This and That, June 16, 2023

 Update:

Not really important but it made me smile. 

The Council of Great City Schools (which brought Student Outcome Focused Governance to SPS) is having its Annual Fall Conference in San Diego in October.  Their featured speakers are former representative Liz Cheney and actor John Leguizamo. Go figure. 

Also, that Gates Foundation grant that I mentioned that the CGCS received? Here's its title:

Urban District DOQ Activities and Curriculum Demand Aggregation  

I honestly could not say with accuracy what that means but I'd bet it's about SOFG

end of update

The district and the City have identified the company that they would like to partner with to tear down Memorial Stadium and build a replacement. The Times reports that the new stadium will open in 2026 0r 2027. From SPS:

On June 15, Superintendent Brent Jones and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle will enter into discussions with One Roof Partnership – comprised of One Roof Foundation, Seattle Kraken and Oak View Group – as their potential partner in redeveloping and operating the Memorial Stadium. An advisory panel of SPS and city staff and community representatives reviewed the proposals and interviewed the prospective partners before recommending One Roof Partnership.

With this announcement, the parties will continue to discuss the proposal in hopes of a mutual agreement to be considered by the Seattle School Board and Seattle City Council later this year.

Students and the community will have opportunities to provide input to help shape the planning and design through a community engagement process following partnership negotiation. The process, guided by best practices used in other successful civic and school projects, will be based on a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and access. 

Do I believe the last paragraph? Not really. If there's more than two "public engagement" opportunities I'd be surprised. I would guess they will try a survey. 

From a joint statement by Mayor Bruce Harrell and Superintendent Brent Jones:

“We have carefully considered the recommendation of the Memorial Stadium Advisory Panel, and agree that One Roof Partnership’s proposal makes a promising case for a potential partnership with a strong understanding of our values, a bold vision for an innovative new stadium, and which comes closest to meeting the requirements, goals and student-centered focus of the RFP.

“As a potential partner, One Roof Partnership proposes a philanthropic funding approach, rather than a commercial enterprise. This unique approach best reflects community, with an emphasis on creating new opportunities for students and youth from all backgrounds, and has promise to be a great enhancement to the Seattle Center campus.

From the West Seattle Blog, notice of an open house of sorts before Alki Elementary is torn down. 

Before bidding adieu to its rich past, Alki Elementary School is inviting the public to a special Community Open House on June 21, 2023, from 4 pm to 6 pm. This free event offers an opportunity for community members, alumni, and anyone with fond memories of the school to step inside and reminisce about the cherished moments shared within those walls.

An interactive aspect of the event includes the provision of Sharpie pens for attendees to leave heartfelt notes and messages on the cafeteria walls. These messages will serve as a meaningful farewell for both the students and staff as they embark on their journey to a new facility.

The West Seattle Blog reports:

The start of construction depends on what happens with appeals filed against the city’s decision to grant zoning exceptions; the appeal hearing is scheduled for late July. 

On investigating the governance model that the district and Board are now following, Student Outcome Focused Goverance (SOFG), I had a parent in San Francisco reach out to me. Apparently, their school board is pushing this as well.  Interestingly, that Board of Education hasn't done their "committee diet" and still have oversight committees like Budget and Business services, Buildings and Grounds, and Curriculum and Programs. But they are going to get there if reading their website is a guide. 

It's not just Washington Middle School that will have a damaged program because of teacher cuts - now I am hearing that Franklin High School's excellent mock trial team is likely to suffer the same fate.  There is this petition going. 

With no funding from Franklin and SPS, as well as the recent news that our class has been terminated due to budget cuts, the future of FHS Mock Trial is in jeopardy.

The news of budget cuts and the loss of our class came at a peak in our program; our class enrollment numbers for next year more than quadrupled, approximately 50 students just participated in our first-ever spring tournament, both of our teams went undefeated in the district and state competitions aside from the team who placed first in the state and fourth in the nation, and we made history this year as the first team in WA state to ever move up 17 places in the state competition placing 20th in 2022 and 3rd in 2023. This loss is devastating. 

Franklin High School has one of the best Mock Trial programs in the nation. We are one of only five schools to have won the National Championship twice, once in 2000 and again in 2018. 

For over 30 years, Franklin Mock Trial has trained hundreds of students (including the current Washington State Solicitor General) how to think critically, speak confidently, and argue persuasively. 

You may also consider joining us at the School Board Meeting (virtually or in-person) on June 21st, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. 

 

So a question - folks, what is up with all the shootings and murders all over Seattle? The pregnant woman in Belltown? What do you all think is happening and what should the Mayor and City Council be doing?