tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1263465689644136611..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: News Conference Tomorrow on AccountabilityMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84329363365346796102011-03-17T22:49:25.130-07:002011-03-17T22:49:25.130-07:00jumper, if you aren't happy with your neighbor...<b>jumper</b>, if you aren't happy with your neighborhood school, I would encourage you to look at the Option Schools. Our kids have had great educations in our Option K-8 and neighborhood High School. We have saved tens of thousands of dollars and (I think) enriched their cultural lives by keeping them public.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41358360710163236942011-03-17T21:42:14.287-07:002011-03-17T21:42:14.287-07:00And on the levy, I have seriously "never met ...And on the levy, I have seriously "never met a tax I didn't vote for" (maybe one) but it is a little arrogant to DOUBLE the levy amount in economic times like this. <br /><br />Did I read that right, it is DOUBLE the previous amount? It this kind of hubris that drives people to Tea! <br /><br />I'll probably still vote for the dumb thing, but that is pushing the limits!wsnorthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795943009142572757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73694422005965447472011-03-17T21:37:51.632-07:002011-03-17T21:37:51.632-07:00- to jump or not
So much of it is local. Look at ...- to jump or not<br /><br />So much of it is local. Look at your assigned schools. At this point, they probably won't get any worse. <br /><br />We love our local elementary, and our Middle School has been a great experience for some of our kids, but the district has just been destroying the elementary school with overcrowding, and starving the award winning middle school of funds. <br /><br />Think Location, Location, Location.wsnorthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795943009142572757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1528464261289378002011-03-17T21:09:49.037-07:002011-03-17T21:09:49.037-07:00to jump or not- it really depends on what your kid...to jump or not- it really depends on what your kids needs are and what your choices are.<br />If they have already been accepted at private schools I expect something major has been lacking in their experience or has the administration of the district been the prime motivator toward private?<br /><br />I have two kids- both twice gifted ( gifted with " special needs".)<br /><br />One went private K-12.<br />ONe was mostly public & despite being successful at a good high school & taking 4 Ap classes- she is struggling mightily in college.<br />Even before she began college I have said that I wish I had kept her private.<br />Watching her this year- I still say it.<br />YMMVJet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61021934797632237592011-03-17T17:13:52.231-07:002011-03-17T17:13:52.231-07:00Stu, I will ask you to reconsider if your only rea...Stu, I will ask you to reconsider if your only reason is to not put more money into schools. <br /><br />The district won't decide where the money goes (they've tried to get that control in the past and the City said no way). The district has no hand in the money. And when programs don't work, the City pulls the plug (to the unhappiness of a couple of community groups that didn't realize they were expected to show positive outcomes).<br /><br />Losing this levy would mean losing:<br /><br />- all 10 health centers at the 10 comprehensive high schools which are accessible to every single student in the school <br /><br />- the 4 health centers at high-need middle schools<br /><br />- no summer school (another thread but Enfield announced there would be no summer school this year either)<br /><br />- no direct interventions as have shown success in Everett and Tukwila with drop-outs<br /><br />-hundreds of kids won't get early childhood education<br /><br />-education outreach for immigrant families<br /><br />-tutoring and after-school activities at the middle schools.<br /><br />And more.<br /><br />(I have pointed out that we have a large property tax bill primarily because of levies/bonds and for the poor, disabled, elderly or just struggling, it's a lot to pay and I get it. Of course, vote with your wallet but if you feel you can do it otherwise, please consider voting for this levy.)Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-198655199446250012011-03-17T17:08:49.036-07:002011-03-17T17:08:49.036-07:00and Stu, I just noticed your "how about a spe...and Stu, I just noticed your "how about a special lottery for education," which cracks me up/makes me sad because the lottery, when first instituted, WAS to benefit education. Of course now all the money is just put into the state's general fund...<br /><br />WV has colic. Is colic?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25197910990241868622011-03-17T17:06:34.345-07:002011-03-17T17:06:34.345-07:00Stu, I would echo what others have pointed out: Th...Stu, I would echo what others have pointed out: The city's family levy is the city's, not the district's. It's different from the levies, for instance, of a few months ago, which were district.<br /><br />Melissa believes that the city has better accounting and accountabily. I believe her on this.<br /><br />Certainly, some of the money is used IN schools, to help struggling students, but it is city-managed. It is not thrown away. It helps the families and kids who need it most.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73652226490782417562011-03-17T16:29:08.931-07:002011-03-17T16:29:08.931-07:00Please call or email the Seattle City Council memb...<i> Please call or email the Seattle City Council members to voice your support of "option 3" for the Families and Education Levy!<br /></i><br /><br />Boy, I gotta be honest and say that I'm not sure I can support any levy at this time. We keep throwing more and more money into the district but I've yet to see the accountability, or direction, that I desire. We vote for levy after levy and the money doesn't seem to always go where it's supposed to; I don't trust the administration to make intelligent fiscal decisions, and we're almost at the breaking point financially and shudder at the thought of even more taxes.<br /><br />How 'bout a special lottery just for education? Or just a "general fund donation" drive . . .something other than taxing homeowners?<br /><br />Unless this levy specifies where every single dollar is going, and until the district stops the "business as usual" approach to maintenance and operational expenses, I don't know that they have my vote.<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15822169266492502562011-03-17T14:30:57.804-07:002011-03-17T14:30:57.804-07:00For those interested in supporting our public scho...For those interested in supporting our public schools, our City Council members vote on how to proceed with the Families and Education Levy renewal on Monday. That will determine what, if anything, gets put before voters this fall. An advisory committee has presented three different options to the council members, and recommends the third option - roughly $234M - as the only way to meet the goals presented by City Council. Please call or email the Seattle City Council members to voice your support of "option 3" for the Families and Education Levy!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291207811279474922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21731733846063339792011-03-17T13:15:16.187-07:002011-03-17T13:15:16.187-07:00The true victory for the "New Student Assignm...The true victory for the "New Student Assignment Plan" will be when "local schools" are free from "Downtown Directing". That OKI model of neighborhood schools with a neighborhood board of trustees is looking better all the time..... especially for Rainier Beach High School.... for that matter any place stuff with Downtown Math ideas etc. etc. etc.<br /><br />The folks downtown who do the work would do much better with "competent upper administrative management" and a "real Board of Directors".dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73268598714800546022011-03-17T13:14:08.402-07:002011-03-17T13:14:08.402-07:00The budget process needs to become more transparen...The budget process needs to become more transparent.<br /><br />Here is the budget timeline:<br /><br />Individual School Budget Development<br />Feb 18 –March 14, 2011<br />Budget Adjustments Based on Legislative Action<br />April, 2011<br />Recommended Budgets: Introduction<br />June 15, 2011<br />Public Hearing on Budgets<br />June 16, 2011<br />Recommended Budgets Action<br />July 6, 2011<br /><br />There aren't any more scheduled public budget workshops.<br /><br />The budget will be introduced on June 15th. Public hearings are the next day.<br /><br />I really think there needs to be more public budget workshops, and more time between release of budget and public hearings.<br /><br />This, would help increase transparency.<br /><br />I'd also like to see a forensic audit of the entire district. In addition to the audit, this might shake up some bureaucratic sense of entitlement.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85290328920539172482011-03-17T10:53:31.193-07:002011-03-17T10:53:31.193-07:00Peon said: Public school does have a lot to offer!...<i>Peon said: Public school does have a lot to offer!</i><br /><br />Every reason given to stay with SPS is true. There are amazing schools, in many neighborhoods, and amazing princiapls and teachers, in many schools. There are dedicated PTA and other parent groups, in many regions, and your children can get, in many ways, an excellent education.<br /><br />I'll play devil's advocate, for a moment, though.<br /><br />There's also a lot of turmoil in the district. Educational approaches, methodology, and materials can change on, seemingly, a whim. Great principals can be moved without notice; amazing independent programs can be canceled so their space can be used to stuff more kids into larger classes; agreements between the district and individual schools can be discarded without regard to the effects on the building, regardless of how successful the program might be.<br /><br />If you're in the APP program, there's no guarantee that the program will stay intact or be split into quarters; with the new assignment plan, you could be assigned to a "failing" school without recourse; that "yellow school bus or metro pass" may not apply to your child who's still too young to walk to school.<br /><br />Yes, Peon, there are amazing bands and orchestras at SOME of the schools, world class ones in fact, yet that means nothing to a musical child who can't get into one of those schools. For every NE kid who might dream of playing in the Roosevelt band, there's an equally talented kid assigned to Nathan Hale. (NH has an orchestra with less than 10 kids. It will probably develop into a nice program 5 years from now but tell that to the string player that's heading over there for the next 4 years.)<br /><br />Yes, there's language immersion . . but only in certain assignment schools so that it's not available to everyone.<br /><br />Yes, there are free laptops . . .at a single school. What happens when funding runs out in three years? Is there any guarantee it'll continue that way?<br /><br />As far as all the other things Peon listed? It's true that all of those things are available in the Seattle Public Schools. Trouble is, they're each only available to a select group of people.<br /><br />Depending on your resources, private schools can be an excellent option. Most offer language every day, music every day, science and art and sports and real math every day. And, while many of us, myself included, can criticize some private schools for selectivity and price, it's hard to argue that most offer a top-notch education which is something that isn't available to every SPS student in every neighborhood.<br /><br />Until the time comes that every school can offer every student a quality education, and the district can offer some of those great music/language/science options to all the kids, private school will remain a popular choice in this city.<br /><br />One other thing: people who decide to go private school route still pay the same amount of taxes towards the public schools. Many still participate in public school fundraisers and involve themselves in the process. It comes down to making the best choice for YOUR child.<br /><br />stu<br />(still a public school parent though we've shopped around because of a lack of faith)Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22464595785740789212011-03-17T10:11:21.868-07:002011-03-17T10:11:21.868-07:00They could start by looking at the MLK sale.They could start by looking at the MLK sale.another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79722112755037846432011-03-17T09:43:30.314-07:002011-03-17T09:43:30.314-07:00gavroche said:
"we may, unfortunately hear l...gavroche said:<br /><br /><i>"we may, unfortunately hear less concern about "public trust" coming from the Powers That Be and a return to Business as Usual."</i><br /><br />Right now we are hearing largely business as usual with slightly better accounting... Enfield as "Supe" was opposed by Betty Patu (the only sane vote in 6-1). Betty voted no because she wanted a break from MGJ-Enfield direction. Six Board members don't see the need.<br /><br />Business as usual continues..... Rickie Malone had it right.... "<i><b>To improve Public Trust.... some Board Members need to leave."</b></i>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23912025172363625362011-03-17T09:28:52.873-07:002011-03-17T09:28:52.873-07:00Don't jump! My two kids have been in 5 SPS sch...Don't jump! My two kids have been in 5 SPS schools K-12, and they have been fantastic overall. At the school level things work, and they work well (at least at all of the schools my kids have attended).<br /><br />I know at the district level things seem like a disaster, and there is definitely a lot they can improve on, but I think Charlie is right in that most people at headquarters do their jobs well most of the time (we just don't hear about it because it isn't sensational). <br /><br />There are certainly things private schools can offer that publics can't. Small class size, no downtown drama, and a decent peer group.<br /><br />But there are things that publics can offer that private schools just can't.<br /><br />There is not a private school in Seattle that has a band that compares to the bands at Eckstein, Washington, Hamilton, Roosevelt or Garfield. Orchestras too!<br /><br />There isn't a private school in Seattle that has an IB program, or a fully functioning radio station, or a marine biology academy. <br /><br />There is not a private school in Seattle that gives every student that attends a laptop like STEM does!<br /><br />There isn't a private elementary school in Seattle that offers full immersion like JSIS does! Or expeditionary learning like Thornton Creek does! Or one that specializes in environmental science like JA K-8 does!<br /><br />There isn't a private school in Seattle that provides yellow bus service and metro passes! Or free breakfast and lunch for those who need it.<br /><br />And there isn't a private school in Seattle that has the diversity that many of our public schools offer - special ed, English language learners, hundreds of different ethnic and religious backgrounds).<br /><br />Public school does have a lot to offer!anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34471001657098907922011-03-17T09:28:22.376-07:002011-03-17T09:28:22.376-07:00Commission members and bios are here:
http://www....Commission members and bios are here:<br /><br />http://www.seattle.gov/ethics/home/bios.htm<br /><br />It looks like a formidable group. Their meeting minutes are also on-line.another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30544601526060893972011-03-17T09:26:58.203-07:002011-03-17T09:26:58.203-07:00Word has it that SPS's general counsel's o...Word has it that SPS's general counsel's office has been slammed with employee complaints since this all broke - perhaps this is a way to deal with some of that workload? - though I can also see where gavroche is coming from as well...<br /><br />As to where were people in Feb. for supplemental levy - I think there is much more daylight on the subject, (despite the great work done by this blog and others) than ever before - it's a pretty natural reaction to question giving the district more money (however it's administered) when clearly they haven't done a great job with the existing pots -someonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35394786490007875392011-03-17T09:22:48.038-07:002011-03-17T09:22:48.038-07:00and a good theory, gavroche. dead on, I'd say....and a good theory, gavroche. dead on, I'd say.cascadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07790011815664752047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32976495876490562582011-03-17T09:21:30.333-07:002011-03-17T09:21:30.333-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51790165835875509692011-03-17T09:08:49.841-07:002011-03-17T09:08:49.841-07:00I suspect the levy is what what all the talk of &q...I suspect the levy is what what all the talk of "public trust" is about. I believe some political capital has been invested in promoting the levy -- McGinn, Burgess, others, are behind it. (Which may be related to positioning for mayoral runs.) Pottergate has risked scuttling the chances of it passing. So SPS and City Hall are anxious to regain "public trust" so voters will back the levy. If this theory is correct, once the levy passes (if it is introduced and does pass), we may, unfortunately hear less concern about "public trust" coming from the Powers That Be and a return to Business as Usual.<br /><br />just a theory.gavrochehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11336376340965305696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32432397812573510722011-03-17T08:36:06.827-07:002011-03-17T08:36:06.827-07:00To jump or not -
The district has major problems ...To jump or not - <br />The district has major problems which are infuriating, but our child's school is excellent. That disconnect between downtown and the local school is a problem, but sometimes it's a benefit. (Maybe we should deliberately keep them distracted with big boondoggle projects that don't have anything to do with the classroom.) (Kidding.)<br /><br />It really comes down to the school your child will attend, so tour and investigate your assigned school and any option schools that are practical for you. A good principal with loyal teachers and staff far outweighs all the downtown madness. A good PTA helps a lot too.<br /><br />Good luck. I know it's hard.Another JA Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68042895188171205842011-03-17T08:20:48.193-07:002011-03-17T08:20:48.193-07:00Sundquist needs to be voted out this fall, period....Sundquist needs to be voted out this fall, period. Instead of "fixing" things now he could have simply pulled his head out of his, um, shamrock, and listened to the community and teachers for the past 3 years.<br /><br />Ditto Maier and Martin-Morris and Carr (all of whom are quiet, verrrrrry quiet these past two weeks.)cascadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07790011815664752047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17549289999235944862011-03-17T07:35:32.760-07:002011-03-17T07:35:32.760-07:00to jump or not,
You should stay with Seattle Publ...to jump or not,<br /><br />You should stay with Seattle Public Schools because - far and away - the bulk of your child's educational experience will be determined by the community at your school, not by the bozos in the JSCEE. You should stay with Seattle Public Schools because nearly all of the school communities are healthy and effective. You should stay with Seattle Public Schools because even the bozos in the JSCEE have good intentions and, despite what you may read here, do most of their jobs right.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77248357638075598782011-03-17T00:39:13.295-07:002011-03-17T00:39:13.295-07:00In an attempt to increase accountability Susan Enf...In an attempt to increase accountability Susan Enfield will explain that she violated State Law RCW 28A 645.020 on at least two occasions, pushed the NTN contract with flawed data, produced a bogus action report from a forged document, submitted the forged document instead of the original, and will resign and throw herself on the mercy of the court.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.school-truth.com/ntn.html" rel="nofollow">The rest of the story</a> with videos.<br /><br />Steve Sundquist will be delivering re-election campaign speeches and explaining that all those MGJ proposals that he voted for were great. How unfortunate that MGJ had to leave......... <br /><br />Steve is unable to read the MGJ contract and connect all MGJ's fireable actions and offenses... with firing MGJ with cause......dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43526968524393793732011-03-17T00:29:26.636-07:002011-03-17T00:29:26.636-07:00The 9:45 news conference may be to announce that S...The 9:45 news conference may be to announce that SPS is turning over some if its watchdog responsibilities to the city. Check out the newly posted article to the online Seattle Time as of midnight:<br /><br /><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014517731_schoolethics17m.html" rel="nofollow">http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014517731_schoolethics17m.html</a>Observernoreply@blogger.com