tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4606928279597175869..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: NTN ContractMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53428771117036272282010-03-01T09:43:04.005-08:002010-03-01T09:43:04.005-08:00So I have heard from a couple of directors now (Di...So I have heard from a couple of directors now (Director Martin-Morris has it on his blog) that staff is preparing answers about the NTN contract.<br /><br />But that won't do.<br /><br />None of my questions are about the contract. My questions are all about the Board and the due diligence job they did.<br /><br />Did they read the contract? They say they did, but if they did then why didn't they ask any questions about the requirements having to do with the two separate schools? If they did, then why didn't they correct staff who referred to the capacity of STEM at 1,000?<br /><br />Why didn't they ask any questions about the need for Project-Based Learning? Why didn't they ask why PBL has to be used in EVERY class? Why the absolutism? Why didn't they ask why the PBL has to be fully implemented in every class starting on opening day? Why the urgency?<br /><br />These aren't questions about the contract or the pedagogy or the staff's decision-making process; these are questions about the Board's due diligence process and practice - or lack thereof.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1451460963796583032010-02-27T11:28:38.244-08:002010-02-27T11:28:38.244-08:00Charlie this should be a fairly easy contract to g...Charlie this should be a fairly easy contract to get out of:<br /><br />I think that most of the inaccurate information in the Action Report was provided by NTN. The is plenty of inaccurate info. it extends beyond the usual cherry-picking.<br /><br />It is definitely time for TEAM MG-J to go away. Since Jan 15th I've seen, learned or discovered:<br /><br />#1 Some Board members make decisions no reasonable director would make to support the MG-J TEAM.<br /><br />#2 MG-J recommends discriminatory "Mathematically Unsound" materials.<br /><br />#3 TEAM MGJ spends two weeks plus describing one thing 1 STEM school then contracts to buy something different 2 PBL Schools.<br /><br />#4 TEAM MGJ is totally inept or disinterested in doing any research on the efficacy of the NTN product, preferring to simply print and apparently believe the vendor's claims. <br /><br />#5 Board members frequently make decisions without weighing the evidence. Members elected in 2007 need training in how to evaluate evidence in making a decision.<br /><br />#6 It is often easy to determine the right thing to do. How long does it take to decide to comply with a superior court order?<br /><br />#7 Some directors use the information that I spend many hours researching to find (because staff does not) and others don't. In fact with Sundquist and Maier I would say never give my data any respect. Proof their HS math votes, NTN votes, and explanations given at the time of each vote.<br /><br />How can a reasonable director make such votes? <br /><br />These are not reasonable Directors.<br /><br />With Performance Management vote coming on March 17, things are not looking good. MG-J has stated that "Broad" is not an advocate for charters. I found that not to be true. Mr. Broad is an advocate for charters.<br /><br />#8 The is little evidence that decisions that should involve an overall awareness of the financial big picture are made appropriately.<br /><br />#9 Several Board members need to be recalled and TEAM MG-J needs to be relieved of duty.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74766490897666516172010-02-27T10:12:01.716-08:002010-02-27T10:12:01.716-08:00Here's a charming clause from the contract:
(...Here's a charming clause from the contract:<br /><br /><i>(d) Survival of Obligations. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, District will promptly pay to NT all outstanding amounts due under this Agreement. Such obligation to pay will survive termination of this Agreement along with all of the following provisions of this Agreement: 3 through 19.</i>"<br /><br />Even if the District cancels the contract, they will still owe NTN the whole amount.<br /><br />Doesn't the District have any lawyers who can negotiate a contract? Doesn't the District have any lawyers who consider contingencies?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18997597372511160932010-02-26T19:22:14.062-08:002010-02-26T19:22:14.062-08:00Dan, As to your inquiry, the (10 not 27)STEM hig...Dan, As to your inquiry, the (10 not 27)STEM high schools in the NTN are:<br /><br /><b>Indiana</b><br /><br />New Tech School of IDEAS, Decatur<br /><br />Columbus Signature Academy<br /><br />New Tech @ Ft. Wayne High School (school opened 2009)<br /><br /><b>Louisiana</b><br /><br />Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy<br /><br /><b>New York</b><br /><br />Tech Valley High School<br /><br />North Carolina<br /><br />Anson New Tech<br /><br />Warren New Tech<br /><br /><b>Texas</b><br /><br />Manor New Tech<br /><br />METSA (Carrollton)<br /><br />ATEMS (Abilene)<br /><br />Take care. Best, Michael<br /><br />=======================<br />I'll go Sahila one better MG-J should be fired with cause. No buy out just Bye-Bye.<br /><br />Everyone held accountable ... she be a good role model for accountability.<br /><br />Did we ever find out which contract was where and what we bought for $800,000? ... what leadership....dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6439756625144428292010-02-26T19:19:56.772-08:002010-02-26T19:19:56.772-08:00The PBL pie is not big enough to worry about.
The...The PBL pie is not big enough to worry about.<br /><br />The broader issue is ongoing decision-making that is seriously flawed. The board does not consider evidence in decision-making. A few members may but there are always at least four who are oblivious to evidence. The staff seemingly operates on a predetermined outcome so what is the point of research.<br /><br />Some recent legal history may be needed. Use the slider to watch from minute 22:15 to 28:30. <a href="http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4538" rel="nofollow">Click HERE.</a><br /><b><i><br />Accountability will never happen if it is not required.</i></b><br /><br />The NTN Contract was flawed beyond belief. This was a done deal apparently from the 'git go as no one from the SPS did any research on NTN. They believed the vendors brochures, which contained an a large number of errors. Once again in explaining his decision Director Sundquist used information from the action report. This time it was flawed. He spoke about good achievement at their more established schools. That would be NT Sacramento ... but like most NTN schools their EOC tests scores are pitiful in math. Their API scores fell like a rock annually 6, 5, 4, 3.<br /><br />Other pure fiction included NT Sacramento with a 98% graduation rate and the highest graduation rate of all Sacramento High Schools.<br /><br />Marty and I went to court in hopes we could find someone who wanted to use accurate relevant data to make a decision. we put in hundreds of hours of work and lots of folks are helping to pay a $13,140 legal bill.<br /><br />Where are we now? is the board going to appeal a decision that says.... you cannot exclude evidence from the public. You must use all the evidence in decision-making ... so try it again using all the evidence.<br /><br />The board did not examine all the evidence in the NTN situation .. because again I provided test scores from California Colorado and Oregon showing these schools were not worth copying at any price.<br /><br />There is a pattern here and if you do not like it, then do something about it. Trust me the pie is never worth it in the long run.<br />============================<br /><br />Plan to stop the nonsense.<br /><br />#1. File recall petitions to recall everyone that voted for "Discovering". The Spector decision is clear evidence of misfeasance on the part of any director that voted yes: Sundquist, Maier, Carr.<br /><br />#2 Gather 40,000 signatures against each for recall (32,000 valid signatures are needed) but with signed twice and not registered etc best be safe.<br /><br />#3 Recall election vote to recall each of these three directors.<br /><br />#4 This is what is called accountability. None of these three have shown any relevant evidence that they use evidence in making decisions. Calling vendors to get their opinion of the product they market is not evidence.<br /><br />==============<br /><br />On or before Friday Mach 5 file an appeal of the NTN decision.<br /><br />Looking at the fact that MG-J has been incredibly inadequate. She is the superintendent and secretary of the School Board. Why didn't the board use all the evidence? Why did they exclude all the evidence from the public in making their decision. As superintendent and board secretary does MG-J have no responsibility for this. Why is the information in the NTN action report so far away from being accurate. <br />(2/3) of the 41 NTN schools are STEM schools .. that would be 27 out of 41. I finally got an email from the right person Michael DiMaggio.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48484611322343605212010-02-26T18:05:10.915-08:002010-02-26T18:05:10.915-08:00I believe strongly in sticking up for long lasting...I believe strongly in sticking up for long lasting principals and better outcomes in the long run.<br /><br />A few year back I asked a friend to join the NAACP of which I am a member. My friend is African-American. He said no way they will not get $30/year from me. I asked why?<br /><i> Because they have morphed into the complain dept. and nothing more.</i><br /><br />How do you figure?<br /><br /><i>Well ... when they had no piece of the pie in pre-1966 days, they did something and accomplished a lot over about 70 years. Then they got a little piece of the pie and have not done much since.</i><br /><br />I asked if the NAACP sued OSPI if that would change his mind.<br /><br /><i>He said of course it would. They have just cause and they would get my $30 and a lot more.... But they won't, because someone might lose some pie.</i><br /><br />So I have Black friends who have paid big bucks to get life-time NAACP memberships to help advance the cause. The complaint department is a necessary function but so is advancing broader systemic improvements. The contrast of the first 70 years and the last 40+ is something to consider. Is the pie that good?dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3511554184397452852010-02-26T16:42:22.830-08:002010-02-26T16:42:22.830-08:00The GOOD being done by challenging this (as with a...The GOOD being done by challenging this (as with all the other challenges), is that we slow this juggernaut down, we remind the District and the Board that they work for our kids and us - not private enterprise and Eli Broad and Bill Gates and Mike Milken - and we teach our kids not to take roughshodding lying down and to insist on good governance - a really important life lesson worth a little bit of upheaval in their formal learning curve....<br /><br />They are not going to lose their places in college because we parents grew a backbone and said" Enough is enough...<br /><br />The only proviso I would offer is to be strategically clever, so that we are not left in the position of handing MGJ complete power to do carry out the rest of the Broad/Gates/Milken agenda...<br /><br />What we should be doing is coming up with and implementing a strategy that gets MGJ (and the other Broad people) out of SPS and all the reformists such as The Alliance, LEV, PTSA de-clawed....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45912928085695189442010-02-26T12:10:02.925-08:002010-02-26T12:10:02.925-08:00FYI, I did leave out one other concern simply beca...FYI, I did leave out one other concern simply because I didn't want the post to be overly long. One other facet of the NTN contract is that they want to district to restrict as much as possible and as narrowly as possible any requests for information that they might consider protected. Now what they consider protected might not be but the contract specifies that they want the district to give out as little information as possible. <br /><br />I do know that at least one reporter has contacted NTN for any comments they may have. My request for the final contract, either sent to me or put online, has received no feedback yet. <br /><br />We'll see.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1483667134698748832010-02-26T11:55:44.422-08:002010-02-26T11:55:44.422-08:00Could they just ADMIT they were WRONG and say they...Could they just ADMIT they were WRONG and say they are SORRY for once?!Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49426169890741803812010-02-26T09:03:50.395-08:002010-02-26T09:03:50.395-08:00Ahhh...damned if we do; damned if we don't. I ...Ahhh...damned if we do; damned if we don't. I think the District counts on this, knowing that what harms them as an entity can also harm students. So we squawk, and they ignore. There's got to be a better way, but for the life of me I don't know what it is.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8884922094004597802010-02-26T06:07:36.649-08:002010-02-26T06:07:36.649-08:00Agreed and that's why I haven't jumped on ...Agreed and that's why I haven't jumped on the bandwagon for a recall. Are there other things to be done? Yes. Is there public calling out to be done? If what we fear is the case, yes.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45696495099364262272010-02-26T05:56:03.684-08:002010-02-26T05:56:03.684-08:00Depending on the response from the Board members a...Depending on the response from the Board members and the slim possibility of a final version of the NTN contract, I think we have an interesting choice before us.<br /><br />While there can be little doubt that the decision to enter into the NTN contract was arbitrary and capricious, particularly if we get confirmation that the Board members didn't read the contract, would it really serve anyone any good to appeal the contract approval in Court?<br /><br />There are a lot of reasons to think that an appeal would be successful. There is the arbitrary decision to go with Project-Based Learning - never discussed or questioned. There is the arbitrary decision to make EVERY class taught through PBL - never discussed or questioned. The is the arbitrary decision to make every class taught through PBL starting with the first day of school - never discussed or questioned. There is the caprice of comparing a PBL provider, NTN, against STEM providers - never discussed or questioned - and rejecting the STEM providers because they couldn't meet the arbitrary standard of providing PBL for every class starting on the first day of school. Finally, there is the cherry on top: the Board members appear not to have read the terms of the contract, or at least they never discussed them or questioned them.<br /><br />So let's say that a group of citizens appealed this Board decision to King County Superior Court. They would have a very strong case. Would that be a good thing?<br /><br />No doubt it would have a negative impact on enrollment at STEM. It would also have a negative impact on recruitment at STEM. Since a lot of the Cleveland teachers are choosing to leave (with super seniority status), the school needs to recruit as many teachers to replace them. It's also sure to have a negative impact on the morale at STEM. It is also sure to have a negative impact on the fundraising for STEM - the District still believes that STEM will attract a lot of grant money, but I don't know if the grant money will come with a Court case pending.<br /><br />Then, when the case is decided - and probably decided against the District sometime after school starts - it will leave STEM without the support it needs to continue the PBL style of teaching it used at the start of the year. STEM can adopt another model and go forward without NTN - that's for sure. But what GOOD will be done?<br /><br />The District will save a lot of money - the $800,000 gets paid out in quarterly installments. But how will this serve the students? I suppose there will be some LAP dollars that will become available for other schools. Other than that, I don't see much benefit from reversing this decision.<br /><br />What do you all think? Is it a worthwhile pursuit? Just because a thing CAN be done doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40276669035810785452010-02-25T19:46:38.626-08:002010-02-25T19:46:38.626-08:00I'm trying to bring this story to the attentio...I'm trying to bring this story to the attention of Nina Shapiro, Linda Shaw, Lynne Varner, and Scott Sunde.<br /><br />I have written to the STEM email box and left a message on the STEM hotline. No response as yet.<br /><br />I suggest a number of other folks write to the STEM email address and call the STEM hotline about this.<br /><br />stem@seattleschools.org<br />206-252-0046Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49039578117821893512010-02-25T19:43:29.749-08:002010-02-25T19:43:29.749-08:00The contract on the web site is dated 2/2/2010, on...The contract on the web site is dated 2/2/2010, one day before the vote.<br /><br />Even if there were a later version - which I doubt - how could it be that as late as one day before the vote it still included all of the talk about completely separate schools?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19054745675287976062010-02-25T17:27:05.998-08:002010-02-25T17:27:05.998-08:00I wrote to all the directors about my concerns abo...I wrote to all the directors about my concerns about NTN - they have a hard copy and I reiterated them in an e-mail. <br /><br />I wrote to Joy Stevens (and cc'd Harium, Gary Ikeda/Ron English of Legal) asked for the final, signed contract to be put on the website immediately. I know this can be done because it exists. If the wrong one is there and we are barking up the wrong tree, then straighten this out now. I asked that this be expedited as they can be very slow in public disclosure request turnaround. <br /><br />If not, then whatever the fallout is, that's their problem and they brought it on themselves.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14473792549545581222010-02-25T14:54:09.354-08:002010-02-25T14:54:09.354-08:00Melissa - you mention the media. I just read in th...Melissa - you mention the media. I just read in the Puget Sound Business Journal that KPLU News in Seattle has added an education reporter Charla Bear. Maybe another person to send info to.yumpearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743377713821805012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78233802080075638512010-02-25T14:38:15.385-08:002010-02-25T14:38:15.385-08:00So, can anyone get a copy of the final contract th...So, can anyone get a copy of the final contract that was signed by the Board? I find this more disturbing than any of the debacles already passed.<br /><br />How can a Board member vote on something they haven't read? This is worse than our congressional reps voting on bloated bills with unknown add-ons.<br /><br />With all of the cuts the District is planning on making for 2010-11, it is unconscionable to think that they would proceed with the STEM program in its present incarnation.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8964903236951247372010-02-25T13:45:53.537-08:002010-02-25T13:45:53.537-08:00Yes, that's what Harium has led me to believe,...Yes, that's what Harium has led me to believe, that what is posted isn't correct. Then why post it?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18285631810538165832010-02-25T13:23:44.377-08:002010-02-25T13:23:44.377-08:00I could not find any record of any discussion of t...I could not find any record of any discussion of the NTN contract.<br /><br />I could not find any record of any intimation that STEM would be two separate schools with separate staffs - including principals.<br /><br />I could not find any record of any discussion of the terms of the NTN contract.<br /><br />More and more it appears that the Board members did not read the contract.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4940141846416208122010-02-25T12:36:04.510-08:002010-02-25T12:36:04.510-08:00I have an email from Kay Smith-Blum in which she s...I have an email from Kay Smith-Blum in which she says that she was told that the terms of the contract were different than what was posted to the District web site.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90755328425983274842010-02-25T09:35:46.385-08:002010-02-25T09:35:46.385-08:00Has anyone asked Kay Smith Blum what she thinks ab...Has anyone asked Kay Smith Blum what she thinks about the contract?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71766770573367510212010-02-25T08:11:28.360-08:002010-02-25T08:11:28.360-08:00I have let some in the media know about this. Whe...I have let some in the media know about this. When Harium told me I was wrong naturally I thought "maybe I missed something or they didn't post everything." But I looked at the criteria page that he mentioned and then the Fee page and thought what Charlie thought. They are not going to do it the NTN way. <br /><br />This and then I go to the Work Session and hear all the things that have to go away plus STEM still needs another $180K (what the heck is the $2.6 in the BTA for then besides computers for each student?). Is STEM the altar that we sacrifice everything else? Something is wrong here.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77607645670298959502010-02-25T07:47:23.828-08:002010-02-25T07:47:23.828-08:00Given that the terms of the contract with NTN requ...Given that the terms of the contract with NTN require two separate schools with totally separate identities, sites, staffs, principals, IT administrators, and state testing codes, it is becoming increasingly clear that the members of the School Board either:<br /> <br />A) did not read the contract with NTN<br /> <br />B) intentionally mislead the public about the plans for STEM<br /> <br />or<br /> <br />C) fully intend to violate the terms of the contract with NTN<br /> <br />Which is it?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56904178600141947812010-02-25T07:35:04.191-08:002010-02-25T07:35:04.191-08:00It has become clear that the Board members did not...It has become clear that the Board members did not read the contract.<br /><br />That fact, by itself, makes their approval of the contract an arbitrary and capricious act.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79847514465797444562010-02-25T02:07:01.864-08:002010-02-25T02:07:01.864-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.com