BIG Story from the Times on the New Superintendent
I had previously mentioned a mystery Board meeting tomorrow the 30th but it was listed as an Executive Session. Now, as reported by a new Times' story, there is an Executive Session and THEN a "special" Board meeting. Here's the agenda.
The meeting starts at 4:30 pm and yes, there will be public testimony allowed. However, there is a notation that the rules have changed and yet there is nothing about those changes.
Every item - every single one - is Intro and Action. Shame on the Board and staff for stuffing items onto a last minute meeting with little time for the public to view the documentation.
The big item is - Authorization to negotiate an employment contract for an Interim Superintendent. This would be with acting superintendent, Fred Podesta.
Via President Gina Topp:
I move that the School Board authorize the Board President, with the assistance of legal counsel,
to negotiate an employment contract with Fred Podesta to serve as Interim Superintendent, until
the appointment of the next District Superintendent or June 30, 2026, whichever occurs first. The
negotiated contract shall be presented to the Board for approval. Immediate action is in the best
interest of the District.
The Board has initiated a Superintendent search process, which is expected to extend into the
2025-26 school year. This action authorizes the Board President to negotiate an employment
contract with Mr. Podesta to serve as Interim Superintendent during the transition period. The
contract would extend through June 30, 2026, or until a new Superintendent is appointed,
whichever comes first.
Plus there's a presentation on the Strategic Plan! It's a pretty long presentation.
As I reported, the Board went from an early in the month Board meeting in July, only to schedule the next regular Board meeting in late August. Six weeks! Now they need to get Podesta settled as interim rather than acting superintendent and suddenly it's a flood of "need to get done" work.
If nothing else, this points to the need to BRING BACK TWO BOARD MEETING a month.
Here's one item - Approval of a contract with Verra Mobility for Stop Paddle Cameras and approval of two interlocal agreements with King County.
Between September 2016 and March 2017, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) piloted stop paddle cameras on 10 randomly selected First Student buses. Over 112 school days, 595 violations were recorded, which is an average of approximately one violation per day on half of the buses. Most violations occurred in the morning and afternoon, confirming a significant risk to student safety.
Based on these findings, the district moved to fully implement the stop paddle cameras on approximately 120 buses, issuing citations after a one-month warning period, and notifying the public through a communications campaign. On July 5, 2017, the Board approved the use of automated school bus safety cameras on District buses, pursuant to RCW 46.63.180.
Pursuant to authority granted by the Board on July 5, 2017, the district entered into an agreement with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) via the King County Directors Association (KCDA) contract RFP #12-220. ATS provided a full suite of services including camera installation, violation processing, data management, and support for public awareness and legal proceedings. The district paid ATS a $69 fee per verified violation.
The enforcement component of the stop paddle camera program was suspended after the agreement between SPS and King County expired in August 2022. At that time, King County chose not to renew the program, and without a contract in place, the King County Sheriff's Office ceased reviewing footage and issuing citations, effectively halting enforcement. In response, SPS explored with the City of Seattle alternative measures to continue providing enforcement of infractions and maintain student protection.
In 2024, King County expressed renewed interest in renewing the enforcement program, and new interlocal agreements have been negotiated. A renewed partnership with the County would allow SPS to once again issue citations and improve compliance with school bus safety laws.
Under the agreement, the district would pay Verra Mobility a $130 service fee for each event forwarded to King County law enforcement for review and confirmation of violation. Per the KCDA contract, Verra Mobility is also responsible for the following:
• Installation and maintenance of imaging and detection system
• Training and program management
• Public relations and outreach
• Event capture and processing
• Citation issuance (Printing and mailing)
• Reporting and analytics
• Payment and court support
There are two scenarios for costs and in one, the district loses money and in another they make money. Why would the district enter ANY plan where they might lose money?
They are moving two programs - Interagency Academy and the BRIDGES program, both at the Roxhill Annex - to other sites.
Another item is awarding a garbage and recycling contract.
Another item is a "Compensation Bulletin for non-Represented Staff" for 2025-2026.
Comments
The super search has been a joke since the beginning. The search firm is a joke. There are quite a few articles about their failures. But I don’t take other people’s word for it. I have attended most of their “engagements” and you can tell how ignorant on SPS the facilitators rae. They tell people “if you have complaints about staff, direct those to HR” LOL As if.
The also seem to ignore there is no real community engagement in this town so they are willing to conduct meetings that are poorly attended because all they want is to present their profile and scoot out of town.
Then of course they are pushing the deadline and will pat themselves on their backs because they put community first, deadlines later. Watch them do that.
I have nothing against Fred. He is fine. But we need more than fine so I hope a good candidate comes our way but I have little faith on this firm -HYA.
Someone with ore time in SPS, can you say if this si the same firm that brought Juneau to Seattle?
Now, strategic plan. A select group of people will put some stuff together under the direction of yet, another firm! It’s a shame we can’t do anything without someone holding our hand.
Not Happy