, "you like me better than 3 out of 4 of your ex-wives?"
Just kidding. Thank you.
I won't be tricked into giving away how many past lives, er past wives, I've lived/endured...But, let's say there was personal engagement and mutual appreciation, something very lacking from all 4 encumbents.
ken berry
SpEd IA Van Asselt Elem
This past twenty months has been an eye opening experience for me. Returning to school after a 35 year hiatus to earn my Masters degree and then jumping straight into this election was probably not the wisest thing to do but I wouldn't have traded for anything.
You, and the others I've talked with during this campaign have brought so many things to my attention, opened my eyes to the failings of our district and the areas where victories are hard-won by dedicated people.
You and I are perfect examples of how two individuals can have differing ideas yet still have a civil dialogue, maybe not come to complete agreement, yet walk away valuing the other's point of view and knowing that in the greater scheme of things, we share the same goal.
No matter what happens on the evening of the 16th, I will walk away with my head held high knowing I am a wiser man because of my discussions with you and the others I've met along this journey.
Good luck and never give up the good fight.
Mark
Is your assertion about Peter Maier documented anywhere?
Thanks,
DWE
I dont know if it is documented... SEA will know if it was or not...
I know Maier made the comments to a group of people (including teachers) at a public event at Summit during the school closure period...
I know this happened because I was asked for my opinion on what should be done about it....