tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8261873561579898594..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Board Retreat ReviewMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17680756953934492242011-03-17T11:11:30.526-07:002011-03-17T11:11:30.526-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20326176915241125712011-03-17T11:10:09.087-07:002011-03-17T11:10:09.087-07:00Sorry folks, but I need to do a better job of proo...Sorry folks, but I need to do a better job of proofing, what I meant to say is:<br /><br />"Where is the Board's duty to serve as the elected representatives of the public and to advocate for the public's perspective within Seattle Public Schools?"<br /><br />B50.00 speaks to this and will not change will it? It's B60.00 and 60.01 that really need to be altered. I read the proposed changes and came away wondering why the heck it required 21 pages to address governance?another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39634506372559318352011-03-17T11:07:43.022-07:002011-03-17T11:07:43.022-07:00"Where is the Board's duty to serve as th..."Where is the Board's duty to serve as the elected representatives of the public and to advocate for the public's perspective within Seattle Public Schools?"<br /><br />B50.00 speaks to this and will not change will it? It's B60.00 and 60.01 is that really need to be altered. I read the 21 pages of proposed changes and came away wondering why the heck it required 21 pages to address governance?arth is it so long?another momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303476240929715442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20231602987832213602011-03-16T23:10:20.104-07:002011-03-16T23:10:20.104-07:00Charlie, whadya expect from Holly Ferguson?
grump...Charlie, whadya expect from Holly Ferguson?<br /><br />grumpyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42045347458845052442011-03-16T21:43:41.184-07:002011-03-16T21:43:41.184-07:00From the Board Retreat documents, I would like to ...From the Board Retreat documents, I would like to call everyone's attention to the Governance Oversight Policy document. This is a draft version of what will become our District Policy. This is important.<br /><br />On page 11 of this 21 page document it describes the duties of the Board.<br /><br />"<i>It is the duty and responsibility of the Board to set policy for, and provide governance and oversight of, the Seattle School District. Acting on behalf of the people of Seattle, the Board will fulfill the following functions:</i>"<br /><br />Note that in this section, the Board acts on behalf of the people of Seattle.<br /><br />Further down it says:<br /><br />"<i>The Board shall serve as an advocate on behalf of the District, its students and schools</i>"<br /><br />Where is the Board's duty to serve as the elected representatives of the public and to advocate for the public's perspective within Seattle Public Schools? I'm not seeing it.<br /><br />This is followed by a page of Roles and Powers of the Board. This whole page is unnecessary. It should just say that the Board is entirely responsible for everything in the District and that the Board has all of the authority except those which they have specifically delegated to the superintendent. It should also say that the Board retains the right to reclaim any powers they delegate to the superintendent. It should say this because this is the truth.<br /><br />There is a BIG problem in that this policy delegates the duty to enforce policy to the superintendent. The Board needs to retain the responsibility of enforcing policy. That is a governance role.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39346774568170303792011-03-16T17:26:11.668-07:002011-03-16T17:26:11.668-07:00"The Alliance...claims to have provided about..."The Alliance...claims to have provided about $115 Million to the district. This averages out to $7.7 Million per year. This is just a small fraction of the overall SPS budget. Yet they feel justified to influence policy."<br /><br />Much of that money, recently, has been Broad/Gates foundation money. They must feel they are justified in allowing the Alliance to hire Ms. Morris. Just as Broad/Gates feels justified in convincing the (last) superintendent to give the Urban League $80,000. Just as Broad/Gates feel justified in convincing the (last) CAO (current superintendent) to pay the Center for Education Leadership (CEL) $75,000. Just as Broad/Gates feels justified in convincing the district School Improvement/Title one section to give Melissa Heaton (ex-Partnership for Learning, along with the Gates Foundation's Anne Luce) $15,000.<br /><br />My question: Lots and lots of money flowing to district from Broad/Gates "coalitions," lots of taxpayer money flowing to these "coalitions" and "leagues," lots of influence on policy and spending...What is behind it all? There must be some organizing principal or people that can wield the power to make the district allow such blatant manipulation of policy by Gates/Broad.<br /><br />Who is the wizard behind the curtain? Who are the politicos who are organizing such influence? Or is it just that the ex-Superintendent was a Broadie, and procured the funneling of funds for these "reforms"?<br /><br />Why, someone might ask tonight, is the District contracting with these organizations? Why are they contracting with Strategies 360, a Gates shill?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71062081485032017232011-03-16T15:46:12.320-07:002011-03-16T15:46:12.320-07:00According to the Alliance's blog announcing Ms...According to the Alliance's blog announcing Ms. Morris's appt as their CEO in March of 2010:<br /><i>"In her previous work at Seattle Public Schools, Sara served as a strategic advisor to then Superintendant Raj Manhas, and Staff Director to a 14-member commission. Her work led to sweeping reform recommendations aimed at improving academic achievement and reaching fiscal sustainability throughout the system."</i><br />hmmmm.....guess that "fiscal sustainability" part has worked out for the Alliance...someonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75324951743181287122011-03-16T13:45:27.749-07:002011-03-16T13:45:27.749-07:00This is the same Sara Morris who started an online...This is the same Sara Morris who started an online petition to protest the later elementary school start times in 2009. She got her petition presented and addressed by MGJ at the Seattle PTSA meeting. She then had a private meeting with MGJ about the issue. That's pretty amazing engagement if you can get it.<br /><br />ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87722444121152081772011-03-16T10:32:36.421-07:002011-03-16T10:32:36.421-07:00See the Alliance Fast Facts I linked to above. See...See the Alliance Fast Facts I linked to above. See the revenue and expense charts. Annual Revenue was about 9 million dollars, expenses for management and fundraising were about a million dollars. And as we see from the contracts, money flows from the district back to the Alliance for their community engagement work. <br /><br />The Alliance has been around about 15 years and claims to have provided about $115 Million to the district. This averages out to $7.7 Million per year. This is just a small fraction of the overall SPS budget. Yet they feel justified to influence policy.Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79771579655391580662011-03-16T09:57:13.877-07:002011-03-16T09:57:13.877-07:00Seattle Citizen and Maureen,
During FY 2010, the ...Seattle Citizen and Maureen,<br /><br />During FY 2010, the district paid the Alliance $130K. So, in 14 months, the district paid the Alliance over $200K.<br /><br />I want to see an auditor's report on this.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70319369533141699342011-03-16T09:06:39.234-07:002011-03-16T09:06:39.234-07:00Sara Morris is a former Marketing Executive. Her ...Sara Morris is a former Marketing Executive. Her education experience seems limited to having kids at West Woodland. This is who the Times chooses to interview for education pieces.Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54463059624829525352011-03-16T07:09:59.867-07:002011-03-16T07:09:59.867-07:00Of course Sara doesn't want the board to read ...Of course Sara doesn't want the board to read our blogs!<br /><br />We continually bust the Alliance and their backers on what they're doing.<br /><br />Corporate reform is about not having a democratic process. That is what Sara and her cohorts are preaching. Control by a few.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86690431560897406942011-03-15T21:46:58.335-07:002011-03-15T21:46:58.335-07:00Steve acknowledged that during the investigation, ...<i>Steve acknowledged that during the investigation, they had to be very careful what they said around Erinn since she reported to staff.</i><br /><br />So what is the point of having her at all? <br /><br />Who did the internal auditor report to?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11599361084281055192011-03-15T19:21:48.545-07:002011-03-15T19:21:48.545-07:00"Holly countered with, well testimony is free..."Holly countered with, well testimony is free-form, amorphous so there's no mechanism for follow-up. Asked how you answer someone who is simply angry?"<br /><br />Okay, yeah NOW I'm angry. Holly F. was marginally effective in the "before" time. She's totally superfluous now. I say bah bye!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4555480577251280882011-03-15T19:09:04.172-07:002011-03-15T19:09:04.172-07:00Quote from Sara Morris: Re-concept public testimon...Quote from Sara Morris: <i>Re-concept public testimony. It lasts too long and the lack of interaction between Board and speakers and harsh tone of the testimony is destructive on all sides. Surely there are ways to invite more authentic and productive interactions with community members. </i><br /><br />If this had just read: <br /><br />Re-concept public testimony. The lack of interaction between Board and speakers is (counterproductive). Surely there are ways to invite more authentic and productive interactions with community members. <br /><br />I might have agreed. <br /><br />Public testimony is necessary if only because that is the only public record of the public's opinion of District activities (think of Mel testifying about the small business program, or Dorothy or Meg on budget topics, or Dan on Math, or Chris Jackins on tons of stuff.....)<br /><br />It should be 'reconcepted' (is that a word now?), just not the way Sara Morris envisions.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79802714204814268652011-03-15T18:29:24.059-07:002011-03-15T18:29:24.059-07:00Maureen's link:CURRENT YEAR GENERAL FUND, NON-...Maureen's link:<a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/020911agenda/personalservicescontracts.pdf" rel="nofollow">CURRENT YEAR GENERAL FUND, NON-GRANT PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS<br />(Data as of 2-4-11)</a><br /><br />I'd seen this before. Why did the superintendent pay the Alliance 86K? Why did the CAO pay CEL 75K? Why did the Ed Directors pay the Urban League 80K and Melissa Heaton, of Partnership for Learning (with Anne Luce of Gates fame) 15K?<br /><br />Here's some of the contracts, non-grant.<br /><br />School Board contracts:<br />MARJORIE SKOTHEIM 15,300.00<br />KAREN REED CONSULTING 45,000.00<br />Superintendent contracts:<br />ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION 86,000.00<br />COO contracts:<br />FOUR, at 102,520.00<br />General Counsel contracts:<br />TWENTY-SEVEN, at 1,369,308.36<br />CAO contracts: <br />CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP 74,592.00<br />LORI LYNASS Ed.D 10,000.00<br />SEATTLE UNIVERSITY 18,040.00<br />SOPRIS WEST EDUCATIONAL SVCS, INC 32,000.00<br />Education Directors contracts:<br />URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE 80,000.00<br />School Improvement Title One contracts:<br />UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 50,000.00<br />READING & WRITING PROJECT NETWORK 14,100.00<br />MELISSA HEATON 13,200.00 (Partnership for Learning Exec Director, working with Anne Luce, who spent four years at Gates Foundation Ed division)seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19437415140106519022011-03-15T18:24:58.213-07:002011-03-15T18:24:58.213-07:00So the Alliance was paid 80K by the district. The ...So the Alliance was paid 80K by the district. The Alliance's Ms Morris was "interviewed" as a stakeholder and said bloggers should be ignored? How special. Nice work if you can get it.<br /><br />That's not counting the money the Alliance gets for "managing" the Gates/Broad grant to the district.<br /><br />What a scam this all is. Meanwhile, schools make more cuts.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50689659650324434982011-03-15T18:20:46.391-07:002011-03-15T18:20:46.391-07:00Maureen posted a link to the CURRENT YEAR GENERAL ...Maureen posted a link to the <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/020911agenda/personalservicescontracts.pdf" rel="nofollow">CURRENT YEAR GENERAL FUND, NON-GRANT PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS<br />(Data as of 2-4-11)</a><br />I'd been to this before, and was interested to see some of the contracts...why are we giving these people all this money? Why is the Superintendent giving the Alliance 86k? Why was the CAO giving CEL 75K? Why are the Ed Directors giving the Urban League 80k and Melissa Heaton, of the Partnership for Learning nee Gates "coalition", 13K?<br />From the doc, below, there's more if you link to it:<br />School Board contracts:<br />MARJORIE SKOTHEIM 15,300.00<br />KAREN REED CONSULTING 45,000.00<br />Superintendent [MGJ] contracts:<br />ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION 86,000.00<br />COO contracts:<br />FOUR, at 102,520.00<br />General Counsel contracts:<br />TWENTY-SEVEN, at 1,369,308.36<br />CAO [Enfield]contracts: <br />CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP 74,592.00<br />LORI LYNASS Ed.D 10,000.00<br />SEATTLE UNIVERSITY 18,040.00<br />SOPRIS WEST EDUCATIONAL SVCS, INC 32,000.00<br />Education Directors contracts:<br />URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE 80,000.00<br />School Improvement Title One contracts:<br />UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 50,000.00<br />READING & WRITING PROJECT NETWORK 14,100.00<br />MELISSA HEATON 13,200.00 (Partnership for Learning Exec Director? I did some research, and Ms Heaton worked with P4L with Anne Luce, who spent four years working for Gates Foundation ed division. Check out P4L - It's more of the same "coalition" crap)seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41380126708249268392011-03-15T17:43:37.683-07:002011-03-15T17:43:37.683-07:00Back to the retreat, here are some of my notes: (m...Back to the retreat, here are some of my notes: (my paraphrasing unless in quotes)<br /><br />Sherry: when we looked around for other Washington districts with good governance, what we found was that no one seemed stellar in governance -- the lauded districts all had <b>strong financial controls.</b> She said that other WA school districts didn't really understand our issues, but the Port does. They've BTDT and sympathize and have offered good advice. Michael made a point of adding well regarded districts have not just good financial controls but a strong CFO who communicates well with the board. <br /><br />Michael: This is the third board he has be part of. In the past, there has been too little oversight and too much micromanagement. Shift has been away from micromanagement, but that's been superseded by too much interest in initiatives. We still need oversight of core district function. This is the most balanced board of the three. <br /><br />Susan: big fan of policy governance. Said biggest issue is breakdown of communication. How can board govern without information? This has been the biggest district failing of late. <br /><br />Michael: Poor board briefing lines up with community concerns. If board had higher quality communication from staff would automatically lead to more public confidence. <br /><br />On Alliance's whinging about public testimony. Someone suggested a staff person tasked to follow up with public who spoke. Michael pointed out that this was one of Maria's early and very public promises -- to follow up with public testimony. However it didn't happen. Holly countered with, well testimony is free-form, amorphous so there's no mechanism for follow-up. Asked how you answer someone who is simply angry? <i>(um, this was one of my speechless moments. I have never heard someone simply angry. Everyone is angry about something. Address the something. Some people need help, some need clarification, some have valuable information, some just need to be acknowledged.) </i><br /><br />On staff reporting directly to board or all reports through channels leading to the superintendent. Steve pointed out that there are pitfalls either way. It's not just that the board doesn't have the time or resources. It is helpful for the board staff to be integrated with the rest of the staff. If the board staff is too isolated that doesn't help the board. However, Steve acknowledged that during the investigation, they had to be very careful what they said around Erinn since she reported to staff. They decided to keep things they way they are for now and revisit in 6 months. <br /><br />More later.Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86940688986845539532011-03-15T16:01:03.099-07:002011-03-15T16:01:03.099-07:00re: Dorothy. I just read that handout. And I visit...re: Dorothy. I just read that handout. And I visited their site.<br /><br />One of their 3 core missions is "Community Engagement: We facilitate community conversations to seek common ground on challenging education issues." <br /><br />I call *(@&# on that mission, given Sara's comments to the board as referenced in Melissa's thread.<br /><br />I also am struck by how many staff they are showing at their website. Anyone know the total of people or of overhead? Looks at first glance like a bevvy of salaries on the Foundation Gravy Train.<br /><br />I am unimpressed by this organization. I remember when it was a collaborative fundraiser. Now it just seems to be a big smokescreen for Big Ed Reform. I would love for someone to counter my perception, because it would be better for the city if my perception is not correct.cascadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07790011815664752047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10678116757956697272011-03-15T15:32:06.318-07:002011-03-15T15:32:06.318-07:00Please remember that the Alliance is explicit in i...Please remember that the Alliance is explicit in its mission to influence policy of the district. They are upfront about that and are proud of it.<br /><br />From their <a href="http://www.alliance4ed.org/A4EFASTFACTS2010.pdf" rel="nofollow">Fast Facts Information Sheet</a> they are an "external catalyst for change" and unlike other organizations that raise local education dollars, they also bring a "point of view."Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1198003471462962322011-03-15T15:16:25.390-07:002011-03-15T15:16:25.390-07:00And if anyone out there knows an Alliance member, ...And if anyone out there knows an Alliance member, think about forwarding Sara's recommendations and my, and other public, critiques to them. So that they can understand what has become of their organization.cascadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07790011815664752047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7008696750873143922011-03-15T15:13:07.623-07:002011-03-15T15:13:07.623-07:00re: Sara Morris and The Alliance
To suggest that ...re: Sara Morris and The Alliance<br /><br />To suggest that board members not answer constituent email is frightening in its anti-democratic implication.<br /><br />To suggest limiting public testimony, the only chance many people have of interacting with the board, is anti-democratic.<br /><br />To suggest that board members not pay attention to public sentiment via this blog, the single best source of public dialogue about SPS is also antidemocratic. And stupid.<br /> <br />To suggest that the board's job is not to inspect Central Administration to be sure their governance wishes are being carried out and are effective is stupid.<br /><br />To sidestep the fact that the Alliance and Sara Morris in specific were HUGE backers of Maria Goodloe-Johnson is of no use. Anyone smart watching the district knows it and will remember it.<br /><br />To summarize, the credibility of the Alliance and the qualifications of Sara Morris as its executive director are what appears to be at stake here - not the question of how the board could do a better job.cascadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07790011815664752047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39711918255333609732011-03-15T14:20:34.792-07:002011-03-15T14:20:34.792-07:00Sara Morris, as I stated, is the head of the Allia...Sara Morris, as I stated, is the head of the Alliance for education and her remarks, along with the others are part of the Stakeholder Interview Document. I'll go back and make that clearer.<br /><br />Karen Reed is a consultant hired to help with this work. She has done the interviews, written up the Board's suggestions for the Governance and Policy document (along with new items) and was the facilitator for the meeting. I have found her a refreshing difference from the usual people who facilitate.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69266075877621576252011-03-15T13:58:40.907-07:002011-03-15T13:58:40.907-07:00Jan, click on "read more" at the bottom ...<b>Jan,</b> click on "read more" at the bottom of Mel's post--it goes on quite a bit farther -- I missed that the first time too even though I think she was following my suggestion in adding that feature! <br /><br />I wonder if Sara Morris includes all of us in the term 'blogger' or just Mel and Charlie?<br /><br />Is Karen Reed a facilitator? Google doesn't say much of anything about her, but I see the <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/020911agenda/personalservicescontracts.pdf" rel="nofollow">Board has her budgeted</a> at $45,000.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.com