Super Search; Fast and Furious News
Update: The information below has now disappeared from the website.
You pick:
1) We are paying some big bucks for Communications that makes huge errors in what they write to the point where they say something that is not true.
2) Someone who put this information up originally had to back off because of how incredibly suspicious it looks to say the Committee made a recommendation when they didn't (and it wasn't even part of their charge.
I pick #2 but remember this happened going forward.
End of update.
Something is happening. The SPS website says this:
Community Focus Group to recommend next Superintendent from three finalists. Board will make final decision in early to mid-May; media interviews online. A 25-person Community Focus Group has met with each of the three candidates for Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and will make a recommendation to the School Board.
What? Folks, we have been told all along the Committee would NOT give a recommendation.
In fact, the non-disclosure form that tells the members they cannot discuss the questions or answers also told them that they will not be making a recommendation.
I feel certain that given that form, that no vote was taken by committee members.
So what to make of this odd statement that they WOULD be making a recommendation to the Board?
Could it be poor wording on the part of SPS Communications? How could they get it THAT wrong? (I'm trying to reach someone in Communications but nothing yet.)
And who directed this to be put up on the website? The Board office doesn't know.
It almost sounds like someone trying to shore up one particular candidate.
I understand that the Alliance, LEV, etc is pushing hard for their pick..
I urge you to write the Board with yours (schoolboard@seattleschools.org)
More news as I get it.
You pick:
1) We are paying some big bucks for Communications that makes huge errors in what they write to the point where they say something that is not true.
2) Someone who put this information up originally had to back off because of how incredibly suspicious it looks to say the Committee made a recommendation when they didn't (and it wasn't even part of their charge.
I pick #2 but remember this happened going forward.
End of update.
Something is happening. The SPS website says this:
Community Focus Group to recommend next Superintendent from three finalists. Board will make final decision in early to mid-May; media interviews online. A 25-person Community Focus Group has met with each of the three candidates for Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and will make a recommendation to the School Board.
What? Folks, we have been told all along the Committee would NOT give a recommendation.
In fact, the non-disclosure form that tells the members they cannot discuss the questions or answers also told them that they will not be making a recommendation.
I feel certain that given that form, that no vote was taken by committee members.
So what to make of this odd statement that they WOULD be making a recommendation to the Board?
Could it be poor wording on the part of SPS Communications? How could they get it THAT wrong? (I'm trying to reach someone in Communications but nothing yet.)
And who directed this to be put up on the website? The Board office doesn't know.
It almost sounds like someone trying to shore up one particular candidate.
I understand that the Alliance, LEV, etc is pushing hard for their pick..
I urge you to write the Board with yours (schoolboard@seattleschools.org)
More news as I get it.
Comments
Do the numbers on the committee support the reformers candidate? If so, I think some are getting desperate.
Just go for the choice that will go against the best interests of the largest number of people.
( as opposed to the interests of those with the largest check books)
I am wondering if anyone will fill me in on the ed reform cast list and how they interconnect, so I can feel less confused when I see names (Varner, Broad, Crosscut, the LEV, the alliance, GATES etc.) mentioned here. That may be a tall order (bring me up to speed on all of these players)-- feel free to direct me somewhere to learn for myself. Sorry if I'm seeming ignorant here.
--tc
Who knows as (1) they are sworn to secrecy and (2) they took no vote and made no recommendation as was their charge.
TC - I'll try to get a Cast of Characters list up soon so you can follow along.
I did see a mention of it in the District News of April 19 where the three finalists were announced.
Seattle School Board names top three finalists for Superintendent
Candidates to spend next week in Seattle; Board will make final decision in May
April 19, 2012 | Audience: Families, Community, Staff | Contact: Communications, (206) 252-0200
The Seattle School Board on Thursday, April 19, announced three finalists for Superintendent: José L. Banda, Steven W. Enoch and Sandra L. Husk.
The finalists were selected as part of a national search to find the next leader for Seattle Public Schools. The hiring committee selected the three finalists using desired characteristics and traits defined by the community, including: a visionary, inspirational leader; an instructional leader who has a proven track record; a knowledgeable manager and an effective communicator. The full list of traits is outlined online at http://bit.ly/SuperintendentSearchSite.
The finalists will be in Seattle during the week of April 23 to meet with the School Board and the 25-member Community Focus Group, as well as tour several Seattle schools.
“We are moving forward these strong candidates for the next phase of interviews,” said School Board President Michael DeBell. “We are looking forward to getting to know the candidates better, and finding a leader who is the best fit for our school district.”
A 12-person Search Committee helped narrow the pool of 42 applicants to a group of semi-finalists, who were interviewed by the committee last week. Members of the committee included the Board Directors, and one representative from each of the following: the Seattle Council PTSA, the District’s central administration, the Seattle Education Association (SEA), the Principals’ Association of Seattle Schools (PASS) and Local 609 (the International Union of Operating Engineers).
A 25-person Community Focus Group will meet with each candidate next week and make a recommendation to the School Board. The media will also have an opportunity to interview each of the candidates. The School Board makes the final determination, and expects to offer the position to the top candidate in May.
Mr. Banda will be in Seattle on April 23-24, Mr. Enoch on April 24-25 and Dr. Husk on April 25-26.
The public can offer feedback to the School Board at schoolboard@seattleschools.org.
By the way, does anyone believe the process has been transparent? Was the board allowed to see all 42applicants? If not, couldn't the board have signed a non-disclosure document to see all applicants? Is someone hiding a transparent process under the veil of "privacy"? Come on, the board could handle 42 applications.
Hi to all...
School Board to select next Superintendent by early to mid-May; media interviews of three finalists now online
The School Board expects to offer the position of Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools to one of three finalists in early to mid-May. The three were in Seattle this week meeting with the Board and Community Focus Group, and touring several schools. They also met with members of the media. You can watch their press conference with the media online at the following links: Jose Banda, Steven Enoch and Sandra Husk.
WTF! Does Debell figure that by leaving the better candidates twisting in the wind, they'll drop out?! (remember how adamant he was about not letting that happen again! At least while he thought he could control the process)
bleech
Thank you so much for this non-stop flow of information. Along with the cast of characters, some of your newer readers might find an acronym glossary helpful. I know you're busy, maybe if you started a thread we could all build one together.
SD
-Rogers Mom
I must be righter than usual this time...
Really disgusted
"Who will take the [superintendent]reins? Don’t believe everything you read" writes Korsmo.
They do NOT want a4-3 or 5-2 vote. My thought is if they can't agree on their first choice but can on their second, maybe second is better.
Michael was elected President, not king. He is no more "elected" to the Board than anyone else.
Central staff budget cut email from Enfield today was equally interesting...
Someone
Do I sound pissed? Well I am. Give me Enoch and I will go away.
Melissa is correct- DeBell likes to be king, but he is one of 7. Not- so -sorry Michael.
"Can you promise that you'll not use the word 'skill-set' when you meet with people?"
she responds "I can't promise that. ha ha"
Oh Lordy
PS mom
How about banning "another tool in their toolkit" while we're at it?
I'm also sick of education administrators' duties being referred to as "this work" (as if we're talking about a Rothko). Enfield uses that one any chance she can, and Martin-Morris seems to get an endorphine whenever he can say that someone is...
"really passionate about this work."
--enough already
Sounded like Brian Johnson from Komo. He's been around a looong time.
follower of this blog
ready to take a vote but Carr can't
get through to her top donors to find
out what to do.
As a parent of child in District 2
it's just business as usual here.
n...
"Phase III consists of the Board’s second interview and a facilitated discussion with a community focus group. To collect further feedback from the community about the finalists, an approximately 25 member focus group will be given the opportunity to participate in a facilitated discussion with each finalist candidate. The search firm consultants will report the feedback from the discussion to the Board. Applications to be a member of the focus group were accepted until March 8, 2012, and the members were selected by the Executive Committee on March 14, 2012"
I don't see anything about a vote. I go option #2.
Just catching on
Do NOT EVER sign as a person you are not.
DWE
Did anyone else see Hanauer and Liu on Charlie Rose Thursday night? They've written a book: The Gardens of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy, and the Role of Government
n...
That is hugely disappointing.
n...
You are a little man.
The Full Monty
French Soldier: I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.
Sir Galahad: Is there someone else up there we can talk to?
French Soldier: No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
-Gumby
What gives?
"What [is behind], the curtains?"
or:
“When I first came here, this was all swamp. Everyone said I was daft to build a [school district] on a swamp, but I built it all the same, just to show them. It sank into the swamp. So I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So I built a third. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up. And that's what you're going to get, lad, the strongest [district] in all of [Washington]."
Let's hope we can finally get our district built right!