On Feeling Safe in Seattle Public Schools, February 23, 2025

One, I'm speaking of employee security - free from HIB (harassment, intimidation, and bullying) by administrators. 

Two, I'm speaking of student security - free from fear of other students who use HIB and/or threats of violence. 

I had a long talk with a trusted source who knows SPS on an educator/administrator level. It's clear to me that there are STILL senior-level people who seem to act unfettered by anyone above them AND they get away with it. 

On Employee Security

My info is that there is an HIB investigation going about the alleged behavior of Dr. Mike McCarthy who is the NE Executive Director. Apparently (and allegedly) he makes mysognistic statements to women administrators who work in the various schools in his region especially at the middle and high school level. Those would be Eckstein MS, Jane Addams MS, Nathan Hale HS, and Roosevelt HS. 

I note that Dr. McCarthy came out of the U.S. Army, having been part of that group for 25 years in the U.S. Army National Guard and Reserves. He may have a different idea about authority from that experience. 

Some of you may know that there has been no small amount of churn at the principal and AP level at several middle/high schools. I see that at the Seattle Schools Roosevelt page, they have an update on "school leadership" from January 29, 2026. Assistant Principal Ivory Brooks is to be the interim principal until the end of the school year. It also states:

We understand how challenging it can be when leadership plans change. We also recognize the strain that shifting expectations place on a school. Our priority is ensuring stability, clarity, and strong leadership for our school communities.

Considering this, Seattle Public Schools will not move forward with the previously announced appointment of Principal Kristin Rose to Roosevelt High School. She will continue in her role as principal of Eckstein Middle School. We want to extend our appreciation to Principal Rose for her willingness to support the Roosevelt community. Her dedication and professionalism are valued across the district.

Regional Executive Director Chris Carter has been assigned to Roosevelt to assist Interim Principal Brooks and provide additional stability for the school.

A lot to unpack there. 

The previous RHS principal, Tami Brewer, had been exited from the school over football team recruiting violations (and there's yet another story I'd like to dive into considering the district still has these odd recruits coming into sports programs). Oddly, one SPS webpage says Ms. Brewer is still there but the official RHS page does not. 

Now the district wanted Eckstein principal Kristin Rose to move into that RHS principal position and initially it was announced she was going to RHS. But apparently, she declined. (My source said it was allegedly more like "no and hell no.")  Rose has been at Eckstein for nine years. 

They had moved a Hale HS AP Ambyr Burrell, to Eckstein but she returned to Hale and was there when school started this year but she's gone now. 

Hale's principal is Jolene Grimes Edwards and she has just one AP, Kirsten Zoba, with the one AP opening left by Burrell. It is very sad that any principal of a large high school to have just one permanent AP. That they moved an Executive Director (somewhat) in to an AP role is also head-shaking. 

This might circle back to McCarthy because my intel says that he was making administrator moves within his region without telling HR first. That might be the issue with this confusion. Hard to say for sure. 

Maybe this investigation can shed light on the situation.

On Student Security

It's clear to me that no one knows what to do about student safety and, for now, nothing is being done (except a snail's pace installation of cameras). I am baffled that Facilities Projects hasn't made this Job #1 but, of course, if no one above them tells them that is Job #1, then they won't pick up the pace. 

My source says gangs are indeed a problem in some Seattle High Schools. The source said that most of those schools are 15 students away from near-perfection. "Those students are a danger to themselves and other students." 

I just don't know what to say at this point but hand-wringing and platitudes are not helping.