Open Thread Friday
Ballots go out next week for the primary in August. Once again, who you vote for in the School Board elections is really going to matter. So you people in Districts IV and V, give it careful thought.
Look for my mayoral candidates assessment thread coming this weekend. (I will only be giving my opinion of who I believe understands the public education issues in Seattle and has ideas to support SPS. I will not be endorsing any one candidate.
What's on your mind?
Update:
Looking at Publicola this morning, I see this quote from Ed Murray at a recent forum:
On the relationship between city government and Seattle Public Schools: "The school district closes down schools, and then opens schools, and doesn’t understand the demographics" of a changing, increasingly diverse school district, Murray said. He added that although the school district doesn't report directly to the city, "It could be as simple as the city talking over demography for the school district" by integrating school planning with the city's growth targets.
Murray is, of course, right (as we all know from the experience of the whiplash of closing/reopening schools). The district has shown it needs help on its projections and, despite repeated questions from Board members on this front over the years, staff has waved off this question.
But the district has increasingly shown itself willing to now ask for that help. This is one good way the City could work with the district and be helpful to making it better.
Look for my mayoral candidates assessment thread coming this weekend. (I will only be giving my opinion of who I believe understands the public education issues in Seattle and has ideas to support SPS. I will not be endorsing any one candidate.
What's on your mind?
Update:
Looking at Publicola this morning, I see this quote from Ed Murray at a recent forum:
On the relationship between city government and Seattle Public Schools: "The school district closes down schools, and then opens schools, and doesn’t understand the demographics" of a changing, increasingly diverse school district, Murray said. He added that although the school district doesn't report directly to the city, "It could be as simple as the city talking over demography for the school district" by integrating school planning with the city's growth targets.
Murray is, of course, right (as we all know from the experience of the whiplash of closing/reopening schools). The district has shown it needs help on its projections and, despite repeated questions from Board members on this front over the years, staff has waved off this question.
But the district has increasingly shown itself willing to now ask for that help. This is one good way the City could work with the district and be helpful to making it better.
Comments
Why won't these Board members direct the superintendent to develop, draft, implement, and monitor a plan to end disproportionality?
The Board named their top priorities for this year. They were:
1. Bringing Teacher & Principal Profession Growth & Evaluations (PG&E) to scale
2. Development of Equitable Access Framework: Phase I
3. Development & Implementation of Student Support Strategies/MTSS
4. Replacement Strategic Plan
Not closing the academic achievement gap, unless you believe that these four are part of a tacit plan to end disproportionality. If so, then why is that plan un-written? Why isn't it clearly - or at least overtly - stated?
Capital Budget: $168 million
Debt Service: $46 million
Does anyone have any information on the Horace Mann school situation?
HP
Ridiculous! The building belongs to the district. I don't think the mayor could do anything with it.
Lynn
If the elimination of Disproportionality is a priority, there should be a Plan to eliminate Disproportionality and the Board should direct the Superintendent to develop,draft,implement and monitor this plan. Likewise, human and financial resources should be budgeted for this plan with a Director appointed who would report directly to the Superintendent. Additionally, the Goal of eliminating Disproportionality should be included in the Strategic Plan and the School Board's list of top priorities should include closing the achievement gap.
It is not too late to do this and I am confident that Sue Peters will importantly assist Board members in doing so.
How wonderful that your son is interning for a Mayoral candidate. What experiences he will have.
With regard to the Horace Mann building. This question was asked of Dr. Blanford at the MDC meeting, because one of his opponents for the School Board was in favor of the Community group remaining at the Mann building. Dr. Blanford responded with an idea I found interesting.....sharing the facility. Would that be possible?
http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2013/06/dpd-approves-horace-mann-rennovation-two-story-addition/
http://www.africatownseattle.org/africatown-center/
Not much more than that.
HP
HP
http://www.djc.com/news/co/12053988.html
FirstHiller
All of the things that the young people are doing or want to do at UPC they could be doing at NOVA.
If they don't want to do it at NOVA, they could do it at some of the community center space that is already in the area. There's plenty. The Africatown Seattle web site lists a number of suitable spaces.
Wouldn't the old Colman School space be appropriate? Or Garfield High School, Garfield community center, Yesler community center, Miller community center, MLK, Coyote Central, Pratt, or any of a half dozen other spaces?
HP
There is video of the meeting with the superintendent on YouTube. Search for Seatlle's Horace Mann School.
Lynn
-SWWS
As for Horace Mann, Charlie is right. Nova never should have been moved. There are a lot of places to have community activities including, just down the road, their communiity center.
That said, the community could work with the district to use the building after-hours if the Nova community isn't using it. I see no problem with that but someone has to help pay the costs for using the building. You can't just put that on the district so if a mayoral candidate wants to do that, great. And if Mr. Blanford thinks it a good idea, he can spearhead the effort. (Wait, that would be micromanaging.)
reader
I'm thrilled to see her go, but I'm FURIOUS about what she was allowed to do prior to her departure. Is Supt. Banda paying attention AT ALL??
In addition to what she's done with principals all over West Seattle, she's really done a number on Lafayette. She's completely undermined some of the best and brightest teachers at Lafayette. The staff took the very serious and courageous step of placing a No Confidence vote against the inept and loathsome asst. principal at Lafayette this spring, and Dellino sided with said asst. principal in spite of a landslide of evidence against the asst. principal. She threatened the teachers and punished them for speaking out, even though there were serious infractions and illegalities reported.
Then, in the last week of school, she sought to relocate some of the strongest teachers at the school (who had been part of the No Confidence vote). I'm not sure where that shook out since school ended (as per her design), but if she succeeded, Lafayette will be a shell of its former self in September, all thanks to Dellino. Honestly, what's next for West Seattle?? Are they going to turn us over to Tolley next? I wouldn't be surprised. What WOULD shock me is if Supt. Banda decided to help.
-so sick of it
I'm sorry to see Ms. Dellino go, she's fantastic, hard working, and a genuinely good person. She's not WS's problem or part of Lafayette's problem. I don't blame her for moving on. Our loss.
-Other WS
Can you explain how you know that she acted as an honest arbiter in the situation at Lafayette?
What inside information do you have?
They write:
"This decision by Spokane Public Schools, led by its school board and Superintendent Shelley Redinger, is a profile in courage, humility and responsibility. These education leaders have enthusiastically forged ahead to deliver what the community clearly wants: charter school options for their students."
Ummm. If their community wanted choices, then why didn't Spokane just create the kinds of schools that they want? They specifically call for project-based learning, IB, Montessori, dual language and others. Why didn't they just start these schools for themselves like we did here in Seattle?
WPC writes the most one-sided items.
They gushed over 13 districts sending a letter of intent. Three drop out but they don't note that.
Then only one files an application. One. Others say they don't have the time and resources. But, the new charter association says they will help. Gates will help.
I have to wonder if many of them just thought it out and realized what they would do to their own district.
WPC is also claming Port Townsend wants to be a charter district. I don't recall that language in the law so I don't even know how they would do it.
If people want to dispute how the money is spent, fine. But it is quite true that teachers spend huge amounts of their own money as well as parents who invest huge amounts into their own child as well as their child's school.
Disappointed
Are you aware of what those illegalities were? And have they been reported to the police?
Lynn