Seattle Schools This Week
Wednesday, August 30
Regular School Board Meeting. Agenda
Highlights:
- this is the first regular School Board meeting for the school year 2017-2018
- Action item - Approval of solar projects for several schools. The district would received a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Commerce for a $2M+ job. I was against this item when it was introduced for a couple of reasons.
One, there are schools that have facilities/maintenance needs and it seems wrong for this project to jump ahead of them. Two, the district is using funds from BEX II and BEX III for the majority of funding needed. I don't even have to check but that isn't what voters were told the money would be used for when said they said yes to those two levies.
It bears repeating that when we vote on levies - you are voting for a bucket of dollars. Sure, a list comes attached but clearly we see the district is hoarding cash (BEX II? That was voted on in 2001 and they still have dollars?) AND spending it on what they believe is its best uses. I don't agree on this one. But kudos to Hazel Wolf K-8 PTSA who is kicking in $50K.
- Action item - Acceptance of the League of Education Voters dollars - $2M - for the continuing support for South Shore PreK-8. This is the non-emergency item that is being as an Intro/Action item. It's disappointing that the Board continues to allow this to happen but it certainly shows the power of outside entities to drive that action.
- Intro item - CSIPs. This is the annual joke that staff puts forth to the Board and the Board murmurs how all the CSIPs are kinda vague and is this plan really happening and then they vote yes on it. Charlie has always been right on the language used - full of edu-jargon but not a lot of action, no parent could read it and believe it.
The claim is that it's a living document that is regularly updated throughout the year and that BLTs monitor this.
Wait, what? Not all schools have BLTs. Not all BLTs have parent members. Updated throughout the year? Well, I'll have to pick 10 schools and track their CSIPs this year and see how that plays out.
Hilariously, the BAR says that Executive Directors help make sure CSIPs are carried out.
The whole thing is an exercise in silliness and, once again, it would be good if the Board put its foot down and demanded better.
Thursday, August 31st
There are two ribbon-cuttings for renovated schools - Meany Middle School and Olympic Hills Elementary - that may see a quorum of School Board Directors in attendance. Oly Hills' event is from noon to 1 pm and Meany Middle School's event is from 4-5 pm.
Also on Thursday, the waitlists will be dissolved.
Regular School Board Meeting. Agenda
Highlights:
- this is the first regular School Board meeting for the school year 2017-2018
- Action item - Approval of solar projects for several schools. The district would received a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Commerce for a $2M+ job. I was against this item when it was introduced for a couple of reasons.
One, there are schools that have facilities/maintenance needs and it seems wrong for this project to jump ahead of them. Two, the district is using funds from BEX II and BEX III for the majority of funding needed. I don't even have to check but that isn't what voters were told the money would be used for when said they said yes to those two levies.
It bears repeating that when we vote on levies - you are voting for a bucket of dollars. Sure, a list comes attached but clearly we see the district is hoarding cash (BEX II? That was voted on in 2001 and they still have dollars?) AND spending it on what they believe is its best uses. I don't agree on this one. But kudos to Hazel Wolf K-8 PTSA who is kicking in $50K.
- Action item - Acceptance of the League of Education Voters dollars - $2M - for the continuing support for South Shore PreK-8. This is the non-emergency item that is being as an Intro/Action item. It's disappointing that the Board continues to allow this to happen but it certainly shows the power of outside entities to drive that action.
- Intro item - CSIPs. This is the annual joke that staff puts forth to the Board and the Board murmurs how all the CSIPs are kinda vague and is this plan really happening and then they vote yes on it. Charlie has always been right on the language used - full of edu-jargon but not a lot of action, no parent could read it and believe it.
The claim is that it's a living document that is regularly updated throughout the year and that BLTs monitor this.
Wait, what? Not all schools have BLTs. Not all BLTs have parent members. Updated throughout the year? Well, I'll have to pick 10 schools and track their CSIPs this year and see how that plays out.
Hilariously, the BAR says that Executive Directors help make sure CSIPs are carried out.
The whole thing is an exercise in silliness and, once again, it would be good if the Board put its foot down and demanded better.
Thursday, August 31st
There are two ribbon-cuttings for renovated schools - Meany Middle School and Olympic Hills Elementary - that may see a quorum of School Board Directors in attendance. Oly Hills' event is from noon to 1 pm and Meany Middle School's event is from 4-5 pm.
Also on Thursday, the waitlists will be dissolved.
Comments
http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=3517&reportLevel=School
Leschi has a free and reduced population of 53%. 61% of 3rd graders passed LA SBAC and 67% of third graders passed math SBAC.
http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=1033&reportLevel=School
Leschi's 3rd graders, without the support of LEV, outperform S. Shore.
I'd like to hear the superintendent's comments regarding this issue.
48.6 % of 3rd graders are passing SBAC LA and 63% of 3rd grade students are passing SBAC math. Both of these numbers are higher than S. Shore.
The numbers of 4th and 5th graders passing SBAC LA and math increase to 60%-80%. Rainier View outperforms S. Shore.
http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=1109&reportLevel=School
Curious, you kind of went off the rails there with your cryptic remarks. Sorry but that's not going to work here.
LEV will never be held accountable.
Does any one know of any other income generating activities in SPS?
I believe the district does triage on students and some are deemed beyond saving.
Curious
It's literally and figuratively a facade, what with the fancy building, multicultural emphasis and ability to attract some kids who could afford private school.
SPS needs to implement changes that make a difference. How long have they had plans to eliminate the Achievement Gap?
The administration is complacent and unambitious. The board is the same.
And many kids are suffering.
Curious
Curious, are you referencing something specific?
HP
Why can't it be free if all the space for Pre-K is free to the City?
I did notice on Center School's Wikipedia page the controversy surrounding its formation as a predominantly white school for QA/Mag students in 2001.
I don't think$17K is much money for that space. I would guess the Starbucks downstairs pays that much or more.
The city rents some space for its pre-school program at non-SPS sites. I don't see the problem in helping kids get pre-school as it helps the district when the students enter K better prepared.
my 2
Be a great question to ask her: if she would forgo rent at the Armory in exchange for using SPS property for city purposes.
She says she wants to help SPS; let's see if she can walk the walk.
Mike