Seattle School Board Meeting (Part One)

The Board meeting was fairly entertaining and informative tonight.

First up was a wonderful presentation about Special Olympics and soccer teams made up of SPS students from 7 of the 10 high schools that formed a league this year.  (Rainier Beach's team won the championship this year.)  Created by SPS Athletic Director Eric McCurdy, it is to expand to all 10 high schools this year.  Really hard-warming and a great community effort from both Special Olympics and the Seattle Sounders. 

Then came public testimony.  Since the star issue on the agenda was TFA, most of it was about TFA.  Highlights:

• Watchdog Chris Jackins asked how the district was dealing with the very large number of personnel changes especially at headquarters.  He also offered good luck to the TFA hires but asked if there wasn't a lot of resources and effort towards TFA for just a couple of teachers.  He questioned whether it was all about academics or maybe there was an attempt to curry favor elsewhere?

• Cecelia McCormick carefully laid out the questions about whether the TFA recruits have done everything that is required to become a conditionally certified teacher.  She has been unable to obtain a clear answer from staff (and it happened again tonight) about this issue.   She asked the Board if it isn't clearly explained that all qualifications necessary have been fulfilled, why would the Board take staff's word that the fingerprint and background checks have been fulfilled as well?

• Then we had the parents of a former TFAer.  They were sincere people who clearly are quite proud of their daughter(s).  (They felt compelled to give a lot of extraneous details about their family almost as if their honor was at stake.)  But, their testimony was a little off.  Both of them, in trying to explain where their daughter had taught in Hawaii, referenced that their daughter was white and the majority of her class was not.  The mom said that her daughter, "inspired students who might not normally meet someone with her talents."  (She also called TFA recruits  "the best and the brightest" and that they represented the "spirit of reform started by John Stanford."  I'm not sure I would agree with that statement or what she based it on.)  Then dad said he was glad that there would be TFA students at UW and that they would bring diversity and more math and engineering teachers to SPS (neither of which is happening so far).

• Olga Addae, the SEA president, spoke about the contract and how it is building on a 3-year program for professional development.

• Jonathan Knapp, Vice-President for SEA, was scheduled to speak and disappeared during the testimony only to reappear afterwards.  He was supposed to speak on the conditional certifications.

• Then there was a wonderful speaker, Diane Steen, who spoke about an SBOC panel of former SBOC students now all at UW.  They invited SBOC students and parents to hear about their stories.  She said 3 were from Somalia, 1 from China, 1 from Mongolia and several from Central America and Mexico.  She said one person said the biggest challenge was believing in yourself and that you can do it.  She also said one person stated that he had really like his school because it had a roof.  Meaning, he knew what he had come from and knew what he was now getting.  

• There was also a mom, Karin Youngberg, who spoke about her daughter who is working through a traditional teaching degree.  I wonder if the parents of the TFA teacher even understand how upsetting it is to those students to be told that TFA teachers are the best and the brightest. 

I spoke as well and pointed out several issues including:

• none of the women would add diversity, 
• none has a math/science degree, 
• since none have a math/science degree then none are paid for by Washington STEM and who is paying?  I pointed out that the Board keeps saying the district will be more transparent and yet it's like a murder mystery.   
• there was no real community engagement
• Director DeBell had pointed out last week that schools are going to open overcrowded and he was not corrected on that point by any staff.  I also said that at a budget work session last spring that principals should not staff to previous levels.  I wondered out loud how this would all work out to hire more TFA recruits when they open schools on the first day and oh my gosh! we need more teachers and stat!

Superintendent's Comments

• She mentioned the kick-off to the new school year on August 30th from 4-6 p.m. at Fisher Plaza.  Everyone is invited.
• She said that the mantra for this year is "attacking gaps, raising expectations everywhere."  
• She stated that they finished the org charts and "it was a huge task and too the bulk of time the last few months."  That left me speechless.  Here are the charts and boy, Central Administration doesn't look slimmed down much. 
• The "wheels on the bus" enrollment outreach netted 90 enrolled students.   (Unclear if they are new to SPS students or just late.)  
• Madison Middle School received a national award but the title was so long I couldn't get it.  I'll try to find it.
• She briefly mentioned the furlough day and how it is difficult for all.  She also said she had a different contract and would be paid but would be paying the money back to the district for that day.
• She said that she had told principals and PTA leaders at a community breakfast this week, "There's never been a better time to be in SPS."  No comment.

Board Comments

Carr

• She introduced the new Internal Auditor, Andrew Medina, who seemed a bit shy.  He said that he felt welcomed by staff and that they "are ready for change" and to "set things right."   Sherry went on to say that the Board's commitment was to openness and transparency which I appreciate but honestly, at this point, what else could they say?
• She also said that the Audit and Finance Committee, with staff, was setting up a calendar of items to track through out the year so that they will be looking for cut-off dates, etc.

Maier

• Will have a new location for his community meetings this year.  
• That two new schools are opening - Rainier View and Viewlands and that Viewlands' kindergartens are full.  

Smith-Blum

• Said that at her next community meeting, Executive Director Nancy Coogan will also be in attendance.

Martin-Morris

• Stated that just like the last three years, he would not be taking his authorized $4800 for School Board service.  
• Stated that his own brother had been part of Special Olympics for the last 35 years and Martin-Morris is glad for the partnership with SPS and the soccer league that has been created.  

Patu

• She said she will be at the same location for her community meetings and that while she can't answer all her e-mail, she does answer a lot of questions at her meetings.
• She said the RBHS meet-and-greet for the new principal, Dwane Chappelle, went well and she congratulated the PTSA for a job well done.  (I briefly attended and got to meet Mr. Chappelle and he certainly made a good first impression.) 
• She also said she was glad for the two executive directors for her region.  She also said that Hawthorne and Wing Luke had made AYP this year.

Sundquist

• Mentioned that West Seattle Elementary had also made AYP this year.  

Then it was onto the TFA discussion where it got interesting.  That's Part Two tomorrow.