tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8007875787062941398..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5403942411787516272019-07-16T20:15:21.861-07:002019-07-16T20:15:21.861-07:00We’ll be closing here.
I say to SPS SPED and No...We’ll be closing here. <br /><br />I say to SPS SPED and Nope - no more cryptic comments. Explain yourself or don’t post.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87778279358515436512019-07-16T19:33:30.411-07:002019-07-16T19:33:30.411-07:00Do you hear that sound? It's the latch on pand...Do you hear that sound? It's the latch on pandora's box being opened. <br /><br />Thank you to Ms. Harris.<br /><br />SPS SPED Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10876495260897144962019-07-16T18:31:13.717-07:002019-07-16T18:31:13.717-07:00I don’t imagine there are many students who are no...I don’t imagine there are many students who are not attending SPS that are receiving support.<br /><br />My child qualified for an hour of pullout everyday, when she was K-8.<br />She attended private school for k-2.<br />The reason she attended a school that only had 25 students and three full time teachers, is because her special needs required much more than an hour of pull out a day.<br /><br />Additionally, while I considered having her attend pullout to receive occupational therapy, it was not available at the closest public elementary school to her private school, which was unfortunate as someone from her private school would have walked her over when needed.<br /><br />Instead, what SPS had in mind, was for her to be picked up by taxi and taken to our neighborhood school, which would have meant she missed at least two hours of her school day for likely minimal return.<br /><br />A few things made this a no go.<br /><br />First, one of the main reasons she was not attending our neighborhood school was not only that the class size was overwhelming to her ( along with the noise level), but that I had a problem with the teaching style of the SPED teacher that she would have been working with.<br />I did not think techniques such as shaming, and taking away desired activities like recess, work well in the long run with young children.<br /><br />I also was disturbed that SPS thought that random taxi drivers were a suitable option for transportation, given that she would often not ride in a car with male family members, and tended to do things like flee or attempt to if put in that situation.<br /><br />Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84131780780601688532019-07-16T17:22:10.237-07:002019-07-16T17:22:10.237-07:00loose
/lo͞os/
adjective
1. not firmly or tightly f...loose<br />/lo͞os/<br />adjective<br />1. not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached.<br />"a loose tooth"<br />synonyms: not fixed in place, not secure, insecure, unsecured, unattached; More<br />2. (of a garment) not fitting tightly or closely.<br />"she slipped into a loose T-shirt and shorts"<br />synonyms: baggy, loose-fitting, easy-fitting, generously cut, slack, roomy, boyfriend; More<br />verb<br />1. set free; release.<br />"the hounds have been loosed"<br />synonyms: free, set free, unloose, turn loose, set loose, let loose, let go, release, liberate; More<br />Tip<br />Similar-sounding words<br /><b>loose is sometimes confused with lose</b><br /><br />Nope<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68328843887402000962019-07-16T13:58:30.891-07:002019-07-16T13:58:30.891-07:00Teachers contracts continue throughout the state. ...Teachers contracts continue throughout the state. With experience, teachers have the capacity to earn $120K plus benefits.<br /><br /><br />There is a thing called summer loss. Students loose reading and math skills during the summer. With salaries reaching $120K, it is time for students experiencing summer loss to receive instruction. Do you think Seattle Education Association would agree?<br />Summer Lossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28540245165564571522019-07-15T23:04:14.139-07:002019-07-15T23:04:14.139-07:00@Rent Nonprofit organizations operating schools ar...@Rent Nonprofit organizations operating schools are exempt from property tax. <br /><br />Fairmount ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91038699131258420222019-07-15T15:43:01.353-07:002019-07-15T15:43:01.353-07:00I would like to own a Ferrari like Christie Brinkl...I would like to own a Ferrari like Christie Brinkley but looking at my bank account through the equity lens I was told NO!<br /><br />Will SPS use their self described equity lens when writting checks? Maybe the state should fund hard luck cases directly, why muddy up the district's accounting? Having a hard luck case listed in the budget makes it seem like the district did something wrong and that's always the case.<br /><br />Medicare should cover these cases without it costing 100s of thousands of dollars.<br /><br />Ms Equity <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30946426604172058582019-07-15T14:13:39.779-07:002019-07-15T14:13:39.779-07:00I wasn't trying to blame or imply anything wit...I wasn't trying to blame or imply anything with my question. I'm genuinely curious how SPS pays for speech therapy (or whatever other SPED service) for a student who isn't enrolled. How many SPED students are there in Seattle who aren't enrolled in SPS?<br /><br />SPS seems to believe that low SES students cost more to educate. Otherwise why would you have all the equity tiers and levies and free dentist services and a nurse at school and free food and all the other stuff that SPS has at some schools but not all schools. South Shore HS is super expensive compared to the other high schools. <br /><br />And private school applications get turned down all the time. Private schools are definitely not interested in every child.LMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50524017244734333232019-07-15T12:04:44.085-07:002019-07-15T12:04:44.085-07:00@ West Seattleite,
I don't know a thing about...@ West Seattleite,<br /><br />I don't know a thing about Manuela Slye, but I will point out that MANY parents in SPS are highly educated (race/ethnicity doesn't make one more/less qualified), are multilingual, have or have had kids at all grade levels, have kids with special needs (IEP, 504, HC, ELL, etc.), are regular school volunteers, etc. In other words, the assets you noted don't sound all that notable to me. Slye may still be a good candidate in the future if interested (I have no clue), but policies, beliefs, stance on key issues, focus areas, etc. are all way more important to me than a candidate's personal demographics and general resume. <br /><br />Most parents probably aren't preschool teachers/founders, true. But many DO have equally (or even more) relevant experience working with underserved youth, social service programs, neighborhood organizations; managing large organizations; collaborating across stakeholder groups; working with community; reviewing budgets; writing policies; evaluating data/organizations/staff; etc. <br /><br />I'd also suggest that while experience on district committees, task forces, and panels may give one some unique insights into how SPS functions (or doesn't!), it also may reflect that a candidate is "more of the same" in some cases. It's often not easy to get such a role unless you are seen as pro-district on whatever the issue is. If there's any indication that you're going to push agains the outcome the district wants, good luck being chosen for the group. This is not always the case, of course, but it seems to be the general pattern. Some school-based positions (e.g., BLT) are also nearly impossible for parents to access at their school, so while it may be a plus for someone lucky enough to be included, it's not really a level playing field. <br /><br />Nothing against Slye, here--simply commenting on your premise.<br /><br />Positions matterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4514153887007117842019-07-15T12:04:28.944-07:002019-07-15T12:04:28.944-07:00WestSeattlite, you should start a campaign if you ...WestSeattlite, you should start a campaign if you think Slye is good. That would be a first as far as I know but far fewer people vote in school board elections (as compared to say, City Council). It could happen. However, if Slye, like me, doesn’t want to be on the Board, she might refuse. <br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63748986271244817282019-07-15T11:44:41.989-07:002019-07-15T11:44:41.989-07:00Another factor never mentioned is property costs a...Another factor never mentioned is property costs and taxes. Seattle school district pays nothing for these freebies. The cost to private schools for the land and taxes that they reside on is mind boggling. A small private school needs at least 20 million to even get the property and building to startup. So, while private schools in the area cost around 30 grand in tuition, at least half of that is rent/mortgage and taxes. The 20 grand spending per pupil in SPS is not encumbered by property acquisition. If it did, we’d see the real figures of more like 40 or 50 grand per student. I’m sure we would still blame it on the SPED kids.<br /><br /><br />RentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3766916595479190462019-07-15T11:11:47.778-07:002019-07-15T11:11:47.778-07:00Leslie Harris is just fine but I think change can ...Leslie Harris is just fine but I think change can we good. I am not familiar with her opponents but I have heard a large of number of West Seattle people where hoping for Manuela Slye to run for school board. Instead she took the presidency of SCPTSA. It was not the right time for her, I guess. She has been a constant presence in schools in this area and I did some research myself to find out what that was all about. Here:<br />- Highly educated Latina<br />- Early childhood educator<br />- Multilingual<br />- Parent of kids in elementary, middle and high schoolers<br />- SPED and AP parent<br />- School volunteer<br />- Leadership volunteer experience (PTSA, BLT, Steering committees, Task Forces) at Title 1 schools and schools in privileged neighborhoods<br />- Experience sitting in hiring panels at school and district levels<br />- Management/budget experience - she founded and directs two language immersion schools both north and south of the bridge canal<br /> I have seen her in meetings. She is measured and composed. And not a very good public speaker, but you can't have it all.<br />Maybe she will get enough write-ins and we get her to serve. I wish<br /><br />West Seattleite<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60441392471289304802019-07-15T10:41:03.518-07:002019-07-15T10:41:03.518-07:00@fore
My point was just that much of the salary in...@fore<br />My point was just that much of the salary increase was due to the family leave act which effects all workers not just teachers. As someone with no children or living parents it doesn’t really help me any. I do however, think it’s a good thing. <br /><br />I came to teaching later and have also worked jobs with no benefits or raises and that is why I prefer unions even if they aren’t perfect <br /><br />Alsept Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11535554754700688071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14689775764625901502019-07-15T10:40:03.899-07:002019-07-15T10:40:03.899-07:00@LM, the idea that private school students are &qu...@LM, the idea that private school students are "Seattle's easiest to educate students" is...false. Many families who can choose private schools specifically because their children are NOT easy to educate, and need something additional and/or different than what they can get in one-size-fits-all SPS classrooms. (By the way, is it cheaper to educate a higher SES student than a more typical SES student? Past figures I've seen re: average-cost-per-student by school were all over the board, and did NOT seem to align with average SES of families at that school. The district doesn't provide a lot of "extras" for high-FRL schools--and to they extent they do, these are often matched by parents at low-FRL schools. Plus, if low-FRL schools tend to get the more experienced teachers, they cost more...) <br /><br />In the cases in which SPS does provide SPED services to private school students, SPS should be able to include those students in their numbers or state and federal sped funding. I hope you're not somehow implying that those students/families are somehow to blame for SPS financial woes, and/or that they are taking advantage of the district. Private school families pay their taxes just like everyone else, while using very little in the way of actual public ed services. They are, for the most part, subsidizing public education for the rest of us. <br /><br />SPS needs to just figure out how to serve everyone with decent and appropriate services, and stop everyone from blaming everyone else. <br /><br />serve allAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38580398650274742592019-07-15T09:54:18.463-07:002019-07-15T09:54:18.463-07:00@TA
It's not clear to me what you mean. Wage ...@TA<br /><br />It's not clear to me what you mean. Wage laws are not optional, however when Seattle built the minimum wage laws they created multiple loop holes. Of coarse the Monday club helped with the loop holes.<br /><br />The benefits package stuff is tricky because some people just want to work part-time and these laws will eliminate those opportunities because of cost. Law makers need to rework the law to allow people to choose if they want a straight wage or one with benefits. You also might want to tell your union about your concerns. FYI, I worked at a job for 4 years once with zero wage increase because the other option was no job. It happens when you have performance based compensation which is not limited just to your performance but to the whole company's performance. I was happy just to have a job. No one is owed a job or benefits just for showing up and others should not ruin opportunities for entry level positions or casual labor positions. <br /><br />--FOREAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37217735297833515592019-07-15T08:06:13.936-07:002019-07-15T08:06:13.936-07:00The teacher benefits are the state mandated family...The teacher benefits are the state mandated family leave act. The district didn’t have a choice about doing it. <br />This has made it more difficult to hire part time people because the building has to pay the cost- something like $12,000 a year if it could be filled by one person instead. <br />The other big thing the state is doing, which costs a lot, is changing the healthcare in January. As a teacher, I wasn’t asked about this- I was just told. Alsept Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11535554754700688071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89400057523011344362019-07-15T07:03:57.977-07:002019-07-15T07:03:57.977-07:00@Getting Tired
You read my mind. SPS thinks Levy ...@Getting Tired<br /><br />You read my mind. SPS thinks Levy money is there for the taking. I believe every levy in the past 10 has been victim of siphoning. SPS knows Seattle never votes NO! <br /><br />Maybe we are at the tipping point.<br /><br />Past TiredAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62552028815352276582019-07-14T18:46:23.116-07:002019-07-14T18:46:23.116-07:00
Teacher benefits increased. The levy will cover $...<br />Teacher benefits increased. The levy will cover $60M in state mandated healthcare and leave.<br /><br />https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/voter-guide-what-you-should-know-about-the-seattle-public-schools-levies/<br /><br />State funding is more transparent than levy funding. Teacher benefits, IMO, should come from state dollars- only. There would be a lot more transparency.<br />Getting Tirednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41661170927248885752019-07-14T18:42:19.215-07:002019-07-14T18:42:19.215-07:00Who's defending Geary, but she made it clear t...Who's defending Geary, but she made it clear to me while at NHHS that she was looking for higher ground and that blowing up the board would harm that vertical move.<br /><br />We all know that they only need 4 board members to get along to conduct business as usual. BTW- I'm not going to dig out the comment about 1 million but you did say that. No big deal. <br /><br />I'm sure you know you only need 4 rubber stampers ,that's all the staff needs and the other 3 can be marginalized and mostly ignored. Take the last meeting for example...WOW!<br /><br />The last meeting removed the vale of togetherness don't you think? Special delivery by Ms. Pinkham and Harris.<br /><br />So on we go and soon up will march 5 maybe 6 new souls looking for who knows what, but I hope there is at least one person who will shake things up and call things as they are and back it up with facts and not feelings. Not a socialist please! I prefer a nuts and bolts person.<br /><br />Whoever you are please block out the noise and drink from a straw and not the fire hose because there will be lots of curve balls the folks at JSCEE will be throwing at you.<br /><br />As it's been mentioned, Harris is the 2 term president of the board and allowing that budget out of committee showed poor leadership and judgement. At least that's what I think or they could have all voted NO once they realized the mess. <br /><br />I would have to say unless there was a medical emergency it was inexcusable for Burke to absent, or was he protesting?<br /><br />Harris is the odds on favorite to make it mostly because the others are not really serious contenders, but she should not seek to be the president. I don't know if she could stomach not being the president or how she would react if the new president spoke to her the way she speaks to others. "Don't do that" "don't do that" and the cocky facial smirks and body language are not needed nor are they helpful. <br /><br />This also has been mention before. In 2015 Harris attacked her opponent at every chance because her opponent was a board member of the board that made a prudent financial decision. So don't you think Harris deserves the same treatment? <br /><br />I doubt any of her opponents would do that. I do have to say that we know 2 will move on to Nov and in the General election I don't think the city's voters will be too happy with Harris and they might decide to roll the dice. <br /><br />--FORE<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65359678236312533002019-07-14T17:32:21.236-07:002019-07-14T17:32:21.236-07:00J, I never said SPS was spending $1M on a single s...J, I never said SPS was spending $1M on a single student. They are spending $400,000 on a single student for, I believe, a residential facility out of state. It’s hard to get the district to explain this because of privacy issues but I sure would like the Board to be clear on these students and their needs. <br /><br />LM, I believe the district is responsible for all Sped kids living in the boundaries of the district, no matter where they go to school. My understanding is that those students are eligible for fed/state funds but the district must backfill to provide the complete service.<br /><br />SPED Watcher, what is the evidence for your claims?<br /><br />I’m a little mystified about this blame game on Harris when there are six other people on the Board, one of whom (Geary) ran on her Sped cred.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86812129861131286872019-07-14T17:00:51.676-07:002019-07-14T17:00:51.676-07:00SPED watcher, that is absolutely hilarious in the ...SPED watcher, that is absolutely hilarious in the world of trolling. You get a blue ribbon for the best worst trolling foolishness. Be gone, troll! <br /><br />Parent reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2273325374278801252019-07-14T16:50:14.396-07:002019-07-14T16:50:14.396-07:00LM. The state used to pay for sped students up to...LM. The state used to pay for sped students up to 12.7% of the total, plus all the preschoolers with disabilities. That cap went up to something above 13%. It doesn’t matter how many kids go private, the district gets sped funding for 13+% of the total, plus a significant number of preschoolers who add to the percentage artificially. It behooves ALL districts financially , to identify the maximum number of kids as disabled as possible to collect the maximum state funding. Then, financially speaking, it makes sense to provide minimal services. Eg, collect the most, spend the least. Complaining about the kids is necessary. That way they can justify scrimping on services because those kids are just so”expensive “. Thanks Harris.<br /><br />Blame gameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4841128426753752882019-07-14T15:49:56.722-07:002019-07-14T15:49:56.722-07:00Over the years Seattle Public Schools has been a v...Over the years Seattle Public Schools has been a victim of SPED violation hunters. It's a strategy where a parent searches for a district with $$ and weak SPED services. Once the target is found they move to the district and enroll their child into the worst school for SPED services then sit back and wait for violations. Once they have sufficient evidence they file a lawsuit and are soon off the a resident facility which cost $400,000 plus per year. These type of suits are always settled by SPS.<br /><br />The terms of the settlement agreement are sealed so the media rarely reports the scam if ever. It's a sensitive issue that is best avoided. (so they claim)<br /><br />SPED watcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44880393569579648752019-07-14T15:31:58.855-07:002019-07-14T15:31:58.855-07:00If 30% (or whatever) of Seattle's easiest to e...If 30% (or whatever) of Seattle's easiest to educate students (high enough SES to afford private and appealing enough to the school to make it through the admission process) weren't in private school, the expensive to educate students wouldn't make up such a large percentage of students in SPS. <br /><br />When SPS provides SPED services to private school students, does the money for that come out of the SPS budget? And also for diagnosis? <br /><br />How does Seattle's high rate of private school attendance effect our SPED budget?LMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39200330140840541112019-07-14T14:57:40.317-07:002019-07-14T14:57:40.317-07:00According to Melissa SPS has been spending in a ra...According to Melissa SPS has been spending in a range of $1,000,000 to $450,000 per year for a single student. How is this even possible? <br /><br /><br />JS<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com