tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1114791977976792667..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Education UpdatesMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91643016978188552852015-07-24T22:48:22.762-07:002015-07-24T22:48:22.762-07:00@Dist6 Parent - thanks! There are a lot of "c...@Dist6 Parent - thanks! There are a lot of "channels" of information, but Melissa (and her team) rock! and I so appreciate everything they do day in and day out for public education in Seattle. That's another area in which I differ greatly from Mike. My son graduated from NOVA - and I'm a huge supporter of Seattle Public Schools. That the HALA report tosses Seattle Schools under the bus is unacceptable. Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21198607734574750872015-07-24T11:35:39.961-07:002015-07-24T11:35:39.961-07:00Thanks for the info - I always think that SPS admi...Thanks for the info - I always think that SPS administration is bloated and that more money could be diverted from that to the individual schools. Why is Mr. Nyland still allowing more new hiring in Administration. I thought he would start combining jobs and weeding things out there.Dist6 Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30366628587315681172015-07-24T11:26:06.439-07:002015-07-24T11:26:06.439-07:00@ Catherine
So glad you added your comments here. ...@ Catherine<br />So glad you added your comments here. I have been very disappointed about Mike O'Brien's overall stance on the HALA recommendations as well as handling of other District 6 issues that should require critical thinking, representation of all constituents, public discourse and disclosure. It seems that the pushback he is getting is forcing a change in his story. He will not be getting my vote in the upcoming elections and I hope everyone makes their voices known in every district through the voting process.<br />-Dist6 ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27303207614583261192015-07-24T09:29:49.404-07:002015-07-24T09:29:49.404-07:00Thanks Melissa for the summary. I'd like to ad...Thanks Melissa for the summary. I'd like to add here, that Mike was told long ago about the lack of community engagement in the HALA process, and did nothing. He knew there had been a community engagement in the Low Rise Code Corrections, and let selected HALA committee members gut the proposal that he tried to push through. So while we are saying about the same thing now, this is a recent change and he's come my direction. Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78944699260874153812015-07-24T08:42:58.941-07:002015-07-24T08:42:58.941-07:00Hand, yes, that was very odd and has not been the ...Hand, yes, that was very odd and has not been the norm in the past.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7716574095613404992015-07-23T17:26:20.136-07:002015-07-23T17:26:20.136-07:00Speaking of the super, I thought it was very stran...Speaking of the super, I thought it was very strange for Nyland to invite board candidates to his office for a meeting. What do you suppose happened at the meeting? Is it normal for the superintendent to hold a candidate meeting?<br /><br /><br />--The handAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39917453860703561822015-07-23T15:04:38.709-07:002015-07-23T15:04:38.709-07:00The hand wrote:
The board works for the public (s...The hand wrote:<br /><br /><i>The board works for the public (students) not Nyland.</i><br /><br />Theoretically yes … but….<br /><br />Given the number of times past boards have preferred CYA over meeting needs of students, I am not sure for whom the board works.<br /><br />-- Dan Dempsey Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34873609873241485652015-07-23T13:27:32.407-07:002015-07-23T13:27:32.407-07:00As for SPED, Nyland and his gang have had plenty o...<br />As for SPED, Nyland and his gang have had plenty of time to do the right thing, but have refused or worst they simply don't know what to do. That's going to change either by the new board's will or by a court order. The board works for the public (students) not Nyland. Nyland is by the way a only temp, so he should be used to enforce the board's will on the district. The time has come for the board to micromanage SPED compliance! The time has come to split off SPED management from teaching and learning. The time has come for a separate board committee for SPED oversight.<br /><br />I hope ALL of the new board candidates understand who they are accountable to and it's not Nyland. One of the most important responsibilities of the new board will be hiring a long term superintendent who works for the students and demands the best from the SPS staff. <br /><br />--The hand Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42149442533514584772015-07-23T13:07:55.475-07:002015-07-23T13:07:55.475-07:00But as long as SPS is marginally in compliance wit...But as long as SPS is marginally in compliance with IDEA, and OSPI continues to receive citizen complaints like that at Stevens, then Nyland's complaints will ring hollow.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46231525768957013422015-07-23T12:55:40.318-07:002015-07-23T12:55:40.318-07:00E.R. Alvarez is Enrollment Planning'a admin. ...E.R. Alvarez is Enrollment Planning'a admin. Brent Kroon is the interim director.Joe Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747791661117554332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60159323092449091252015-07-23T12:32:04.216-07:002015-07-23T12:32:04.216-07:00The hand, I agree but I'm sure the powers that...The hand, I agree but I'm sure the powers that be have a plan.<br /><br />Any actions on the part of a new Board majority (whoever that turns out to be) will be viewed as interference or micromanaging. Nyland will complain, loudly and in public. The drumbeat will start that SPS can't get anything done because of these new people on the Board.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17296497838893156192015-07-23T10:42:01.209-07:002015-07-23T10:42:01.209-07:00If SPS thinks it's going to be business as usu...If SPS thinks it's going to be business as usual in special ed come November 14th they are in for a very big surprise.<br /><br />New board accountability is on its way, so the bloated central administration staff better start looking for SPS teaching positions or a different employer. <br /><br />--The handAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69596180758788095652015-07-23T09:12:50.233-07:002015-07-23T09:12:50.233-07:00Let's not forget the 100s of special education...Let's not forget the 100s of special education central staffers - feeding at the trough. Formerly called "consulting teachers", to describe what they did NOT do. Many have less than 5 years experience. Now they are called "program specialists" - to let everyone know what they do NOT know anything about. How could they? They have no experience. There are also myriads of special ed supervisors, and triplicate executives. Nearly all unqualified, and on their paths out of special ed. Some, were never in special ed at all. They need to prove that they have expertise in collecting as much salary as possible, for wasting as much money as possible hiring outside consultants, and spending plenty of dough sending students to maximumally expensive out of district placements. They also get to practice complaining about students with disabilities, a useful skill when these bureaucrats subsequently move out, and up the food chain.<br /><br />Reader 48Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77354918884028839122015-07-23T08:46:30.781-07:002015-07-23T08:46:30.781-07:00I think that Michael Tolley delegating oversight o...I think that Michael Tolley delegating oversight of the oversight of principals is going to result in another round of nothing. He doesn't ask much of the education directors and now the whole thing will be even one step further removed. I can't understand why these people are not direct reports to the Superintendent, even the placeholder Superintendent that we have now who really should have more accountability as to how these education directors operate. And how do they operate in regards to the Special Education Director of Student Services? <br /><br />Reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20445196328839151752015-07-23T08:32:20.268-07:002015-07-23T08:32:20.268-07:00Melissa, I believe E.R. Alvarez is the admin to Br...Melissa, I believe E.R. Alvarez is the admin to Brent Kroon, who seems to still be around, and still interim. Tracy Libros is a hard one to replace.<br /><br />Just sayin'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60833427668156870952015-07-23T03:26:36.723-07:002015-07-23T03:26:36.723-07:00Dan, bonuses would produce Beacon Hill times 10. I...<i>Dan, <b>bonuses would produce Beacon Hill times 10</b>. I will judge each school by the lowest performing student. AKA<br /><br />US Marines </i><br />------<br />If that is true, then we definitely need to stop excessive sentences for small non-violent drug crimes so there will be enough room in prison for fraudulent school employees.<br />Given the sentences in Atlanta, would SPS school employees choose to cheat for bonuses?<br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Public_Schools_cheating_scandal" rel="nofollow"><b>In Atlanta there were jail sentences</b></a><br /><br />178 teachers and principals were found to have corrected answers entered by students. The size of the scandal has been described as one of the largest in United States history.<br /><br />Teachers who confessed to cheating blamed "inordinate pressure" to meet targets set by the district and said they faced severe consequences such as a negative evaluation or <b>termination</b> if they didn't. <br /><br />On April 1, 2015, eleven of the twelve teachers accused of being involved in the scandal were <b>convicted on racketeering charges.</b><br /><br />Sentences<br /><br /> Donald Bullock: Weekends in jail for 6 months, $5,000 fine, 5 years of probation and 1,500 hours of community service.<br /> <b>Sharon Davis-Williams: 20 years in prison, seven to serve, $25,000 fine and 2,000 hours of community service.<br /> Tamara Cotman: 20 years in prison, seven to serve, $25,000 fine and 2,000 hours of community service.<br /> Michael Pitts: 20 years in prison, seven to serve, $25,000 fine and 2,000 hours of community service.</b><br /> Dana Evans: 5 years in prison, one to serve, and 1,000 hours of community service.<br /> Angela Williamson: 5 years in prison, two to serve, $5,000 fine and 1,500 hours of community service.<br /> Tabeeka Jordan: 5 years in prison, two to serve, $5,000 fine and 1,500 hours of community service.<br /> Diane Buckner-Webb: 5 years in prison, one to serve, $1,000 fine, 1,000 hours in community service and first offender treatment.<br /> Theresia Copeland: 5 years in prison, one to serve, $1,000 fine and 1,000 hours of community service.<br /> Pamela Cleveland: 5 years probation, home confinement for a year from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and community service.<br /><br />------<br />I doubt any of the Atlanta racketeers have a teaching or administrator's credential any longer. Anyone at Beacon Hill school convicted and sitting in prison?<br /><br />Those cheaters that got caught will be hoping for the elimination of the check-boxes on employment applications that ask about committed felonies. <br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53676064035655364732015-07-22T21:51:25.638-07:002015-07-22T21:51:25.638-07:00Right and they moved $14M from the Capital budget ...Right and they moved $14M from the Capital budget to the General Fund and I have never heard what they are spending it on. Why the Board did not press them on this issue, I don't know.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65415232232312291332015-07-22T18:31:19.115-07:002015-07-22T18:31:19.115-07:00Just noticed: Since 2013, Central Administration ...Just noticed: Since 2013, Central Administration has grown by $8.3m.Another Namenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48332957688339994372015-07-22T18:29:21.506-07:002015-07-22T18:29:21.506-07:00See Page 38:
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION
11 Board of ...<br />See Page 38:<br /><br /><br />CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION<br />11 Board of Directors $ 4,377,610 $ 2,603,840 $ 4,270,653<br />12 Superintendent's Office 5,263,869 5,515,745 6,418,660<br />13 Business Office 5,790,899 6,207,175 6,980,623<br />14 Human Resources 4,685,999 4,705,558 5,283,638<br />15 Public Information 490,227 500,189 623,449<br />21 Supervision of Instruction 11,886,009 14,331,199 16,131,620<br />41 Supervision of Nutrition Services 766,624 916,965 904,898<br />51 Supervision of Transportation 1,125,084 1,648,618 1,876,805<br />61 Supervision of Maintenance and Operation 836,484 1,010,144 1,093,617<br />TOTAL CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION $ 35,222,804 $ 37,439,433 $ 43,583,963<br /><br />Since 2013, the district has added $4.2M to "Supervision of Instruction". Total central administrative expenditure is $43.5M. Central administrative should not be above 5% of budget. Do the math.Another Namenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76233963898941632362015-07-22T17:38:57.928-07:002015-07-22T17:38:57.928-07:00Dan, bonuses would produce Beacon Hill times 10. I...Dan, bonuses would produce Beacon Hill times 10. I will judge each school by the lowest performing student. AKA <br /><br />US Marines Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77221605386053820772015-07-22T16:40:29.392-07:002015-07-22T16:40:29.392-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35482800744538338702015-07-22T14:47:54.998-07:002015-07-22T14:47:54.998-07:00He says he only agreed to sign off on the mayor’s ...<i>He says he only agreed to sign off on the mayor’s grand bargain <b>if his own independent analysis confirmed the mayor’s staff analysis</b> that the new proposal bested O’Brien’s in terms of housing production.</i><br /><br />WOW does this bring back memories of SPS staff prepared School Board Action Reports. So many SBARs were based on fantasy without any regard for facts.<br /><br />Amen to more School Members with a questioning attitude. (rather than rubber stamping)<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91031833127371887072015-07-22T14:40:04.634-07:002015-07-22T14:40:04.634-07:00Reader 47, I have said what you are saying all alo...Reader 47, I have said what you are saying all along. That the Board does not realize this is troubling.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78596697174617260212015-07-22T14:27:51.091-07:002015-07-22T14:27:51.091-07:00Interesting - they are always insisting that Centr...Interesting - they are always insisting that Central Admin is less than 6% of the total budget, but if you look at the document "Care about" linked to above, there are some fairly, well, "crafty" ways of breaking up what most of us would consider Central Administrative functions into smaller chunks:<br />Teaching Support = 9.5%<br />School Admintration = 6.1%<br />Other support services = 15.5%<br />Central Administration =5.8%<br />All of that adds up to a whopping 36.9% of the total budget. Seems beyond disingenuous to me - and now they want to add another layer??!! Ack this place is soooo dysfunctional!<br /><br />reader47 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54501494901543871042015-07-22T14:26:03.480-07:002015-07-22T14:26:03.480-07:00So WTF role does Misa Garmoe play? She was lesser...So WTF role does Misa Garmoe play? She was lesser qualified successor to Phil Brockman, who was supposedly the go between of School Operations and fill in the blank.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.com