Seattle Schools Community Forum

First up, the Board retreat on the 6th.  Apparently, I had been expected because Director Peaslee said something to the effect of, "wait for Melissa" and Director Peters and Michael Tolley (who ostensibly must read the blog and knew I was not coming) said, "She's not coming."  I'm sure there was a sigh of relief that no one from the "angry community " was there. I also learned via public disclosure documents that at least one director feels the need to pass on many of my e-mails to the Board to senior staff .  To note, there are about 13 people who get the e-mails you send via "schoolboard@seattleschools.org."   These include the Board, Legal, the Superintendent, Communications, a couple of cabinet people and a person in the Board office.  So now, if I'm writing to the entire Board, I'll just send it to the main e-mail address because it seems my e-mails get forwarded on anyway.  I don't really like it this way because I...

From SPS Communications about the appointment of Dr. Nyland as permanent superintendent: The Seattle School Board has selected Dr. Larry Nyland as the permanent superintendent for Seattle Public Schools. Nyland has held the interim role since last summer. The 5-2 vote, allows  Board President Sherry Carr to negotiate a new contract with Nyland, which the board will vote  on January 7, 2015 . If approved, Nyland’s contract would be extended through June 17 , and  would switch from interim to permanent at the end of June 2015. “I have chosen to evaluate Dr. Nyland not only on his last 17 weeks in Seattle Public Schools, but his past 40 years in education,” said Sherry Carr, Seattle School Board President applauding his career successes and need for stability in the district. “We have a lot of work to do to support systems, and to better support students, said Interim Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland. “I look forward to working with them. Thank you.” Nyland will hold ...

This morning the Times has an article about Superintendent Nyland.  Here's what I said in the Times' comment section:

Quite a week to come. Monday, Dec. 8th Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting, 4:30-6:30 pm.   Agenda It would appear to be a two-hour meeting but the agenda is quite slim as well as the time allotted for each item. Of interest: an update on Special Ed work and "pre-K work" from Early Education head, Cashel Toner.  Perhaps this is where she will explain how the new preschool classroom room at Bailey Gatzert likely won't be just for BG area students. Tuesday, Dec. 9th Audit & Finance Committee meeting, 4:30-6:30 pm.   Agenda UPDATE :   Agenda now attached.  Looks like several updates including an issue with the SEC, the WSS (with adjusted Guiding Principles which I have some concerns about), MOA with Africatown (NOT attached as usual, still concerns there), Transportation standards for next year and Title IX and grants updates.  Wondering if there will be any mention of the Gates Foundation preschool grant. End of update. Community...

School Board Retreat tomorrow - agenda .  It's open to the public and at the JSCEE from 10 am to 2 pm. What the heck?  How many times will they discuss governance issues and communication issues?  They have been over this territory so many times and yet every retreat agenda, there it is.   And, that part is for two hours. I do note the addition of the issue of communications "how does the Board interact with the media and how is a spokesperson assigned."   It appears there is a policy but they seem to feel the need to discuss it.  Update: Here's the agenda for the Special Board meeting next Wednesday.  As of now, I know of two topics; approval of negotiation of a contract with Dr. Nyland to be permanent superintendent and approval of a contract for new computers.  This process for the purchase of new computers is way behind schedule and there are no vendors or prices yet available. The new computers will cost between $1.2-1.4M but ...

Personalities - I note that Nyland and Blanford were chatting before the meeting.  Nyland said something to Blanford and Blanford nodded and said, " Yes, let's get this nonsense over and get to work."   (No I wasn't eavesdropping; the room was fairly empty and Blanford's voice carried.)  Sorry that Blanford thinks that discussion over the selection of a superintendent is nonsense. Superintendent Comments

New Board officers: President - Sherry Carr VP - Sharon Peaslee Member at large - Marty McLaren All by unanimous vote. Updates : Well, I can only say it's a done deal.  The bombardment of words from Peaslee and McLaren were like them taking turns reading Nyland's resume. Apparently, according to Carr and McLaren, the public, including staff and parents, real have no role in the selection of a superintendent (but do keep those e-mails coming).  Why should you give any input?  They've already said they won't use anything you say in their decision.  (Although the noticeable absence of any SEA Board member tells me that if they have issues, they got addressed.) I will have more in the morning but right now I can tell you that he WILL be voted in as permanent superintendent of SPS by a 5-2 vote next Wednesday. As I say, I don't think anyone should show up for this lazy vote.  I say lazy because sure, "change is hard" and working with the public...