Seattle School Board Doesn't Want Your Input; Give It To Them Anyway
It has become apparent that in filling the two empty Seattle School Board seats, the Board directors are not interested in public input. In fact. they haven't said if they are listening to anyone except maybe some students and, oddly, the Superintendent. Brent Jones should have zero input on what is a public matter.
So I'm providing this link (yes, I know that they vote tomorrow). I urge you to give them your thoughts because this it becomes part of the public record. And there should be a record of how many people wrote to the Board to give their insights and input.
You can either email - spsdirectors@seattleschools.org
or
use their "Feedback for Board Directors" fill-in comment section at the Board webpage.
Comments
It seems like it's time to band together and fight for a decent education for all SPS children. Has anyone thought of organized protests or even more extreme measures, like boycotting the schools? Maybe we don't need such extreme steps, but there seems to be a lot more we could do to ensure that the voices of families are heard rather than just bemoaning what exists while all those with the opportunity silently exit the district.
So that said, what can we do to advocate for improvement? Going to Olympia once a year or writing some letters won't cut it.
- PeacefulProtester
Many parents have poured all kinds of energy into trying to improve SPS, for as long as anyone can remember. Look at what happens to them. They spend many hours and often move the needle little or not at all. It starts to feel like wasted effort, or more than most people have time for. Some join the school board, which sucks the life out of people and chews them up and spits them out. Those who can often move out of the district or homeschool or go private. That's a version of boycotting right there.
It's not as though parents don't care or notice or do anything. Big systems are just hard to change, especially when many agree there is a problem but not all agree on what it is or how to fix it.
Lead the way! I’m all for some fight but it has been difficult when leadership is a non-responsive limp noodle and also disdainful of families in the district. Remember the district allowed itself to keep buildings closed to classrooms for 18 MONTHS during COVID - that is the political environment we are operating in. The outgoing finance director made some remarks about the “privilege” of exiting families. The district trades in class warfare rather than seeking big picture wins and hasn’t shown interest in why families are leaving in any actionable way (survey), just the finger pointing. So what have you got?
I would encourage you to check out All Together for Seattle Schools, the Special Education PTSA for good and pragmatic work on holding SPS accountable. Steer clear of Seattle Council PTSA as they’ve got a very cozy relationship with and serve as apologists to the district.
Love your energy. 10+ years in, I’m looking to endure rather than change the system.
Veteran
Our sons attended The Center School and the Biotech Academy at Ballard H.S. some years ago. It would not surprise me if both programs get axed in the name of equity. The social progressives on the board do not want anything that stands out from other schools. If it is different and serves upscale families, it needs to go.
District Watcher
Know what you can do right now? Ask around in SE Seattle and the Central area and find people to run against Hersey and Sarju. Hersey will have put in 6 years by November 2025 so will he run? He seems good with the cozy arrangement he has. But he and Sarju need to go. Rankin would be much less able to implement SOFU without those two.
Watching, I see that Director Gina Topp asks careful questions but doesn't say a lot. I was pleased to see that director questions/staff answers was actually on the agenda last night but I was not surprised to see Topp asking questions. (Rankin had one about the ability for student health centers being able to direct students to abortion services.)
I also see Director Evan Briggs very willing to push hard. But then again, she's Chandra Hampson's anointed successor.
District Watcher, yes, I worry for both those programs and Center is actually a school.