Seattle School Board Meeting - August 27, 2025
There are 18 people on the speakers list and most seem to be about safety issues including the return of SROs to SPS buildings.
There are 14 items on the Consent agenda which are too many and I'm sure not a single Board member will question anything. And yup, they passed the whole thing without any discussion of any item.
The contract for Acting Superintendent Fred Podesta is, of course, to be introduced AND acted upon in a single meeting. It is one of two Action items, the other being some progress monitoring calendar for the next five years.
I see something new added - a Safety update presentation. It is entitled:
School Board Director Briefing:
Safety and Security Department Updates
and Garfield High School Engagement Officer Pilot Updates
There are three Board policies around safety that have been updated: 3431 (Emergencies), 4210 (Weapons prohibitions), and 4320 (Relations with law enforcement, CPS, Public Health).
They stated that they have increased the number of Security Specialists from 45 FTE to 60 FTE. As well, they have three more Operations Supervisors and two Office Specialists to help support field staff and the district safety and security office. There will be "private security exterior patrols in Fall and Spring." I can't wait to hear about the reasoning for the latter and who exactly will be doing that work.
I'm live blogging so this won't be perfect.
On the dais are Superintendent Fred Podesta, President Gina Topp, Director Liza Rankin, Director Joe Mizrahi, Director Evan Briggs, and Director Michelle Sarju.
Director Brandon Hersey is remote as is Director Sarah Clark.
Superintendent Brent Jones is ALSO in attendance.
Topp mentioned that Montlake Elementary, Asa Mercer International Elementary, and John Rogers Elementary are opening in new buildings. Additionally, Rainier Beach High School is also opening for its first full year. All will have ribbon-cuttings.
Superintendent Podesta had remarks including this is " our favorite time of year as schools reopen. We will have a caring adult in every classroom."
Working on a new strategic plan with community and Taskforce feedback.
Working on next fiscal year budget. Thanks to the Legislature and our Seattle voters.
Superintendent Jones and his mother are here, stated President Topp. I get the feeling this was a last-minute decision.
Director Mizrahi read the proclamation for Dr. Jones. It was long but he has had a long career with SPS including a pandemic. Listening to all this, I have to wonder why he was pushed out. The Board didn't start clapping at the end but the audience did.
Clark stated that it was "a special moment" and had seen firsthand impact Jones has had on district.
Hersey said "I have nothing prepared" and that he and Dr. Jones had "been through it together." Many accomplishments to be proud of and glad as a black man to know such a great leader who is also black.
The use of the word(s) kind and kindness is striking. I can say as someone who knows Jones the use of that word is entirely merited.
Rankin - She said "Hi Brent" and giggled. Something about her making the best chocolate chip cookies and the teachers strike. Given she was the one who worked to push him out, I'm a little surprised at how effusive she is. I'm sure she means it but I have to wonder what he is thinking.
Sarju - I've been thinking a lot (and Brent knows what I mean). He announced leaving and that because of that she believed he was "raised right." She said something about he could have stayed (he is leaving in part because his wife has a new job in Santa Barbara). Could he have stayed? I didn't know that.
Topp - "Replaying the tape of our time together and we attended a funeral for a student together, standing shoulder to shoulder with the community. I was so proud you were our superintendent."
Briggs - Talked about Kenny G and Jones having gone to school at near the same time.
Jones was invited to the podium to give remarks. Thankful to entire SPS community. Standing on the shoulders of many past superintendents. I am the 23rd superintendent. I left it all on the table. Referenced his health and other family issues. Asked for support and commitment from the community. Hopes next superintendent gets full support. District of choice, no matter what anyone says.
Fred Podesta got up right away for applause but boy, it took the other directors some time to stand. Topp came down to give him flowers and a hug.
Speakers
Dre Say - Seattle resident, opposition to MOU between SPD and SPS. No guns or officers at Garfield, saying they would not support the anti-racist measures in SPS. Wants more funding for counselors, not cops. Somehow he ceded time to someone already on the speaker list, Sonya Herrera. She doesn't trust SPD not to have bias against POC at Garfield High.
Robert Engel - not present
Jake Milstein - Has a 6th grader at Blaine K-8, we need another teacher at Blaine. In 2020, his son missed pre-k/K because of COVID. Many kids have IEPs because of that. It was on the list to be closed later. Blaine will have highest enrollment since the pandemic. That 5th grade cohort will be in a large class or split class. Who has it out for K-8s?
Sonya Herrara - Somehow she gets to speak again. This is not normal procedure so I'm confused. She said more SPD cops are from rural areas without many POC. Worries about tough policing from SROs. She is highly suspicious.
Chris Jackins - Four contracts cost over $14M with Intro/Action, not adequate review. Overlake contract also includes Dartmore. Memorial Stadium story in Seattle Times, bid rigging? Student board members are being paid. Thanked Brent Jones for service.
Samantha Fogg - Parent of 3 SPS students and disabled parent. Thinking about safety in SPS has excluded those with disabilities. Need accessible alarm systems. No emergency plans for disabled in schools. Worried about Bridge program without accessible restrooms for disabled students. Referenced that HYA said they didn't work much with deaf and hard of hearing folks and did not know the word "ableism."
Janis White - Parent of 3 SPS graduates. Talked about contracts with private schools for Special Education students. The contracts doesn't mention how MANY students are being served. She asked many good questions including why does SPS have to send so many kids out of district instead of trying to serve them in Seattle Schools. Really just for severely disabled students.
Rilan Springer - She is a Garfield graduate. Sad to lose two students, Amar and Salvador. Students don't need to be protected, not policed. They should be around the buildings, not in. We need intervention specialists and we need more and deserve better. Garfield needs urgent action. Where was effort this summer to reach out? We don't want comfort, we want action. Don't be why there are more empty seats.
Sarah "Kate" Eriksen - not there
Kayla Epting - an SPS alum and black parent of SPS students. Talking about superintendent search, need a process outside of focus groups and community meetings. Students should be included. Called it a "closed process." Doesn't believe it's a meaningful search especially by October.
Athena McDermott - Garfield high recent grad. Worked in an elementary school, many were worried. Who can blame his parents for safety concerns? Don't want SROs unless addressing student needs. Outside community problems bleed into the school. Asking for change since Amar's death. I'm was a student and I know all about procrastination. Long live all these students.
Marie Hunt - A uniformed military commander in the Army. Fairness for orgs to share opportunities with Seattle high schools. Wants expansion from twice a year. Explained benefits. Want to ensure they learn about the opportunities in the military. Want to have open conversation.
Rosalynd Vaughn - not there
Jonathan Toledo - Wants to talk about police in schools and believes they will react with violence to student conduct. Been down this road already. We need more adult support and more training in deescalation.
Ndembo Helena Joao - not there
Kristin Wakes - Blaine rep and has two kids there. Missing a teacher there. Under 2 FTE policy, only moreteachers if there are 2. If enrollment doesn't support two, it doesn't happen. There was a waitlist that has moved. There will be 32 students in 5th and 4/5 classes. This harms schools across the district. High diversity schools have more flucuations than other schools. Prioritize administrative rules over student success.
Manuela Slye - member of SCPTSA and former SPS parent. Student safety is a concern. It has been shared with me in immigrant/refugee community is when child comes home safely. The Bridges program serves high need students but not proper communication about accessible bathrooms. Would like a public update.
Beth Daranciang - parent of two SPS grads. Liability that SPS is under because of gender policies, in education and practice. Europe has done studies that gender treatment more likely to harmful than helpful and have stopped. She believes that the message is being pushed that students can choose to be a boy or girl and it's harmful. She believes they are hiding info from parents. She also said SPS doesn't allow girls to object to boys in girls' bathrooms.
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