tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2574641056815995783..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Listening in on the School Board MeetingMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77984187044855249422016-05-05T15:37:33.878-07:002016-05-05T15:37:33.878-07:00GHS Mom, no, the Board cannot tell the Superintend...GHS Mom, no, the Board cannot tell the Superintendent to do that. They could talk to him about what they observe and he heard the testimony last night.<br /><br />I'll just say that if she is not reassigned to Garfield, that it looks like SPS administration is trying to send a message to teachers and their union. <br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29401932795417755702016-05-05T14:55:16.444-07:002016-05-05T14:55:16.444-07:00Charlie said: When Ms Heath goes, all of her unful...Charlie said: <i>When Ms Heath goes, all of her unfulfilled promises go with her. Any promise that she ever made to anyone is now void. While the Board had a chance of holding her to her promise to evaluate the advanced learning programs, they have no chance of holding her successor to that promise. Whatever timetables she agreed to meet for MTSS are now void. Her successor will come up with all new timetables starting from scratch. It will be year one for everything all over again.</i><br /><br />Unfortunately, you know as well as I that it was never going to happen if she stayed. She never had any intent of fulfilling any of her AL promises (among others). So there really is no downside in this matter to her leaving. <br /><br />On the other hand, if someone else comes in to replace her, there's at least a small chance that they will be more in tune with the real AL needs (kids' needs, rather than petty adult issues). I often feel like it could hardly be any worse than it has been over the past few years, though I know that's not true, because it can always get worse.<br /><br />The biggest problem I see right now is that unless Tolley exits very quickly, he is likely to have the most say in Heath's replacement. Given that he's a huge AL-hater as well, this does not bode well. My hope is that Heath saw the writing on the wall with the new Board starting to exert a little influence, and bolted before the heat started turning up. Given that Tolley is also shopping himself around, I can only hope that he has the same read and leaves very soon as well, which could inject fresh/critical thinking into the curriculum and instruction section of the SPS org chart.znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55698783119916969932016-05-05T14:31:24.311-07:002016-05-05T14:31:24.311-07:00Sub, no disrespect for the substitute. It's n...Sub, no disrespect for the substitute. It's not their fault they were put in an impossible position of teaching a subject they're not qualified for. I suppose if the District needed a long-term sub for a French class they'd get someone who spoke only English and Chinese.<br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26601815942860053102016-05-05T14:29:11.008-07:002016-05-05T14:29:11.008-07:00I agree with ConcernedSPSParent regarding the dist...I agree with ConcernedSPSParent regarding the district's pettiness. This culture of bullying and retribution on the part of the central district against parents (whom they view as "entitled") and those teachers who put serving students above all else is unlike anything I have ever seen. Is this what they learn in their "Leadership" courses that they all take to advance their careers into the lucrative upper administration positions? Instead of serving the school community they learn to obfuscate, prevaricate and evade.<br /><br />The district has so much that is great about it - great, dynamic teachers, impressive schools, unbelievably talented kids. But as of the last sixteen or so years, the district appears necrotic and dysfunctional. Really sick. You have to ask, what kind of people would destroy all these good things? Until the administration sees an overhaul (including the superintendent) I would not advise anyone to trust their kids to the Seattle Public Schools.<br /><br />-SPS ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60658086050276013312016-05-05T14:25:36.321-07:002016-05-05T14:25:36.321-07:00GHSMom, no, personnel matters are not up to the Bo...GHSMom, no, personnel matters are not up to the Board. (Except the Superintendent, the auditor, and the board secretary.)<br /><br />And are you sure that's exactly what the judge says? Generally, the District gets to decide who works where. The judge said there is no cause for termination, but reassignment or lesser punishments are still at the discretion of the District.<br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34340245727061322782016-05-05T13:42:32.961-07:002016-05-05T13:42:32.961-07:00Melissa, the woulda shoulda comments about whether...Melissa, the woulda shoulda comments about whether she would have let the boy on the trip is totally irrelevant to the current situation, in my opinion. If she had been told about the prior event, she would have had the knowledge to make a concrete decision or to be more aware of him. If he went on the trip, maybe she would have said no to his request to hang out in the girls' room during free time. That is neither here nor there right now. Her lawyer might have misspoken, but that doesn't mean he is not telling the truth about what she would have done. If she had had the info, she could have been more prepared.<br />GHSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17595278856463102262016-05-05T13:38:40.717-07:002016-05-05T13:38:40.717-07:00Can the board tell Nyland to put Burton back at he...Can the board tell Nyland to put Burton back at her job like the judge's decision?<br />GHSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34303526006178749672016-05-05T12:35:17.204-07:002016-05-05T12:35:17.204-07:00I had the opportunity to listen to part of the boa...I had the opportunity to listen to part of the board meeting and I must say- we have an outstanding board!<br /><br />We have a board that supports the community. They are also working to shape the direction of education in Washington state. We have a proactive board that is willing to take on Olympia and I'm thrilled.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65704558332635066002016-05-05T11:57:00.555-07:002016-05-05T11:57:00.555-07:00I know of only 2 qualified retired music subs and ...I know of only 2 qualified retired music subs and they work every day. They can pick and choose their jobs... <br /><br />And that is why students must step in. Hey at least in this State Subs are licensed Teachers in the rest of the country not.so.much<br /><br />But hey let's trash subs more and really alienate the work force! Sub-depreciation day!<br /><br />- Sub Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59760032696145562772016-05-05T11:45:03.498-07:002016-05-05T11:45:03.498-07:00Was Shauna Heath known for advancing a particular ...Was Shauna Heath known for advancing a particular philosophy within SPS? I wondered if her departure was just a random personnel thing, or the outcome of some philosophical struggle in the inner sanctum, and if her departure would signal any change.<br /><br />Or maybe it just seemed like a fine time to head for Brazil, what with the economy in depression, the government in crisis, riots in the street, and disease-ridden mosquitoes flying everywhere.Outsidernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51718247880313039842016-05-05T11:32:34.500-07:002016-05-05T11:32:34.500-07:00Apparently senior staff will leave no stone unturn...Apparently senior staff will leave no stone unturned in their quest to demonstrate how utterly out of touch they are with the community they are supposed to serve.<br /><br />We need a superintendent who will demonstrate leadership not pettiness.ConcernedSPSParenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15225940383725947861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50090703039059172452016-05-05T10:53:58.399-07:002016-05-05T10:53:58.399-07:00Every time there is a music sub in this district, ...Every time there is a music sub in this district, students teach the class. Even long term subs. That has been going on forever. Though more typically it is a student in that class.<br /><br />-HS ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33397762915990467202016-05-05T10:53:45.575-07:002016-05-05T10:53:45.575-07:00The district's constant mismanagement and refu...The district's constant mismanagement and refusal to follow common sense is really disturbing. A judge felt that Carol Burton had already been sufficiently penalized. This is just hurting kids so that district administrators can make a point about who is in charge.<br /><br />I continue to believe there need to be mass firings at the JSCEE. Is it time for a mass protest at the JSCEE? Occupy JSCEE until we see Nyland, Tolley, Pritchard, and others hand in their resignations?<br /><br />Because clearly, these problems aren't going to be solved by asking nicely.Greenwoodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67309894560404363302016-05-05T10:41:13.185-07:002016-05-05T10:41:13.185-07:00GarfieldMom, thanks for the info filling in. I...GarfieldMom, thanks for the info filling in. I'm frustrated also by the District's willingness to throw money at lawyers but not at teachers. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62308845948716939292016-05-05T10:13:35.388-07:002016-05-05T10:13:35.388-07:00I guess we'll be competing with all the other ...I guess we'll be competing with all the other singers for spots at SAAS and Northwest. It's a real shame. Garfield's program had a rep for being better than nearby private schools. Burton did that. SPS doesn't care.<br />-sad parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86344925395890422732016-05-05T10:12:06.244-07:002016-05-05T10:12:06.244-07:00I dunno. Maybe at this point the best thing would...I dunno. Maybe at this point the best thing would be to return Ms. Burton to Garfield choir. If she's going to be on the payroll, she might as well be doing what she's good at and where the students and families want her. Just send another teacher or school administrator along with her on overnight field trips.<br /><br />How can a sub walk out in the middle of the day and still have a job? Boggles the mind.<br /><br />How can there be no subs in the whole district who know something about music? Is there no attempt to find people qualified in different areas for the sub pool?<br /><br />Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42329604282527520252016-05-05T09:48:18.755-07:002016-05-05T09:48:18.755-07:00The District has two decisions to make. The first ...The District has two decisions to make. The first is to determine alternative consequences for Ms Burton's violation of procedure. The second is to assign her to a school.<br /><br />When making decisions, the district leadership tells us that they put the students' best interest first and foremost. They also tell us that nurturing and preserving relationships among students and teachers and in professional learning communities are super important.<br /><br />So, given Ms Burton's existing relationships with students, families, and colleagues, wouldn't it be in the students' best interest to reinstate her at Garfield?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65105414620446433612016-05-05T09:42:33.821-07:002016-05-05T09:42:33.821-07:00Not surprising news about the Alki principal. She&...Not surprising news about the Alki principal. She's married to Shauna Heath. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27833951988247132632016-05-05T09:42:07.238-07:002016-05-05T09:42:07.238-07:00The reason a long term sub with choir experience w...The reason a long term sub with choir experience wasn't hired is because there aren't any. Not even one sub qualified in music, in all of SPS. GarfieldMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85973017963405954502016-05-05T09:39:29.034-07:002016-05-05T09:39:29.034-07:00A full time replacement was hired for this year. S...A full time replacement was hired for this year. Students and parents gave him a chance (students were genuinely excited about working with him), but he couldn't make it work. He had no ability to build rapport with the students and started pitting them against each other, asking some students to "take his side" against other students. Many students found him to be sexist and homophobic -- not exactly qualities for success at Garfield. In March, he left on an "indefinite medical leave of absence" so technically he is still employed by SPS. (And apparently embarking on new self-employed business ventures as we speak.) <br /><br />When he left, the school immediately prepared a hiring notice for a new replacement teacher. No one has been dragging their feet trying to keep the job open for Burton.<br /><br />The district is paying three people right now for the position of choir/piano teacher at Garfield -- Burton, the teacher on leave, and a sub. Parents are paying AGAIN for a music director for the spring musical and for extra help for the choirs. The district has spent approximately $500,000 to date on this case, a case they were told long ago that they would not be likely to win. When you wonder why there's no money for IB programs or arts teachers, think about that. GarfieldMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89102297235281595682016-05-05T09:28:50.526-07:002016-05-05T09:28:50.526-07:00The more I hear about the program, the more questi...The more I hear about the program, the more questions I have. Why did the new permanent hire walk out? Was he not qualified to teach choir? Were there issues with the students because he wasn't Ms. Burton? Did he get support from the school admin? Were any grievances filed with the union? Something smells funny here, and I don't know what. <br /><br />After he left, why wasn't a long term sub with choir experience hired? Like Northwesterner said, there are people who would love that gig. Again, something smells funny. Bottom line, I very much appreciate the student's dedication to teach three classes, but as she said in testimony, she's not a qualified teacher. Why isn't a qualified teacher in front of those classes? Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62990252360994473992016-05-05T09:07:21.071-07:002016-05-05T09:07:21.071-07:00If the district didn't make a good-faith effor...<i>If the district didn't make a good-faith effort to find a real music teacher than it does look odd.</i><br /><br />Is it the district's job to replace her, or the school's? Is it possible that after the first replacement left, the school decided to go the sub route, in hopes that they'd get Burton back? That seems like a big gamble, because even if a judge ruled in her favor it didn't guarantee that she'd be reinstated to the same position. In some ways it makes sense to put her elsewhere, somewhere she won't be responsible for field trips. So who is really responsible for the lack of a good replacement all this time--the district, or the school?<br /><br />treble clefAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58779919583219213892016-05-05T08:56:23.388-07:002016-05-05T08:56:23.388-07:00The Alki principal is going to Brazil as well. Mu...The Alki principal is going to Brazil as well. Must be Trump.<br /><br />BernedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4723563668742797832016-05-05T08:28:02.207-07:002016-05-05T08:28:02.207-07:00I'm with Melissa and Charlie here.... It is ab...I'm with Melissa and Charlie here.... It is absolutely absurd that first, the permanent hire "walked out" and hasn't been back.<br /><br />Was he given a chance by the community or viewed as an inadequate replacement for Carol Burton and just gave up?<br /><br />Or was he truly unqualified to teach this position. <br /><br />I noted a few weeks ago that there are lots of people who are certified to and desire to teach music at the high school level, and very few 1.0 FTE jobs. I have more than a couple friends who always dreamed of being a music teacher (whether that was band, orchestra, choir, or all of the above), got their certification, and then struggled mightily to find a full time gig. It is mind blowing to me that a permanent replacement hasn't been found.<br /><br />Finally, for those demanding that Carol Burton go back into her past position immediately, well, I never figured that would happen. <br /><br />What if there was a permanent replacement in place, and that person would be shoved out for Burton? Why would anyone even accept that position? Is that part of the reason Garfield can't get a permanent replacement in place?<br /><br />Also, as I noted here a week ago, I've been involved in the private sector as a manager with unionized employees (I was part of that union, too, before I became manager). While I was there my boss chose to antagonize the union by terminating two long-term employees for what I felt was very questionable cause. <br /><br />They took their cases to arbitration. As I expected, we lost. Neither one returned to work in less than a month after the arbitration ruling. There were all kinds of details that had to be worked out, and in one case, both parties had to return to the arbitrator for multiple follow-up rulings spelling out exactly what the back pay, vacation, etc would be because both sides interpreted his ruling differently. It took close to 3 months to get him back to work (and back pay continued to accrue...). <br /><br />northwesternerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50265781480089445802016-05-05T08:01:17.564-07:002016-05-05T08:01:17.564-07:00Unknown, are you saying that if the district had h...Unknown, are you saying that if the district had hired a full-time replacement parents and students would reject that person? It's the district's call to put teachers where they want them. I'm with Charlie in being a bit baffled that they didn't find someone else.<br /><br />If the district didn't make a good-faith effort to find a real music teacher than it does look odd.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.com