Seattle School Board Meeting for May 8, 2024 - Fasten Your Seatbelts

 Here's the agenda for tonight's Board meeting. I note that people can no longer sign up to speak at a Board meeting by phone. It is strictly by online sign-up. Not good.

Public Testimony seems to cover two topics. Apparently, the Chinese program at West Seattle High School is in jeopardy and there are several speakers for that issue. The other issue is, of course, school closures. There are six people on the waitlist.

Here's the latest from the Times which says that "Seattle Could Close about a quarter of its elementary schools." First, that would be a heck of a lot of schools (17) and two, only elementaries? My cynical side is that the district is throwing out a big number so they can "generously" only close 10-12. 

The article claims that the district is taking "$32M from its reserves" which is not true; they have no reserves. I think the reporter means capital reserves. 

I'll be tuning in with updates. 

 

4:15 pm and has the 4:15 pm Board meeting started? Of course not.

Look at that - new Board director Sarah Clark is finally here for her first meeting. I count six directors (Hersey is not there in person yet).

Superintendent's Comments

Direction of SPS, challenges, improvement, teacher appreciation week, your work is seen, appreciated and having a lasting effect on our students. 

Last Board meeting students upset about graduation dates and Muslim holiday. Ted Howard came forward with update. There was no REAL update, just some blah, blah. 

End of comments

Student School Board Director Comments - Luna Crone-Baron

Thanked teachers at Nathan Hale High School that she attends. AP test week for all high schools and good luck to all. Mentioned other students rising up to stand up for political issues. She admires them and has a sister at UCLA. Worried about the strife in doing so. Public schools should break down barriers and uplift students. 

End of comments

Rankin says the Board is still working on public engagement "hopefully next week." Again, tick tock, time's a'wasting.  

June 8th - 10 am on district calendar for a public meeting in Director Gina Topp's district. 

Shot of the audience - I see some red SEA shirts.

Public Testimony

( To note, President Rankin let every single speaker go on and on. It's just exhausting but it seems she has no courage to stop them.)

Gavin - senior at WSHS in Chinese program for 4 years. Ms Yu, Chinese teacher, being transferred to Denny Middle School. He is very proud of this program at WSHS and wants her to stay. 400 signatures on petition.

Kai - Senior at WSHS and also joined Chinese program as frosh. Their teacher is vital to the strong program they have. Too many people who want to join. 

Hala Mana'o - There will be a substitute principal at Rainier View Elementary School. Wondering about investigation there vis a vis previous principal who was problematic.

Ben Gitenstein - Vote no on Superintendent's plan. Proposal has premise of smaller schools as the root of the financial problems. More people have to believe that neighborhood schools are default because they are good. You'd need to have mass layoffs to truly save money. Good news is many people who will support you if you stop this program.

Chris Jackins - 

1) oppose adoption because of discovery approach - vote no on adoptions

2) opposes end of phone-in for being on public testimony

3) Ask state auditor to examine issues at SPS

4) Plan will close schools and it will be destructive

5) Worried about Intro/Action for big decisions with 4 new directors

Samantha Fogg - SCPTSA president. We ask that terms be defined tonight. Looking for information on input and guidance. Families are not mechanisms for fund-raising but are partners.

Diane Tiao - Teacher at Wing Luke Elementary. I feel helpless in system and policies that affect me every day. Basically, "tough luck." School communities need more. She believes that JSCEE staff need to volunteer in schools to know them. Multiple opportunities for meetings and childcare provided.

Robert Cruickshank - parent of 3 kids in SPS. Plan has minimal participation. Cannot impose something on us. No mandate from public for that. Where is the financial analysis for public viewing? What about racial equity impact? Can be disruptive without real consideration to impact for kids. Mentioned charters have right of first refusal for any empty buildings. Look at alternatives.

Kelli Perletti - West Seattle HS staff. Chinese program being cut back and all teachers are native speakers and staff of color. During AAPI month and during teacher appreciation week? Why? Ceded to senior and president of Pacific Asian students club. Very serious and found a culture that I love, important to see what makes me happy and could be passed onto future generations. My teacher goes above and beyond "and has made me the man I am today."

Claire Abe - counselor at Cleveland High. We do not have a counselor at every elementary or middle school. (Mentioned something about funds for counselors coming from Running Start?)

Caitlin Collins - Moving waitlists to complete enrollment at option schools. At Salmon Bay K-8. District is not fully enrolling Salmon Bay, despite waitlists. Most options would be fully enrolled. Family and staff are confused. Need to retain families and not moving waitlists is not good. Is SPS intentionally underenrolling Option Schools?

Jennifer Hall - Resource and inclusion teacher at West Seattle HS. Solidarity with students to retain Chinese programs. That teacher is Ms. Yu is one of the most inclusive teachers in our building. Students love her. Great assemblies and growth of program. "I'm all for seniority but innovation is important." 

Jessica Pierce - Access to Nino Cantu Complex - Junction FC soccer - wants more access to facilities and SPS is making it very difficult for their program.

Yong'en Longmeier - WSHS Chinese program - parent of WSHS student. Ms. Yu has been the most dedicated teacher. Over 200 students tried to enroll because the program "is the talk of the school." Worked with students who wanted to take the AP Chinese test.

Cameron Moore - WSHS grad and was a student of Ms. Yu. Immediately the whole class loved her. Fun teaching style but helps kids get out of their comfort zone. He did a dragon dance because of her. Need to grow this program.

Ying Yu - This was the beloved Chinese teacher at WSHS. Third year at SPS. Built program from the ground up. Grown in to full-time program with 150 students and a long waitlist. Started Lunar New Year celebration and it's still going on. Chinese Counsel General from San Francisco came to visit.

Uti Hawkins - SPS teacher, now a parent of a child in the district. What is the focus of this district, where is the humanity? Contracts coming up soon. My question - where is is our focus? We need to talk to each with dignity; staff and parents need to be part of the system.

Steve Mohundro - parent at WSHS and supports Ms. Yu. Both his Chinese-born students want to take the class. Budget challenges and seniority cannot be the only measures.

Matthew Van Duyn - WSHS history teacher. Please be convinced of her brilliance. Important to global context (he has a PhD in History). Ms. Yu and the program is truly building bridges. We just cannot cut this program - why? 

Kadie Bell Sata - Please show your work and make budget collaborative with communities. Short-sighted solutions will continue to weaken the system. 

end of public testimony

President Rankin found information in the Board office regarding Superintendent's Plan. Things the Board does and doesn't have control over. She says, "we all need to examine our own role and responsibility for situation." I'm not sure who she is referring to.

This is not new what is to be discussed. Study done... but she doesn't say when this was done or who did it. She asks to guess what year - it's 1990. Done for Legislature. Says that all of it is the same as the Moss Adams in 2018 - meaning, the same issues with the Board and the Superintendent. 

Yes, THEY did close schools - I was on that committee and boy, was it done differently. As well, it all turned out to be a BIG mistake. 

She is so sure that they now have the right team on both sides. Really? 

She's just going on and on and I guess it is to slap down any discussion. Studies say it's so, so it is!

She says that recommendations were backed off on. I hope all of this is available online. She says "fear made people pull back." 

"We need adults willing to be uncomfortable to keep focus on kids, so they can have it better."

Thank you, President Rankin, for the lecture and obvious support - already - for the Superintendent's plan.

They went on a break, not even an hour and a half into the session. Didn't even get the Consent Agenda done and that's one vote!

Consent Agenda

Rankin removes the meeting minutes that Clark wasn't there for.

All of it passes. 

Director Hersey is now here.

Action Items

First up - the plan to take money from Capital Funds (in two ways) as well as not repay the Rainy Day fund right away. This is an Intro and Action item.

Kurt Buttleman, Finance guy, is talking. He didn't introduce himself and the subtitles have disappeared.

Questions? Silence. Dead silence. Wow. Who are these people that have no questions about a HUGE budget plan?

Sarju says, "If you are confused, so are we." Why is that funny?

Passes unanimously. 

For next Action Item - the Superintendent's Plan - the Board is moving to tables for a presentation. Senior staff will be joining them. Nice to see some people in the audience staying. 

Superintendent Jones starts the presentation and speaks of "a crossroads" for the district. Trying to stabilize system to 2030. Went into presentation of "well-resourced schools."

468 is best size for elementaries, says Jones. But they have weird population numbers - 515, 468, 230, 217, 165.

Director questions

Director Evan Briggs loves the idea of Pre-K in every building. Creates new pathways for enrollment. 

Director Brandon Hersey likes the "Benefits of Well-Resourced Schools" slide. Can partner with more public health entities.  He mentions "AP" but he doesn't mean Advanced Placement but Assistant Principal. If you are having elementaries over 400+, yes, you need an AP.

President Rankin spoke about the difficulty of being a .5 teacher at two different schools. 

Director Hersey also thinks parents at small schools will be worried about closure. Could be situation with smaller school that has capacity for more students that's a good fit for its community than one at a larger size? 

Jones says that isn't accurate. (I'm guessing they don't want anything under 450 but I think Hersey was trying to think of a way to save some small schools.)

Director Sarah Clark said it's an "emotional topic" and looks like a well-thought out plan. She thinks it all aligns with what students and parents have said they want. 

Director Gina Topp talked about stability in many areas, in services we provide our students. "What you can expect and receive" to students and parents. One can hope so. She says "we did the engagement" and having more. Well, if you like facilitated meetings, sure. 

Director Briggs talked about a matrix about how it will impact staffing at secondary schools. 

Jones says the enrollment challenge is at elementary level. Asked Fred Podesta to speak on this. He said capacity vs enrollment gap is coming in the presentation. Changes to middle school attendance areas might happen (and boy, that'll be fun.) He said there were a couple of smaller high schools but didn't name them.

President Rankin said Briggs might be asking about WWS. More students being in fewer places. Would this increase resources at the secondary level? Briggs said what at happens at elementary level will provide for secondary schools? 

I would agree that any school under 200 - unless serving a special population - might be a candidate. But also, building condition is a pretty unfair item because schools have NO way of upgrading their buildings. NO way to influence being on a BEX list. 

Sarju is saying students were asked and told us what they wanted. Not an easy conversation to have but if we center on students, we are including teachers. We can provide teachers with reliability and stability in teaching.

Editor's note - I hear not a single note of confusion or challenge from any director. Astonishing. 

Hersey, Given we have two goals on 7th grade reading and math, I would like to see the students who are impacted by these decisions get more help as well as breaking those students out so we can be proactive to help them, before and after transition. Look at those students in longevity. Wants to know if there are negative impacts, we support them.

Editor's note - YES, closing a school negatively impacts most of the students. Period. 

I don't know where Hersey thinks the money will come for that. 

Jones said that is "an appropriate and heavy lift" and will allocate $5M for that work. Jones says that wasn't done before - I do believe it was. I can't believe the amount gaslighting staff is doing.

Director Joe Mizrahi spoke about Special Education needs in a smaller school, resource intensive. 

President Rankin said we have schools that close and students move to interim when buildings are renovated and we know how to mitigate it.

Podesta said their experience with interim sites, SPS has learned a lot. Will have to be attentive and that history will help us. (No mention of asking what happened last time they closed schools. No historical perspective AT ALL.) He is confident in the "technical side" of knowing what to do.

Return to Presentation

It appears their thinking is 50 sites with 10 elementary schools per region, "give or take."

Jones says they will ask communities if they "got it right" and want to be "flexible." The district is NOT going to be flexible. (Jones slipped and called Hersey "president.")

Hersey - we are looking to "impact" 20 elementaries. If we ID those 20, want to know demographic data, Special Education, etc.  Is the 10 number of schools going to safeguard us against growth numbers? Jones says yes. Hersey thought it curious if you have smaller school and population of students furthest away from educational justice if we are going to be as least disruptive to those students, would we look closing a school that has a higher number of students and fewer students furthest away from educational justice?

Rankin talked about conditions in buildings and these students deserving better. 

Hersey is definitely drawing a line. I think it's not going to work because of where people live in this city. Is he saying save more schools with certain demographics? Oh my.

Rankin - don't know in 1990 if they were talking about portables. Again, oh my. Of course they were. Rankin says Harrell called her about Comprehensive Plan and he wants to be supportive in any way that he can. (Here's your opening, parents, to go all out to the Mayor and City Council.) She's just going on and on. 

Podesta on portables. Building condition and learning environment are important and when we get to next stage - what's the best way to serve 23,000 students? Looking for schools to keep open more than looking for ones to close. Really?

He says portables is not part of their vision. And he wants to get rid of current portables.

Director Topp - closing schools is difficult. What led you to that, Superintendent?

Jones "we have to be efficient and have stability." "We can't be an excellent organization without that. "Focused on innovation for next Strategic Plan."

Rankin said she thought enrollment was the big issue when she came on Board. Referencing this report that I hope will be available to all (I believe I know which study she is currently speaking of.) She's acting like previous board NEVER considered enrollment before. This is such a trend with the Board over the last several years - believing every Board before them was lax and lacked any good sense.

Jones wants to work with City for "One Seattle." 

Mitzrahi has to leave for a flight and rearranged it to "be here." FFS! Are you on the Board or not?

What happens to staff? Friends at school? are some of his concerns. "Make it a comfortable transition as possible." 

Rankin stops meeting with news cars are being towed on Third Avenue and several teachers scramble.

Briggs "A system of well-resourced schools - all schools?" Jones "ultimately but this effort is started with elementary." Briggs - what is there for the larger system?" I missed her next question. "Focused on elementaries and I get why but not clear at what point does this trickle to secondary schools, creating entire system?" 

Jones projects that Strategic Plan will have those elements and this effort is bringing stability. 

Rankin - will have smaller number elementary students and may have then talk about do we project this smaller number of students will be in secondary. 

I believe she is talking about maybe closing some middle and high schools at some point.  (Podesta tried to walk this back a bit but "it's not ironclad." Of course not.)

She sounds so light-hearted about this project.

"Fix, sustain and then innovation." And it'll be about progress and performance. This from Jones.

Briggs says communication is really important and that parents may not understand, the plan is multiple phased.

Briggs says she understands but a good idea of painting a picture because it's not consolidation. 

Clark asked about slide 5 about history of where they are. It looks like Phase One to her. 

Bev Redmond is speaking now on communication. We will have community sessions "in a couple of weeks." Some will be "hybrid." They need to clarify all this information with staff as well as public.  

Back to Jones and the page of "What Can You Do?" page. 

End of presentation. 

Meeting was scheduled to go until 8:30pm and ends around 7:30 pm. Just not enough questions from directors. It must be manna for the staff.