What Will Happen Wednesday's Special Board Meeting?

Update 2:

I see by the Board calendar that they already have a couple of Work Sessions on November 5th. One is on "progress monitoring" and the other is "tech safety." I would hope that if they were making an announcement on their superintendent pick, they would not make people wait until the end of all that.

end of update

Update:

I received this comment:

Late last night SPS Media sent an advisory that there will not be a vote/announcement today and they expect that on November 5. They also said the board is still not planning to publicly identify the two finalists, only the one eventually chosen.

First, I have to wonder why this feels dragged out. They need another three hours to figure this out?

Second, I guess the Board wants a completely stand-alone meeting to make the announcement, possibly so the candidate can be there? They could vote today (after they get out of executive session) WITHOUT revealing names as they did at the meeting last week, making the November 5th meeting just the announcement.

I'm still going to tune in.

Third, I actually just wrote to Superintendent Podesta last week about me being media. I have been considered media by SPS (and the City and Senator Patty Murray's office) for quite a long time. But SPS Communications will not get back to me on any questions. I would just like clarification either way.

end of update

The Board is to have another "special meeting" on Wednesday from 4:30-7:30 pm. It had one meeting a week ago and the agendas are exactly the same except for the time. This week's meeting is one hour shorter.

Call to Order 4:30 p.m.

Executive Session:

• To evaluate the qualifications of applicants for public employment. RCW 42.30.110(1)(g).

Discussion Item:

• Next steps in Superintendent selection process

Adjourn 7:30 p.m.*

I will be tuning in for sure.

Do they really need three more hours to hash out the differences/highlights of the two remaining finalists? I would think at this point in the superintendent search that the Board is mostly on the same page and that this is one last due diligence measure. 

I do not know if they might discuss if HYA's extreme vetting has uncovered anything about either candidate. Maybe if someone is on the fence about the choice, that might help them out.

I can see the Board making the announcement then. They do need to vote on it and they did trim the finalist list by a vote at a Special Meeting so it's entirely possible. 

As well, the next Board meeting is not until November 19th. When I first reported this out, I noted that it would be well over a month between October's meeting on the 8th and the next meeting on the 19th. I can't see the Board waiting until then to make an announcement. 

Also to note, the Board meeting on November 19th will see the oath of office taken by whoever gets elected for the four Board seats. 

The Seattle Times had an editorial the other day:

Seattle Public Schools families: Meet the new boss with an open mind

But of course. This person deserves a welcome. I always send a letter to the new superintendent, welcoming that person and explaining who I am and telling them that they are always welcome to contact me if they have questions. I generally do hear from them which makes me happy.

Apart from crushing budget deficits, the biggest problem facing Seattle Public Schools is, arguably, the deep and abiding distrust many parents hold toward this district. 

That manifests in dwindling enrollments, a lack of belief in managerial competency and ongoing accusations of cronyism.As well, there is the uncomfortable truth that a public process is likely to spark intense lobbying from interest groups, such as the teachers’ and principals’ unions. Keeping deliberations private cuts some of that noise.

But of course everyone in Seattle connected to public education would want to weigh in once they heard from the finalists. Seattle is very process-oriented and also dedicated to public education. I hope whoever comes in realizes that there are many groups that will want/demand an audience.

The Board asked for a 100-day plan from the finalists (and I hope they have the good grace to allow the public to read the winning plan). Well, I think one of the top three items should be meeting the people.

Among the top community demands: No current district employees. That immediately eliminated several prospects. Criteria No. 2: Seattle’s new school leader must be currently working elsewhere as a superintendent. No bright-eyed novices who need time to get up to speed.

Let's see if all that comes true. While it's true SPS doesn't need some newbie to be superintendent, every single superintendent needs time to get up to speed. 

Also, I do hope HYA did their due diligence on background checks. It's surprising what can get missed.

They (the Board) also know that with an election just two weeks away, some directors could lose their seats over anger at this opacity.

I doubt that.

At this point, Seattle families have little choice but to hope the right person has arrived, and to believe the school board recognizes them in this moment of greatest need.

Well that's a bit tepid but also accurate.

This pick is absolutely on the Board.