tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3109478214049637544..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Moves to Install Nyland PermanentlyMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32482228323167082282014-11-30T23:09:08.280-08:002014-11-30T23:09:08.280-08:00I'm all for the so-called "Seattle Proces...I'm all for the so-called "Seattle Process". I think the so-called "Seattle Process" is great! <br /><br />Why would anyone complain about a city that at least attempts to hear from as broad a spectrum of people as possible when it comes to public policy decisions. <br /><br />What are you missing? Speed? Hyperactivity? Closed door proceedings? "Efficiency"? Or do you just like to criticize whatever appears to be the dominant way of doing things, no matter where you currently live? <br /><br />Or are you one of those people who just assumes that if it's "the government", then it MUST "be wrong!" <br /><br />I think that's called reactionary. <br /><br />So what's your recommended alternative, people to the supposedly ubiquitous and highly dislikable "Seattle Process?" Fascism?<br /><br />I come from a part of the country where the so-called "Seattle Process" never enters the minds of the criminally corrupt, cynical and "connected" crooks crush communities completely. <br /><br />You don't know what you've got, people, until you lose it. <br /><br />What IS most troubling about this is the lack of public notice and input. And if you want to see less of this behavior in high places, in the future, demand more of that so-called "Seattle Process". <br /><br />I only wish the "Seattle Process" was spoken of with pride and solid support instead of dismissed with such sardonic words and gestures. <br /><br />My ONLY problem with what some folks have called the "Seattle Process" is that I wish it were as widespread and prevalent as some people claim. <br /><br />If I have any complaints, it's that I wish we could see a lot more of it...here in Seattle. Jim Mellennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14241681852587239132014-11-28T14:22:23.963-08:002014-11-28T14:22:23.963-08:00CT, Follow the Money offered zero information so ...CT, Follow the Money offered zero information so it was unclear the basis for that claim. <br /><br />Done deal? No, it's not a done deal. But if you don't want it to happen, you can't sit on your hands.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22045260808651638982014-11-28T13:43:58.754-08:002014-11-28T13:43:58.754-08:00The takeover was foretold by poster "follow t...The takeover was foretold by poster "follow themoney" many months ago and this blog poo pooed it. It now seems like follow the money had information no one else had. <br /><br />So can this takeover be stopped or was follow themoney correct by writing it's a done deal?<br /><br />CTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40088941270862925962014-11-28T13:31:17.742-08:002014-11-28T13:31:17.742-08:00I have a lot of interesting STUFF about Peaslee fo...I have a lot of interesting STUFF about Peaslee for my public disclosure request. Maybe it's time to unleash the hounds?<br /><br />I wish we could get her recalled, it's does seem like she has been getting preferential placements for her own add in refusing to meet with her own constituents is grounds for a recall.<br /><br />I would recommend other members distant themselves from her "Peters" are you reading this.<br /><br />--Michael Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70525681778823438182014-11-28T13:24:54.148-08:002014-11-28T13:24:54.148-08:00The Marysville school district was a disaster with...The Marysville school district was a disaster with Nyland.<br /><br />http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140810/NEWS01/140819955 <br /><br />--MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7719030494894079072014-11-28T13:20:01.828-08:002014-11-28T13:20:01.828-08:00Annie S,
I suspect this will be Nyland's guid...Annie S,<br /><br />I suspect this will be Nyland's guiding document; a report from OSPI to the governor:<br /><br />http://www.governor.wa.gov/oeo/reports/SpecialEdTaskForce%20Report_Nov2014.pdf<br /><br />Peaslee's leadership is horrendous- at best. Did she make a deal to push bell times in exchange for a ram through hiring of the superintendent?Snakesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67321580254119639012014-11-28T11:46:44.773-08:002014-11-28T11:46:44.773-08:00"Talk to the hand" describes Director Pe..."Talk to the hand" describes Director Peaslee perfectly.<br /><br />It is almost December, and she hasn't held a single community meeting for the 2014-15 school year. It doesn't surprise me that she would attempt to pull off something like this, an intro/action item, with no community input.<br /><br />Parents are pleading for more transparency in SPS. If Dr. Nyland had simply directed his staff to resume the posting of monthly enrollment data, then I would think we were headed in the right direction with him at the helm. Instead, we have continued secrecy when it comes to enrollment numbers, contracts being signed in advance of Board votes, apparent favoritism when it comes to school staffing/funding, and underhanded moves like this one coming from Director Peaslee. <br /><br />The Board should do a search, even if just a regional one. If Dr. Nyland emerges as the best candidate, then great! The only downfside would be Director Peaslee's inevitable "I told you so" smugness, and a lecture during Board Comments, where she chastises the greater SPS community for wasting the Board's time and SPS resources on a search.<br /><br />- reality checkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49483200739959919492014-11-28T09:37:20.046-08:002014-11-28T09:37:20.046-08:00If you think you have it bad as parents now, just ...If you think you have it bad as parents now, just wait. Look up other cities like Chicago and NYC and see what their parent groups say about the "talk to the hand" attitude they get when school boards don't listen to parents and community.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37849596992630972622014-11-28T09:27:25.126-08:002014-11-28T09:27:25.126-08:00Speaking for myself as somebody who is active in t...Speaking for myself as somebody who is active in the special ed advocacy communities, I have to question what is going on here. There are already zero checks and balances in the corrective action plan in so far as having the voices and perspectives of families and community partners heard anywhere as to whether real change is being brought about. On top of this, Mr. Nyland has essentially dismantled his own special ed advisory and advocacy committee (SEAAC). That committee is dead for all intents and purposes. He isn't reaching out. The firewall is unique among recent central administrations. <br /><br />AnneSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60201771765924090482014-11-28T08:10:35.040-08:002014-11-28T08:10:35.040-08:00Half Full, the Board HAS been doing work towards t...Half Full, the Board HAS been doing work towards the process. They came up with criteria and I believe search firms were being vetted.<br /><br />In fact, the committee meeting I was sitting in, the discussion was very detailed so I don't think it was for show.<br /><br />I think something has changed and marching orders have been given.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45381631221970356892014-11-27T22:15:54.526-08:002014-11-27T22:15:54.526-08:00From the Seattle Times:
"Board President Sha...From the Seattle Times:<br /><br />"Board President Sharon Peaslee declined to comment Thursday on whether the proposal to hire Nyland has the support of a majority of the board, saying, “I would never venture to predict how my colleagues are going to vote.”<br /><br />She would not discuss how the idea of hiring Nyland as the permanent superintendent came about, because, she said, those conversations took place in executive session."<br /><br />Odd.Samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47394581419654727582014-11-27T22:10:45.833-08:002014-11-27T22:10:45.833-08:00Interesting article in the Seattle Times.
Article...<br />Interesting article in the Seattle Times.<br /><br />Article indicates that Nyland wants to "change course" with special ed. What does this mean?<br /><br /><br />http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025118070_nylandpermanentxml.html<br /><br />Samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12063712341286482582014-11-27T14:14:30.185-08:002014-11-27T14:14:30.185-08:00Lately I've been wondering if the public shoul...Lately I've been wondering if the public should elect the SPS Superintendent. It seems we'd have a greater voice that way on the direction the school district goes. As it is, 7 board members making the selection is not working out very well and meanwhile the status quo of our district's problems just go on and on. Has anyone analyzed something like that? Kate Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47804103004623170412014-11-27T14:12:25.662-08:002014-11-27T14:12:25.662-08:00Wait a minute--have they not been searching all al...Wait a minute--have they not been searching all along? I thought the search process was supposed to have been underway a long time ago?<br /><br />HalfFullAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57286795716218532002014-11-27T13:29:56.093-08:002014-11-27T13:29:56.093-08:00Nyland is NOT a 'value-add' proposition.
...Nyland is NOT a 'value-add' proposition.<br /><br />Let's just move on.<br /><br />How much difference does he/a super really make anyways? At best, they are irrelevant... like Banda was. Banda's contribution to our kids for the all the cash we forked over to him? Nothing, unless you count the damage done to SpEd programs through neglect, and, the capacity crisis that worsened on his watch. "And the band played on" comes to mind.<br /><br />Nyland is bad news. He'll treat the Board/Us as an 'after thought'; witness preschool (umh, mandate?), witness signing a grant without approval to do so (oops, his mae culpa, "who knew", umh, you should, dude; you've been at this for 20 years), witness the play for the $53 million downtown property without any analysis. Scary.<br /><br />I would rather have Phil Brockman back. He knows and cares about kids. Yeah, "kids", the widgets in the system. He already gets Seattle and what the worst problems are and who the players are (the good, the bad, and the ugly -- he would clean house, and, put the $ back into the schools, not the fiefdom of the JSCEE).<br /><br />This is so wrong. Hiring Nyland after 3 major mistakes in 2 months? Peaslee wants him because she is confident she can control him. <br /><br />SCARED and SCARREDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35813115119598700962014-11-27T11:23:27.811-08:002014-11-27T11:23:27.811-08:00" This is too important to just rubber stamp ..." This is too important to just rubber stamp him after two uneven months - and especially after a very serious financial failure on his part."<br /><br />I agree. There must be an investigation around this issue. It does NOT make sense that an experienced superintendent would sign a grant for $750K without board approval. We need to know whether or not Nyland had legal counsel on this issue, too. Who was in the room with Nyland and what advice did he receive?<br /><br />The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and this issue must be explored before hiring Nyland.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33008703688754744482014-11-27T10:53:58.330-08:002014-11-27T10:53:58.330-08:00"I hate the "Seattle process" as mu..."I hate the "Seattle process" as much as the next citizen, but I hate railroad jobs far worse."<br /><br />Absolutely shameful.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58695047226254018242014-11-27T10:37:50.526-08:002014-11-27T10:37:50.526-08:00Sounds like a naked power grab. The power brokers ...Sounds like a naked power grab. The power brokers have a super in place who does their bidding, so why risk a candidate search that might put an unknown in that role?<br /><br />AdamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11463244315770917122014-11-27T10:28:09.671-08:002014-11-27T10:28:09.671-08:00Two posts ago, another complaint about the mayor&#...Two posts ago, another complaint about the mayor's office and its designs on SPS. But this is better?<br /> <br />Questionable motives, secret agendas, and ongoing general incompetence continue at the district level. Whether it's changing the Board or school governance as a whole, big changes need to be made. It's not hard to see why all options should be on the table. <br />Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74233213820122457312014-11-27T10:26:12.562-08:002014-11-27T10:26:12.562-08:00I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Mr. Nyland ...I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Mr. Nyland is clearly playing well to the right "crowd" - those who seek to make SPS part of Mayor Murray's fiefdom. Frankly, the BMGF snafu kinda fits in - it's ammunition for making SPS look soooo bad that it must change. And that change must be Mayoral control and/or appointment of the Board.<br /><br />I hope that there are some wiser minds on the Board who will not let this, as Ivan accurately calls it, "railroad job" move forward. <br /><br />I have seriously lost all respect for Director Peaslee - talk about co-opted!<br /><br />reader47Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1921072533998803562014-11-27T09:45:56.729-08:002014-11-27T09:45:56.729-08:00I can tell people right now how the Seattle Times ...I can tell people right now how the Seattle Times will spin this in an editorial. They will call it a welcome blow against "Seattle process." <br /><br />Liars and hypocrites that they are, they will ignore, as if it had never existed, their constant (and admirable) beating of the drum for openness and transparency in government.<br /><br />I hate the "Seattle process" as much as the next citizen, but I hate railroad jobs far worse. This is a railroad job, plain and simple, and our message needs to be only this: No railroad jobs.<br /><br />Demonstrators should pack the Board meeting Wednesday night armed with toy train whistles. Toys R Us stocks them.<br /><br />-- Ivan WeissAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11172897009907904872014-11-27T09:14:01.971-08:002014-11-27T09:14:01.971-08:00My sources told me there was a big push for this. ...My sources told me there was a big push for this. Whether it was certain Board members or outside influence, I don't know. <br /><br />It is hard to discern who EXACTLY would be for this but I suspect the two middle people are Peaslee and McLaren. And I am very disappointed.<br /><br />If this had at least been an Intro item, maybe. But that it is Intro/Action (which again, is for emergencies and given no press release on the need for this urgency, then no), I feel it is a grave disservice.<br /><br />I have let other media types know as I'm sure none of them look at the agenda. Let's see the Times spin this one.<br /><br />Longtime, you're right - I often get fooled by what people say during election time and what they do. That said, I never expected or said any four people would always vote in lockstep. <br /><br />Enfield? Not doing so great in Highline. <br /><br />Lynn, in my haste last night, I left out that item. Yes, it appears the district will be bidding on the Federal Reserve building. Again, no dollars so I expect to see some BEX IV project slowed down because of it. I don't know where else they could get the funds unless - gasp! - some downtown entity suddenly felt generous.<br /><br />"Are they trying to run the district into the ground?"<br /><br />Some of them are. It helps the Mayor's case.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37110194189461699972014-11-27T08:43:11.182-08:002014-11-27T08:43:11.182-08:00There are times when I look at Seattle Public Scho...There are times when I look at Seattle Public Schools leadership and think "folks, this is not a competition where you try to do your job as badly as possible." Because sometimes it seems like they're trying to do that.<br /><br />SPS's superintendents since Stanford have run the gamut from decent to incompetent to rule-breaking. Only a few years ago SPS fired its own superintendent over mismanaging funds. Nyland has already...managed to violate major district policy. The Board knew about that. Are they trying to run the district into the ground?cmjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02451641218340300556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30668915343507001962014-11-27T05:58:39.155-08:002014-11-27T05:58:39.155-08:00Why would this item be for introduction and action...Why would this item be for introduction and action at the same meeting? What's the urgency?<br /><br />There is no urgency. The reason for introduction and action at one meeting is to diminish public comment.<br /><br />Let's remember that the reason for introduction of motions at one meeting and action on the motion at a subsequent meeting is to allow for public review, input, and comment. Therefore, in the absence of any real urgency, the only reason to take away that time gap is to suppress public review, input, and comment.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29997592234712265232014-11-26T23:42:19.535-08:002014-11-26T23:42:19.535-08:00There has been a stunning lack of transparency aro...There has been a stunning lack of transparency around the entire preschool initiative with the city.<br /><br />We know Nyland signed an agreement with Gates prior to board approval. <br /><br />I's say: If Nyland signed an agreement with the city and didn't get board approval, he has to go.Gadsnoreply@blogger.com