tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1250041250486595501..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Retreat Wrap-UpMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16174330244497470372013-12-12T13:47:45.002-08:002013-12-12T13:47:45.002-08:00Susan Enfield made a big point of having the Execu...Susan Enfield made a big point of having the Executive Directors report directly to her. Now they report to someone who reports to someone who reports to the Superintendent.<br /><br />So if Susan Enfield is great for having them report to her, then isn't Jose Banda terrible for distancing himself from them?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24944412414220640012013-12-12T13:44:53.010-08:002013-12-12T13:44:53.010-08:00It is appropriate for board member to have communi...It is appropriate for board member to have communications with principals and should not have to obtain clearance from district.<br /><br />Board members need unfiltered responses to determine policy impact.Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17383431578577766202013-12-12T13:07:08.147-08:002013-12-12T13:07:08.147-08:00I don't remember Nancy Coogan ever coming out ...I don't remember Nancy Coogan ever coming out to support a community in distress over a principal. She had many request and many many opportunities. In private from public disclosure requests, she and principals agreed how to tame the wild beasts (communities). She was totally 2-faced. <br /><br />But in reality nobody is really sure what those education directors do and now we have somebody overseeing them. Layers of middle management running around to meetings and singing we are the world. <br /><br />Been there, done that Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32409794563702756342013-12-12T11:58:59.816-08:002013-12-12T11:58:59.816-08:00rather optimistic,
That is exactly how she expres...rather optimistic,<br /><br />That is exactly how she expressed it.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10033559720256108452013-12-12T11:57:51.624-08:002013-12-12T11:57:51.624-08:00What about when the Exec Dir is someone like Marni...What about when the Exec Dir is someone like Marni Campbell, Nancy Coogan or Bree Deausault? And the principal has reason to fear? I believe there is still a climate of fear and retaliation that permeates all levels.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55056328936891861122013-12-12T11:19:56.833-08:002013-12-12T11:19:56.833-08:00My other observation: Central staff thinks the boa...My other observation: Central staff thinks the board is a bunch of doofuses - did I spell that right - it is the exact word I mean to use - Doofus as in nice but goofy clueless and capable of doing harm. Why do I think this? One only has to go to a few meetings in which the tight smiles, raised eyebrows, talking v-e-r-y sloooooowly to the 'nice board members' is on display to get the general vibe.<br /><br />It has always been thus in the decade I have watched staff nevermind that staff keeps turning over. They are the experts and the board is something to be endured as a downside to the job of really getting things done.<br /><br />DistrictWatcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9817011304814847722013-12-12T11:14:06.171-08:002013-12-12T11:14:06.171-08:00Charlie,
I admire your optimism about the possibi...Charlie,<br /><br />I admire your optimism about the possibility of having the ideal board / management relationship, where the board only sets and enforces policy. Coming from the private sector, where boards have essentially given up and admitted that they can't do anything but fire the CEO after s/he destroyed the firm, I am less optimistic.<br /><br />I think you answer your question in your other post, however. The administration is always trying to slowly expand their authority, to institute policy without board approval, and, in my experience, to manipulate the information provided to the board. I have sat in community meetings where district staff presented only the results they wanted and deliberately left out half of the community input (oh, yes, it was there in the full transcript, but somehow did not make the summary and presentation).<br /><br />It would be great if the board could really set policy and then enforce it, but in order for that to happen, they need to be able to verify the information they are getting from management. That is the crux of the board problem, and it is one that plagues many organizations. Until there is that kind of transparency, the board needs direct access to many levels within the organization. It is and will remain a political process.<br />Ragweedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491896585801927302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91111355688886888022013-12-12T11:00:06.522-08:002013-12-12T11:00:06.522-08:00@politically-incorrect.
As far as I could see the...@politically-incorrect.<br /><br />As far as I could see there were no directors at the JAMS meeting last night. I'm not really going to read much into that one way or the other. I did appreciate that the principal from Eckstein came out.<br /><br />BenBenjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4718250754011540182013-12-12T10:42:03.384-08:002013-12-12T10:42:03.384-08:00A while ago Kay Smith-Blum polled principals on th...A while ago Kay Smith-Blum polled principals on their thoughts before her vote on whether or not to accept the Teach for America partnership. Based on the poll she voted yes. <br /><br />I remember central staff seemed none too happy when she explained her methodology at the board meeting.<br /><br />But if I were a board member the last thing I'd want is to be told to go through some lame middle management regional director when what I wanted was a boots on the ground perspective of a school issue. Just say no.<br />DistrictWatcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65263078111489899902013-12-12T09:40:49.286-08:002013-12-12T09:40:49.286-08:00C'mon. Does anyone remember the fiascos at Ga...C'mon. Does anyone remember the fiascos at Garfield when hundreds of kids sat in the cafeteria waiting for their schedules because the district messed up?<br /><br />Directors represent the community and principals are part of that community.<br /><br />Principals shouldn't be intimidated from talking to directors.Samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79429107728726105662013-12-12T08:49:53.810-08:002013-12-12T08:49:53.810-08:00I read the Peaslee statement a second time and did...I read the Peaslee statement a second time and didn't draw the same negative conclusion about APP. It sounds more like she understands the APP community's desire for a place of their own with the frequent splits and the continual outgrowth of shared space. The holding pattern the program is in continues this cycle. So I guess that makes me ...<br /><br />rather optimisticAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58436297946289930962013-12-12T08:00:17.848-08:002013-12-12T08:00:17.848-08:00Charlie, a very relevant question from the Board t...Charlie, a very relevant question from the Board to a principal would be "Why aren't you following this policy?" Examples might include the Ballard High use of Sped funds, discipline issues, teacher ranking issues, MAP testing, etc. etc. <br /><br />That said, asking in an email with a cc to the Exec Director seems like a reasonable request from staff. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14914067960906510862013-12-12T04:55:40.810-08:002013-12-12T04:55:40.810-08:00What would a Board Director talk to a principal ab...What would a Board Director talk to a principal about anyway? If the Board is focused on policy and governance, and they kept their conversations with principals to matters of policy and governance, those would be pretty short conversations, wouldn't they?<br /><br />They might be something like: "How is this policy working in your school?" or "What policies would you like to see changed, added, or repealed?"<br /><br />Of course the principals are only one group of stakeholders who should be consulted on policy effectiveness questions.<br /><br />The Board Directors absolutely should not be talking to the principals about operations, administration, academics, or management issues.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19825408481299195622013-12-11T23:03:22.840-08:002013-12-11T23:03:22.840-08:00"The Cabinet also seems to want to rein in di..."The Cabinet also seems to want to rein in director discussions with principals (or at least be apprised of them)."<br /><br />Not cool. Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10835476916792184782013-12-11T22:19:40.631-08:002013-12-11T22:19:40.631-08:00While my first choice was Director Patu, I fully s...While my first choice was Director Patu, I fully support Board President Peasless. She has demonstrated a "git-r-done" attitude that takes away staff excuses. She maintains enough skepticism to drive her to collect information from multiple source.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64679274558301338252013-12-11T21:56:52.309-08:002013-12-11T21:56:52.309-08:00No sign of Director Peaslee, BTW, at the JAMS meet...No sign of Director Peaslee, BTW, at the JAMS meeting this evening, which packed the Jane Addams library.<br /><br />Director Peaslee has not had a community meeting since early September.<br /><br />Prior to that, I think she had a meeting last March.<br /><br />I haven't heard her give any reasons why she does not have regular community meetings.<br /><br />I honestly can't believe she was elected as Board President.<br /><br />-politically incorrectAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59825888218618858622013-12-11T19:45:57.595-08:002013-12-11T19:45:57.595-08:00I don't understand why Sharon Peaslee is soooo...I don't understand why Sharon Peaslee is soooo closed off to the idea of elementary APP having their own building and trying to suggest that it somehow violates equitable access. Last I checked, any student who qualified gained access...that's equitable. And if there are enough kids to fill and elementary school...then that's an answer to address their needs. It's certainly better than trying to cram them into a neighborhood school that doesn't have room for them or splitting them up so that the program loses all consistency or integrity. This is the situation that most APP families left...a school that could provide adequate differentiation despite claiming ALO.<br /><br />I feel that her tenacity is based in some personal slight with the program. I wish she would get over it.<br /><br />Anti-PeasleeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12929002323731664292013-12-11T18:10:35.281-08:002013-12-11T18:10:35.281-08:00I don't remember Special Education being speci...I don't remember Special Education being specifically named as one of the "top 5" priority areas. In fact, I remember NOT hearing that and harrumphing loudly.<br /><br />I could see where the <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/191026091/1620BP-Implementation" rel="nofollow">draft</a> "implementation" document could be helpful with the mechanics of communication. It is concerning if a de facto filter impedes candid conversations between principals and directors.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55840718831673551102013-12-11T17:15:05.891-08:002013-12-11T17:15:05.891-08:00Look, Not Optimistic, I think she was clumsy in ho... Look, Not Optimistic, I think she was clumsy in how she said it but I think she was saying the district can't do this to communities and not expect them to get frustrated and upset. I don't think it was APP but that was the example. <br /><br />And which BEX project are you referring to here?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36109114010576479842013-12-11T16:52:54.032-08:002013-12-11T16:52:54.032-08:00What is Director Peaslee's meaning about APP? ...What is Director Peaslee's meaning about APP? Why doesn't she focus on ESTEM k8 'building grab', or Pinehurst AS1's 'building grab' or the STEM@Boren 'building grab'? Why oh why does she target communities selectively and inconsistently? That kind of blindness to the needs of all is not a harbinger of good things for this District. She's President, so does that mean she'll take the credit or blame for how the BEX program is going? Not likely. To wit: When the first BEX project, which already is plagued by serious cost overruns that could have been avoided, was brought before the Board, they all acted surprised and mildly peeved -- WHEN THIS HAD GONE THROUGH OPS COMMITEE AND THE BEX OVERSIGHT -- WHICH DIRECTOR PEASLEE IS PART OF -- this is how things are to go? Supervise projects, then when they go off the rails, demand to know why and how? It's called a mirror.<br /><br />Ah, but maybe she'll be able to blame APP for that too somehow.<br /><br />How is this District going to ever get it together with staff turnover, budget deficits, and the current Board that disparages, openly, a school community?<br /><br />-not optimistic<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66716766341781069072013-12-11T14:48:13.060-08:002013-12-11T14:48:13.060-08:00Reader, I need to request the survey. They seemed ...Reader, I need to request the survey. They seemed to jump around and that basic "5 hot topics" was mentioned and then they moved on. I left at about 3 pm and missed the last two hours of discussion but I didn't see it on the agenda. I'll post the survey when I get a copy.<br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27893831350445763642013-12-11T14:40:20.683-08:002013-12-11T14:40:20.683-08:00Great summary. I am interested in more information...Great summary. I am interested in more information about this: "They talked about the top five hot button issues from the survey. They were capacity, budget, Advanced Learning, resource challenges and Common Core/Sped/principals." Can you unpack the "common Core/SPED/principals" piece? Can we read this survey? <br /><br />reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com