Bellingham's Transportation Plan

Very nice explanation (with video) from the Superintendent in Bellingham on how they arrived at their system. Good reading.

Thank you to reader, Kelly. (Readers, I LOVE when you send me info and updates. There is just no way Charlie and I can find all this data and information and I appreciate it. If you do send me info, please let me know if it is okay to use your name (first or first/last) or just "a Reader". I want to give credit where it is due but I know some of you would prefer not to be named.

As well, if the info you send is about a sensitive school problem, please know I will never disclose it without it becoming public first. I am happy to let the Times scoop those stories as I know how hard it is to read about issues at your own school all over the media.)

Comments

Athame said…
I think you forgot to add the link, Melissa.
5/10/12, 2:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Oh my gosh, it's so rational and thought out. Also, it's the superintendent presenting the info and actively engaging parents. He admits it's a complex issue and wants parent feedback. Eight months - that's how long they've worked on the issue. Months, not weeks.

Are you taking notes SPS?

-searching for sanity in Seattle
5/10/12, 3:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Wow. A rational well thought out way to do this with the superintendent engaging the whole community.

I have been in SPS 15 years and have yet to see this kind of leadership here.

"Looking forward to Banda and the housecleaning he will hopefully do."
5/10/12, 4:29 PM
mirmac1 said…
What a breath of fresh air! No practiced talking points. Let's hope Mr. Banda is Mr. Baker times X. How hard is that? Frankly, I'd feel we were getting our monies' worth, and some.

Thanks for this post. I hope we can post some good news on SchoolTube.com sometime...
5/10/12, 4:48 PM
Steve said…
And, I like the idea of using video to communicate online. I think a video once a month (or as warranted when big news happens) from the superintendent would help improve community outreach. It has always bothered me that only those who attend meetings or happen to be there when the superintendent is at a school can get a sense of who he or she is. Not a substitute for in-person meeting (and not available to everyone), but just a decent way to start communicating with a lot of people. Oh, and it's mostly free.
5/10/12, 5:43 PM
Anonymous said…
I love everything about this. I so appreciate that he's clear that not everyone will be happy, and that if this proposal doesn't work out, the default is the current system. I also am a fan of the proposal itself... I don't know if early dismissal for some grades is a viable option for our district, but the predictability/consistency would outweigh the inconvenience (at least in our family).

Thanks for sharing this.

--southpaw
5/11/12, 10:48 AM
mirmac1 said…
This shows creativity, flexibility, recognition of families concerns and issues, offers opportunities (enrichment) versus hassles.

Perhaps when Mr. Banda is ready to retire (in ten years), Mr. Baker will be interested in coming to a rehabilitated SPS...
5/11/12, 10:54 AM
kelstar said…
Isn't remarkable how the Bellingham Superintendent treats everyone like adults who can understand the complexities and the limitations? It was revelatory to watch. Thanks for posting and I am so glad everyone found it is as encouraging as I did -- Kelly
5/11/12, 3:34 PM
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