tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1784535598363762315..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: School Board meeting agenda for 9/19/12Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51325667036104969572012-09-18T13:51:54.909-07:002012-09-18T13:51:54.909-07:00I just checked the motions before the school board...I just checked the motions before the school board this week and not one of them has any community engagement at all. Not one.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17810144877669563442012-09-18T09:49:47.345-07:002012-09-18T09:49:47.345-07:00My impression was exactly the same. I am not sure...My impression was exactly the same. I am not sure if he is just in way over his head and ability (which would explain the deer in the headlights reactions) or is being purposefully evasive. A national search and we got this guy? It will be a long three years (maybe less).<br /><br />Seen it beforeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62754691189348408982012-09-18T05:08:28.297-07:002012-09-18T05:08:28.297-07:00Observer,
You are misinformed on the meaning of th...Observer,<br />You are misinformed on the meaning of the words republic and democracy. Check a dictionary.<br /><br />Rooting for WordsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38167313764515726812012-09-17T10:27:31.182-07:002012-09-17T10:27:31.182-07:00If you take a look at the School Board Action Repo...If you take a look at the School Board Action Report that accompanies each motion you will see that for most of them the only community engagement on the motions before the Board comes between introduction and action. This is, essentially, the one and only opportunity for community input.<br /><br />Yes, the board directors are elected to make these decisions, but they are the elected representatives of the public. As such, there is a reasonable expectation that they will allow the public an opportunity to provide them with input and comment on the matters before them. Typically, the time between introduction and action is the only time afforded for this purpose and if it were removed then there would be no time for public input.<br /><br />I believe that public input provided to the elected representatives is a critical element of any republic. So do the Board directors. At least they claim as much.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10944620950922512212012-09-17T08:08:50.040-07:002012-09-17T08:08:50.040-07:00Wow. I've been known to use the wrong word on...Wow. I've been known to use the wrong word on occassion. Haven't you?<br /><br />For those of us who follow open meetings and public records, it's become quite apparent that there is a lot of shenanigans behind the scenes, manipulated by a handful of staff and, for the most part, Michael Debell. That is how you get such garbage legal analysis like the TFA memorandum or debacles like the CAS MOU permanent injunction. They aren't working for us, nor representing us unless your name happens to be Jon Bridge or Tim Burgess.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67867674253881250052012-09-17T06:57:36.864-07:002012-09-17T06:57:36.864-07:00No, if you're working from the place that the ...No, if you're working from the place that the board is going to screw the public no matter what they do, I think it's silly to focus so much an introduction and action. They're going to do whatever they're going to do anyway. Or, you can focus on electing people who share your viewpoint. I also personally hate ignorance and when people misuse the word democracy instead of republic.<br /><br />An ObserverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8977319695428549762012-09-17T06:24:27.062-07:002012-09-17T06:24:27.062-07:00So you must be advocating for the "shut up an...So you must be advocating for the "shut up and approve it" approach to governance. Where the board is asked to read and pass anything that is placed before them? <br /><br />That's how MGJ got the NWEA contract approved, just provide a supposed "research paper" by a Broad lackey to HMM's C&I committee and there it is. Or better yet, provide a TFA MOU with their marketing materials to the Exec Comm. No analysis or consideration required.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82394697333267941862012-09-16T22:11:54.215-07:002012-09-16T22:11:54.215-07:00Patrick, we have a republic not a democracy. That&...Patrick, we have a republic not a democracy. That's why you vote for school board members instead of it being an open vote on every decision the school board makes.<br /><br />-An ObserverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30057133492525227732012-09-16T21:05:06.967-07:002012-09-16T21:05:06.967-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19944597709113085382012-09-16T21:05:03.037-07:002012-09-16T21:05:03.037-07:00An Observer, we don't have democracy because i...An Observer, we don't have democracy because it's efficient.<br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51860174955654895082012-09-16T17:57:01.284-07:002012-09-16T17:57:01.284-07:00And as you can see, the Times would chastise selec...And as you can see, the Times would chastise select board members for asking whether something is legal that, in fact, ultimately proves to be illegal (like the Creative Approach Schools MOU). Unfortunately, not everything that emerges out of the General Counsel's office proves to be correct or ethical.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67648105735354286262012-09-16T15:44:30.080-07:002012-09-16T15:44:30.080-07:00How does Intro and Action help?
It allows parents ...How does Intro and Action help?<br />It allows parents and the public to give input on issues that concern and affect their children and their communities.<br /><br />Not everyone can go to the Board Committee meetings and the minutes are very superficial so that is not an easy option for anyone. <br /><br />I think it is fair to Intro some items - high profile, across-the-board items that affect many students - one meeting and approve the next. Otherwise since the Agenda is not available until 5 pm on Friday and they vote on the next Wednesday, that offers little time for folks to read, ponder and offer input. <br /><br />Unless, of course, the Board neither wants nor needs input to make their decisions (except from the Alliance or Frank Greer or Jon Bridge).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485101844712536985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19005733822769862502012-09-16T15:28:25.450-07:002012-09-16T15:28:25.450-07:00The intro and action for the last person prevented...The intro and action for the last person prevented an unqualified person from being placed in a high-needs classroom of children with learning and developmental disabilities, just because someone told someone everything was okie dokie. Turns out everything wasn't. Intro allowed me to make that case.<br /><br />I have no particular problem with the person proposed, beyond the obvious issue of placing someone with five weeks training in front of a classroom of Franklin high-schoolers who deserve a real science teacher.<br /><br />I do have a problem with the slimy sneaky nature of the entire PESB/UW/Stritikus/Enfield/Alliance/Greer/Insider garbage that goes along with TFA in Seattle. Can we stop doing business this way? Or is it necessary because that's the only way to keep the wool over some people's eyes?mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46868261961353301092012-09-16T14:55:36.368-07:002012-09-16T14:55:36.368-07:00Okay so having an introduction and action really ...Okay so having an introduction and action really has helped? Because it really doesn't sound like it from your post.<br /><br />And observerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61927090528327152052012-09-16T14:39:17.134-07:002012-09-16T14:39:17.134-07:00Yes, and we've seen that our district has alwa...Yes, and we've seen that our district has always done business in an open, transparent manner with no subterfuge, smoke and deception. Pls get real. If they knew the TFA dude's name last meeting (remember the verbal "update"), then why didn't they intro the item to declare him most eminently qualified? Why has staff (and DeBel) decided that the less the board members and public know the better? This is how we've ended up with tens and tens of audit findings over the last ten years. "Move along, there's nothing to see here!"mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40216425136553085972012-09-16T11:32:15.981-07:002012-09-16T11:32:15.981-07:00Most school districts don't have a concept of ...Most school districts don't have a concept of introduction and action. Business needs to be done, it gets put on an agenda and the school board votes. As you noted, Seattle no longer has a policy about introduction/action, and could if they wanted to move to the style that other districts do. There isn't always evil motives to be had, maybe just a realization that business can be done more efficiently. <br /><br />An Observer Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com