Seattle Schools Community Forum

  I was going to write my own but this write-up from The Bulletin has loads of good info. Apparently, the talks are going slowly with less than a month to go when school starts. Here are some points to keep in mind: - The Superintendent and staff negotiate with SEA officials. The Board has no role in negotiations but can encourage the Superintendent to come to a timely agreement. Plus: At the July 8 board meeting, Director Joe Mizrahi  proposed a resolution  regarding bargaining. The resolution calls for the Superintendent to "continue to engage in collective bargaining in good faith and in a manner that reflects mutual respect, transparency, and a collaborative approach with the District’s labor partners.” It also calls for the Superintendent to “negotiate agreements that advance the District’s long-term fiscal well-being” to tackle the district’s budget challenges. Mizrahi’s resolution  passed unanimously . The Board can also authorize the Superintendent to take le...

Update: From The Seattle Times , a story that SPS is appealing to an appeals court over an $8M judgment against them " in which a former math teacher hit a then-middle school student and ejected him from the classroom." The district first wanted a new trial but that got nixed (along with the defendant's claims that his constitutional rights were violated by the district.) The district has not laid out the specific grounds for its appeal, but the notices filed indicate it is asking a higher court to review the rulings in the case, including the final November judgment, the denial of a new trial and a portion of the order on Sheikhibrahim’s attorney’s fees. A new firm, Seattle-based Carney Badley Spellman, has joined the district’s team. “We would much prefer that this process was done and that the verdict be left undisturbed,” said Lara Hruska, one of the lead attorneys representing Sheikhibrahim.   The jury found the district responsible for Sheikhibrahim’s injuries and v...

That didn't take long.  Via The Urbanist : Councilmembers Reverse Course After Backlash  to Universal School Meal Delay The day after voting to delay the program, the Seattle City Council is moving to ensure students attending K-12 public schools in Seattle will be able to enjoy universal school meals starting this fall.  That would mean the amendment that was offered by several City Council members would postpone universal meals for a year so they can fund a food voucher program for weekends and school breaks for students who already are qualified for free school meals.  They state that Mayor Wilson wants to pay for it out of the FEPP ( Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise  ) levy. But that could change in a couple of years. The Washington State Legislature is planning to use revenue from the newly passed millionaires tax, assuming it survives the legal and electoral challenges against it, to fund universal school meals for all public school students in ...

Following up on the public meeting about the athletic field for Lincoln High School , a story from KOMO News: S eattle Public Schools is pushing ahead with a plan to build a new athletic field for Lincoln High School in Lower Woodland Park, but the proposal is drawing backlash over the potential removal of dozens of trees. Initial reports from arborists suggest approximately 80 trees would need to be cleared to build the field. Activists with Tree Action Seattle are trying to block the project, saying the trees help cool the surrounding area and remove air pollutants.   Initial reports from arborists suggest approximately 80 trees would need to be cleared to build the field. Activists with Tree Action Seattle are trying to block the project, saying the trees help cool the surrounding area and remove air pollutants. I have heard pro-field folks say these are not important trees as in specialty trees but yes, all trees contribute in an urban landscape. They do get one thing wrong - ...