From Friday's Mad Dash News over Banda's Pending Departure
Updates:
I spoke with several people connected with this issue on Friday.
Gabe Ross is the communications person for Sacramento Schools. He verified that some Sacramento School Board members will visit SPS this week. He said that their Board has to wait until their next official board meeting to take a vote (that's July 1th) because, under California law, they cannot vote in a new superintendent at a special meeting.
Patrick Kennedy is the president of the Sacramento School Board. He said Sacramento has about 44,000 students. He told me their last superintendent stayed about four years and made a salary of about $260K (I think this was without benefits). That superintendent left to move back to the East Coast and they have had an interim superintendent for about a year.
He said there had been a national search with 15 applicants and six finalists. He said that Banda was the only finalist for the job.
I asked him about Mayor Kevin Johnson who is a big ed reform advocate nationally and is married to Michelle Rhee. He said that the Mayor has no direct power over the school district and was careful to say that Mayor Johnson tends to speak more on a national level than a school district level. Interesting.
I am puzzled, though, about this visit from Sacramento school board directors. I mean it would seem that no district or board owes any help to a district/board that is poaching their superintendent. They make it sound pro forma but it seems counterintuitive to me.
Press Conference
There were about 8 media there. Banda and Peaslee were the two speakers.
Banda said mostly what you would expect. SPS has a dedicated staff, accomplished "much," SE schools doing better, Strategic Plan blueprint, etc.
Peaslee wished him well, said he stepped into a difficult situation and did his work quietly, without much fanfare. Oddly, she said few people were aware of his leadership and hard work. (I say that seems odd because he is the superintendent and should be the most visible person in the district.)
She stated the Board would be meeting next week to determine next steps including meeting with union partners. She said they did have the Strategic Plan as a "roadmap" for the next superintendent.
? to Banda - Did you reach out to Sacramento or did they reach out to you?
He said he had been contacted by a search firm and, upon follow-up questioning, it was not the first time.
? to Banda - What would you recommend to the Board to keep the next superintendent?
He said there was a good team in place and that was the most important thing to keep together.
? to Peaslee - Will you appoint an interim?
Yes, so we have time for an in-depth search. She noted that most urban superintendents do not stay longer than three years and that there should be an acknowledgment of the realities of the pressures of a big district superintendent.
? to Peaslee - Are you worried about the perception of our district being difficult?
She said no, this is not unusual for an urban district and that the district is stable and "mapped out."
? I asked if the Board wants to follow the Strategic Plan, does that mean they will not be looking for a change agent but more a caretaker leader?
Peaslee said they want someone who can sustain the momentum.
Banda would be leaving on or directly after the vote in Sacramento on July 17th so the Board would be making plans around that date.
Banda said he was taking a pay cut but I suspect it will not be by much (and Sacramento is likely a less expensive city to live in).
I asked Banda about Sacramento's ed reform-minded mayor and that his district has charter schools. He said it was a good question but he knows that the roles of mayor and superintendent are separated in Sacramento as they are here.
He also said this, "Everyone is doing things for the right reasons for children." I always worry when I get that "it's for the kids" line. Because it always seems to come out when something less-than-good is happening.
Peaslee was asked about trust and she said that a good board reflects our city and should be clear with a superintendent about what they are looking for. She said trust doesn't always mean you will agree but that you will mutually trust each other's judgment.
Analysis
I'll be blunt - the Superintendent is acting for his own personal good. There is no one pushing him out, he likes his team but he has decided that his California pension and being nearer to his family mean more. That's his call but it's not the best thing for our district and it troubles me that he is jumping ship so soon. It's very disappointing.
As for President Peaslee, I'll have more to say on her understanding stance after the Superintendent makes his exit. I think she is keeping her own wise counsel.
Since there is a Strategic Plan in place that the Board supports, I would have to think this is a more than clear position for our district to present to any candidate. (That it is overly large is another issue but I think a smart superintendent can handle that one.)
It makes for a job description that doesn't need a big mover and shaker but frankly, a competent administrator who can be inspirational. (And please note that I put "competent administrator" before "inspirational" because we really need to get Central administration on track before we need a cheerleader.)
I think we will not hear a lot from other city leaders out loud but I suspect there will be some furious back-and-forth to the Board about how to conduct a search.
I think one thing is clear - we need to get someone who is somewhat local and therefore (hopefully) less likely to jump ship for personal reasons. Too many superintendent candidates are hopping from job to job in hopes of a big salary/quick results before moving on to the next big thing.
While I have, in the past, supported an educator, it may be time to look more broadly.
I spoke with several people connected with this issue on Friday.
Gabe Ross is the communications person for Sacramento Schools. He verified that some Sacramento School Board members will visit SPS this week. He said that their Board has to wait until their next official board meeting to take a vote (that's July 1th) because, under California law, they cannot vote in a new superintendent at a special meeting.
Patrick Kennedy is the president of the Sacramento School Board. He said Sacramento has about 44,000 students. He told me their last superintendent stayed about four years and made a salary of about $260K (I think this was without benefits). That superintendent left to move back to the East Coast and they have had an interim superintendent for about a year.
He said there had been a national search with 15 applicants and six finalists. He said that Banda was the only finalist for the job.
I asked him about Mayor Kevin Johnson who is a big ed reform advocate nationally and is married to Michelle Rhee. He said that the Mayor has no direct power over the school district and was careful to say that Mayor Johnson tends to speak more on a national level than a school district level. Interesting.
I am puzzled, though, about this visit from Sacramento school board directors. I mean it would seem that no district or board owes any help to a district/board that is poaching their superintendent. They make it sound pro forma but it seems counterintuitive to me.
Press Conference
There were about 8 media there. Banda and Peaslee were the two speakers.
Banda said mostly what you would expect. SPS has a dedicated staff, accomplished "much," SE schools doing better, Strategic Plan blueprint, etc.
Peaslee wished him well, said he stepped into a difficult situation and did his work quietly, without much fanfare. Oddly, she said few people were aware of his leadership and hard work. (I say that seems odd because he is the superintendent and should be the most visible person in the district.)
She stated the Board would be meeting next week to determine next steps including meeting with union partners. She said they did have the Strategic Plan as a "roadmap" for the next superintendent.
? to Banda - Did you reach out to Sacramento or did they reach out to you?
He said he had been contacted by a search firm and, upon follow-up questioning, it was not the first time.
? to Banda - What would you recommend to the Board to keep the next superintendent?
He said there was a good team in place and that was the most important thing to keep together.
? to Peaslee - Will you appoint an interim?
Yes, so we have time for an in-depth search. She noted that most urban superintendents do not stay longer than three years and that there should be an acknowledgment of the realities of the pressures of a big district superintendent.
? to Peaslee - Are you worried about the perception of our district being difficult?
She said no, this is not unusual for an urban district and that the district is stable and "mapped out."
? I asked if the Board wants to follow the Strategic Plan, does that mean they will not be looking for a change agent but more a caretaker leader?
Peaslee said they want someone who can sustain the momentum.
Banda would be leaving on or directly after the vote in Sacramento on July 17th so the Board would be making plans around that date.
Banda said he was taking a pay cut but I suspect it will not be by much (and Sacramento is likely a less expensive city to live in).
I asked Banda about Sacramento's ed reform-minded mayor and that his district has charter schools. He said it was a good question but he knows that the roles of mayor and superintendent are separated in Sacramento as they are here.
He also said this, "Everyone is doing things for the right reasons for children." I always worry when I get that "it's for the kids" line. Because it always seems to come out when something less-than-good is happening.
Peaslee was asked about trust and she said that a good board reflects our city and should be clear with a superintendent about what they are looking for. She said trust doesn't always mean you will agree but that you will mutually trust each other's judgment.
Analysis
I'll be blunt - the Superintendent is acting for his own personal good. There is no one pushing him out, he likes his team but he has decided that his California pension and being nearer to his family mean more. That's his call but it's not the best thing for our district and it troubles me that he is jumping ship so soon. It's very disappointing.
As for President Peaslee, I'll have more to say on her understanding stance after the Superintendent makes his exit. I think she is keeping her own wise counsel.
Since there is a Strategic Plan in place that the Board supports, I would have to think this is a more than clear position for our district to present to any candidate. (That it is overly large is another issue but I think a smart superintendent can handle that one.)
It makes for a job description that doesn't need a big mover and shaker but frankly, a competent administrator who can be inspirational. (And please note that I put "competent administrator" before "inspirational" because we really need to get Central administration on track before we need a cheerleader.)
I think we will not hear a lot from other city leaders out loud but I suspect there will be some furious back-and-forth to the Board about how to conduct a search.
I think one thing is clear - we need to get someone who is somewhat local and therefore (hopefully) less likely to jump ship for personal reasons. Too many superintendent candidates are hopping from job to job in hopes of a big salary/quick results before moving on to the next big thing.
While I have, in the past, supported an educator, it may be time to look more broadly.
Comments
My guess is we're gonna get a nice, intellectual white guy who can deal with the APP crowd when the changes happen there. I'm not calling anyone racist, but folks of mexican heritage are still scarce here in Seattle, I mean the taqueria to people ratio is pathetic.
Sam
Counting down
I don't and didn't want Banda gone. I'm very disappointed in him but he made his own choices.
I liked Peaslee's remarks on where the district is vis a vis a search this time. I don't know if we have better luck finding someone who will stay longer -- but we are sure in a more stable position starting out.
Jan
Sacramento seems a good fit for Banda; Seattle never was. As I recall, Banda wasn't anybody's first choice; he was the better choice of the two finalists who stayed in the running. Next time we need to have better choices.
My two cents to the board: Stability and long-term commitment should be the primary criteria for the next superintendent. Don't hire a search firm. Take your time, and work through informal networks to find the person who will want to make this his or her last job.
And don't pick someone from California.
I agree with Jack; we need stability and frankly, I think the use of search firms is WAY overrated.
Isn't it weird that Banda will end-up in Sacramento- the home of Kevin Johnson? You know, husband of Michelle Rhee and Mr. Charter School himself.
Isn't it weird that we have a local connection to Kevin Johnson?
http://educationvoters.org/get-involved/speaker-series/
Isn't it weird that we have politicos and highly funded individuals in this city that want to control our schools:
http://seattletimes.com/html/education/2003357419_nickels07m.html
I came across this interesting article. There are some familiar names. Look! Nick Hanauer!! Doesn't Hanauer contribute enormous dollars to LEV; if not downright own them?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dora-taylor/the-battle-for-seattle-pa_b_793262.html
I completely believe Banda when he says he wasn't looking, and you know what they say about 6 degrees...
Boy, what would the FOIA's look like?
The fan is in danger of being struck if, say, APP gets pushed back into neighborhood schools and the north end does even better. More gap, more pressure to fix things fast in the south.
Banda wAsnt going to stay past three but we need a new person to be here for the next three as it's gong to get tricky.
Hippy
Ann D
History matters
In second grade my son's teacher was black, the principle was black, the regional supervisor was black, the district lawyer was black and the superintendent was black.
When we complained about an incident the regional supervisor told us we didn't have it so bad because when she was little she could not share books with white kids...? Then the principle told us how he couldn't buy a house because of red lining...?
No this wasn't in 1950 it was 2007!
So please stop with the race card it's not helping and I don't think there's any validity to the claims. If there were I'm sure we would have the NAACP suing and Jesses Jackson would be on the front page of the Seattle times daily.
--Michael
But, there are race issues in this district. The disproportional discipline for African-American students is appalling.
As well, it has not been easy for south-end parents to be heard on their issues of advocacy for their children.
There's also probably a lot more we don't know.
But race is not a dead issue in this district, city, state or nation.
Meanwhile Banda had no problem pushing out the NW center (for sped kids/families) even though they are a great resource for the Seattle community, paid rent and put in improvements to the building. Why? To open the building for a school program? Well kind of but really why is CASCADE Parent Partnership Program a school program? They say at risk kids but at risk of what too much parent involvement?
MW do you know what is up with Cascade - smacks of charter lite and if I wasn't such a half full type of person I would say they are probably one of the first headed that way in a Seattle Public Schools bldg.
“CASCADE Parent Partnership Program is a public education hybrid program designed to enrich the learning of children whose parents are their primary educators. CASCADE provides families the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of classes and workshops which provide direction, support and supplements to parent facilitated learning at home. These classes include a wide variety of science classes, Writer’s Workshop, Pottery, Spanish, Personal Fitness and many more for grades K-8, as well as a broad selection of high school classes with access to Running Start and other college readiness programs. CASCADE supports families seeking a variety of educational resources and alternative means of learning. While our program is tailored to each family’s individual learning goals, CASCADE provides a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.”
-history matters
As for Cascade, it is not going charter. It is a home for kids who have needs/issues that can't seem to be addressed anywhere else. It is NOT all homeschooled kids coming in for a single class.
I went to a meeting there (where Banda and Dr. Herdon were) and was astonished at the spectrum of diversity in race, ethnic background and socio-economic. And yet they are truly a community.
Boy, there's a lot of suspicion out there.
Are you saying that you support Cascade? Could you share what you like about the program? I look at their pictures and I don't see anything different than any class I've seen but look at what they offer (and how do I get my kids small classes with "Qualified Teachers" including a pathway to running start?):
Cascade Parent Partnership is a Seattle Public Schools' program enrolling over 184 students who enroll with the district. Cascade offers comprehensive K-8 programming on campus. Each student has a comprehensive individualized student learning plan (SLP), overseen and directed by Highly Qualified Teachers. In addition to providing K-8 classes aligned with Common Core and Seattle Public Schools curriculum, Cascade teachers oversee and direct offsite classes for students, as needed.
"Cascade is funded as an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program through OSPI with the flexible design to meet student needs through a combination of onsite learning and learning programs in the community and at home. The program mission, design and structure requires a significant parent (broadly defined as adult guardian) commitment, as families assist in facilitating offsite learning, overseeing students when not in classes, and partnering in assessing student progress toward highly individualized learning goals. To this end, Cascade has extended programming that offers families instruction, support, classes and community connections to resources.
The Cascade student population is very diverse and is inclusive of all students and families. Cascade offers small class sizes, IEP services, and student supports to ensure each and every student is being served. In addition to formal offerings, families work together through support circles, clubs and workshops to meet individual student learning goals in a supportive community environment."
Yeah probably right why go to all the trouble of being a charter when SPS is giving it all to you already.
-history matters
Right. No one died... And that really should be enough. He botched it for all the reason Charlie just stated, as well as for all of those reasons Charlie has stated before.
Oh yeah no SWAT but they cornered off several blocks and had a significant police presence when they finally evicted the squatters.
-history matters
"It is a home for kids who have needs/issues that can't seem to be addressed anywhere else."
What are those needs? Allergic to big public schools? Please tell... Must not be too bad if they end up in running start.
Are there other schools like this?!?!? How much does this school cost and which diagnosis/behavioral disorder do you need to be confirmed to get in it. Are their photos from another school because they represent just about any gen ed classroom I have seen.
-history matters
Yeah it may have been Sam's post (first to pull out the race card) and your reply but everything else seems race neutral. I just hazard a guess it was Ann D as it set me off and I'm of mixed race too. The only purpose of that event was to continue to get free or discounted square footage from a district that can't afford it to further the groups goals that had no measurable effect and with no reported prior success.
Micheal has since clarified that he indeed knows that "race is not a dead issue in this district, city, state or nation" and that from his perspective it can go both ways. MW I'm sure the events with Gregory King (black principal at Lowell) and race and administrative reprisals is well documented and so it's hard to not feel for what Micheal states he went through. And all the way to MGJ with his concerns to find complete disregard and lack of action to insure it wouldn't happen again. Yikes.
-History Matters
I didn't disparage anyone. In fact, i expressed nothing but intense curiosity as well as envy for the participants of the program: small classes, small school, tied into resources, Highly Qualified Teachers (their caps not mine), parental involvement and etc. I'm sorry that my roughly 20 years (in kid yrs) of special need schooling as a parent of children that have 504s and IEPs hasn't introduced me specifically to the Cascade program. And that yeah I only got the media and my spouses' view on the NWC v Cascade but once I went to SPS website I was put on a tilt.
Now I am going to go out on a limb and say it has to do with children in transitional housing. If so I'm glad to know that and yeah those kids certainly need as much help as we can offer... but if i'm wrong will someone tell me please.
And Shesh can you just throw a poster a fact. I read 3 of the most recent post/and over 200 replies on cascade/NWC where many people said that
"It is a home for kids who have needs/issues that can't seem to be addressed anywhere else."
"What are those needs?" is not a bad question to ask in a system of finite resources. I saw other posters ask the same question... NOT to be answered. So I get it. It is a sensitive subject not AT ALL explained on a public schools's website and IMHO that should be changed.
History Matters
I DO support Cascade. I know a number of parents of children with autism who feel they're only choice is to homeschool. Is that needy enough for ya?
-History Matters
-H M
What event?
Michael didn't make the remark about race as an issue not being dead, I did.
"How I am going to go out on a limb and say it has to do with children in transitional housing."
Again, what?
Thanks Facts because I don't have time to completely explain Cascade's program especially to someone who has such a loaded idea of what it is already.
-sped parent
Ann D
Are you talking social economic effects? Are you talking poverty impacts? Are you talking ESL?
If find the notion that people of color are some how second class citizens offensive, sure there are those who will always have a clip on their shoulder those who try to make up for the past, but many people just want the distinctions stopped.
--Michael
Obviously I am not being clear or you are just reading into my comments.
Ann D, I wasn't saying your question was rhetorical (I too think your question is truly valid - for Sacramento to ask). I clearly addressed my rhetorical question to Mirmac's "needy enough?" snarky post by saying "Thanks Mirmac, I am sure that was a rhetorical question but if not"... and I go on to talk about Cascade and not Mann. How you thought that was directed at you?!?!? In addition, I was only trying to set the record straight about the Mann bldg's series of unfortunate events (ending in life threatening and hostile language from the squatters requiring the need for SPD to extradite them from the school) and shed some light on the Mann displaced programs by stating "The only purpose of that event <> was to continue to get free or discounted square footage from a district that can't afford it to further the groups goals that had no measurable effect and with no reported prior success."
Why bring both up because Banda was the Sup on both of those moves and I think he lost the media battle as well as played politics too much. (End results I now happen to agree with, not that it matters).
MW, I have no loaded idea. In fact, I say as much repeatedly. When I went to SPS's website and I came to find this special need parents dream of a program, especially after looking at the kids pictured and the verbiage and wanting my kids to get that kind of education. As I stated i had "nothing but intense curiosity as well as envy for the participants of the program: small classes, small school, tied into resources, Highly Qualified Teachers (their caps not mine), parental involvement and etc. I'm sorry that my roughly 20 years (in kid yrs) of special need schooling as a parent of children that have 504s and IEPs hasn't introduced me specifically to the Cascade program." In fact, I state that I THINK it must be for homeless kids. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW... Something you should understand.
The crux of the problem is that what isn't on the website is the description as to what the requirements are to enter. Now I seem to know... Enough resources to home school and the ability to make the case to the District that they can't meet your child's needs with any of their existing programs.
I am glad to have an understanding of the program and thank you all who actually just answered me with facts and links. You rule.
-History Matters
I don't think you have to prove you need the school. You have to visit to ensure you understand your responsibility as a parent in that program - but that's it. If you're willing to be on campus with your child the entire time they're at school and to take on the responsibility for teaching them at home anything that's not covered in school - you're set.
I should know better than to use someone else's words (MW) to speak for someone else (Micheal)... especially someone who I don't even know. Sorry.
Micheal seemed to me to be stating that the race thing is alive and well and it goes both ways (just as it did with Gregory King) and he would rather not have race a factor in people of powers decision to take action against a wrong. I applaud that if that was indeed what he was saying.
-history matters
-history matters
Was it the "ya"? If so, that was intentional. You do not have a monopoly on rhetoric.
Ann D. pointed out the obvious- that despite tens of millions spent by this district, it has impacted those SPS claims to care about? Isn't that what Charles Wright was waxing poetic about at the board retreat? i doubt it. His taskmasters are at BMGF and the Alliance for Education. They ghostwrote the ponderous Strategic Plan they can now use to justify every extravagance at JSCEE.
You express interesting opinions like: some of us have "special need parents dream of a program." who are somehow "(a)lergic to big public schools." Plus, when it comes to Mann, "No one died... And that really should be enough." But you criticize it is other people's problem that they misunderstand?
For someone who takes offense easily, you expect much of others who likely have it rougher (just speculating, but at least I don't generalize). I don't count myself among them, but I understand and support their position more than yours.
And, yes, thank you Lynne for suggesting a more positive approach than dismissing a whole class of students and families.
Come on did you just say but you were snarky first? Your response and David's were dismissive and I fell were purposefully cryptic.
And why not:
If the only criterion is that you have a guardian that "ensure(s) you understand your responsibility as a parent in that program - but that's it. If you're willing to be on campus with your child the entire time they're at school and to take on the responsibility for teaching them at home anything that's not covered in school - you're set."
Okay I'm willing to! You bet for a small k8 school, that's inclusive, diverse, has SLPs and highly qualified teaching staff that are tied into outside resources. Sign me up... Aside from the job thing.
And yet folks like mirmac and David chose to perpetuate my ignorance verses adding details to a program that comes across on SPS's website as really dreamy to a veteran of IEP and 504 battles.
As for dismissing a whole class of people which "inclusive" class of people did I dismiss? Right now I am not thinking it is the "one parent doesn't work for a living class."
And that is where my snark ends because I truly believe there needs to be more of this and not less. And each kid should get a SLP and a Highly Qualified Teacher. And SPS needs to do a far better job describing their programs.
Oh and sorry, again Patrick had it wrong as Banda botched the Mann bldg event even if no one died.
-History matters
Some parents do additional instruction at home, and some only attend classes at Cascade, so there is variability in how families utilize services. Students need to meet a certain number of hours of learning time for a given grade, whether at Cascade or at home. There is no district transportation provided, though it is on a bus line which many families use. The SLP is written by the parent with the help of a certified teacher, and monthly reports must be submitted on a student's progress (i.e., in math we covered adding double digit numbers, or whatever progress they've made in relation to the SLP for each subject).
Families come from all walks of life and may help each other with student supervision (you can give written permission for another parent to be on campus to supervise your child), because yes, some are single parents or work.
facts
History Matters above