Seattle Schools Community Forum

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...

Directors Peters and Patu have offered a new compromise amendment to the current item that offers   the job of permanent superintendent to current interim, Larry Nyland. Amendment 1 to motion to select a permanent superintendent, to instead authorize a one year extension. I move that the School Board amend the Motion to offer Dr. Larry Nyland the position of permanent Superintendent, and replace it with the following motion to authorize the Board President:

KING 5 report from last night.  Note Director McLaren's tone - I'm baffled why she's this agitated.  She says something like "how can we let this man go?"  All I can say is that he's retired so where is he going anyway? I am on the Speaker List for tomorrow night (there looks to be about 15 people on the waitlist which surprises me as I thought it would be longer).  I note this message - fairly unusual as the Board office rarely contacts speakers - Thank you for your interest in speaking before the School Board at the  December 3rd  Board meeting.   According to Board Procedure  1430BP , the order of those giving public testimony was determined as follows: those speaking to agenda action items, those speaking to agenda introduction items, and then those speaking to items of general interest. Please note that the “ Action to Select a Permanent Superintendent ” item will be introduced at this meeting and action will be taken at a Specia...

The Times had a brief article last night when the news broke about the one-week extension for public input on the appointment of Superintendent Nyland to be the permanent superintendent which has now expanded and there are some very interesting quotes. The action slated for a special meeting of the board on December 10 at 4:30 p.m.  The Times says the Board hasn't decided if they will allow comments. - apparently there will be discussion at the Board meeting Wenesday when this is introduced.  (Normally, the discussion at Intro is limited so we'll have to see.) - The district has this e-mail for "interested parties" to weigh in - SchoolBoard@seattleschools.org . - The Times notes that Nyland came from Marysville, serving nine years there.  I'm finding some very telling stories out of Marysville that may be clues to the kind of superintendent he may be. - Peaslee said the board usually introduces and votes on superintendent job offers in the same meeting...

Bravo.  From the Seattle Council PTSA Board, who once again, are clear and concise in their concerns which I consider valid (bold mine):

It is becoming increasingly clear that the vote on whether to offer the job of permanent superintendent to Larry Nyland at Wednesday night's School Board meeting will not be unanimous. In fact, appealing to directors who have not made any statements on this issue might be a good idea.  I think the issue of NOT telling the public that a shift in attitude had occurred over a search is a major issue for a couple of directors.   I think there is discomfort out there over voting yes because of promises made and now a change with no real explanation.   Again, I suggest writing to Director Martin-Morris and Director Carr who may well believe Nyland is a good superintendent but also have a good sense of fairness.   And what of a split vote of 5-2 or perhaps 4-3?  That is no way for a permanent superintendent to start his/her tenure. Now, of course, perhaps there are people trying to manipulate the situation.  What if this were done as a ruse so that eithe...

To have a split vote would look terrible (no matter how large or small).  For the purposes of whoever is driving this process, the Board should be united on who they pick; otherwise, it signals no faith in the choice and/or the process.   It would also serve to isolate whoever votes no.  In essence, they may become a present-day Mary Bass (the former director who frequently was the lone vote against many issues.  She ended up being the canary in the coal mine for former Superintendent Olchefske's $30M+ unraveling.) However, the courage to say NO is more valuable to them than any good will.  It means they stand with the parents and community who knew that the search process had begun and expected them to finish it in good faith.  Or, AT LEAST have the grace to tell people in a timely, rational fashion what they were going to do.  Here's how I see the vote.

Update : from Director McLaren's blog under Priorities (when she ran for office) bold hers: Seattle central administration has turned a blind eye towards the communities which fund its existence and the families it should be serving.  Community engagement should be the foundation of district decision-making, not an afterthought.  I invite members of the community to brainstorm with me and form a constructive venue for two-way  dialogue. Help me reshape the district! Together, we can bring the wisdom and guidance of the community back into the Seattle Public Schools. Guess she forgot about this goal.   You might keep this in mind should McLaren run again because it is quite confusing when candidates say one thing to get elected and another when in office. End of update  She  makes the mistake of believing it's all about the Superintendent when it's all about the dysfunction at the district.  She also completely ignores the student data breach...

The Times this morning has their own, rather subdued, story on the attempt by President Peaslee to install Superintendent Nyland permanently.

This is a turning point before us.  We either fight back and let the Board know, in huge numbers, that this is terrible mistake to just appoint Dr. Larry Nyland the permanent superintendent of Seattle Schools or the district will take the most major turn we have ever witnessed. Here's the KIRO-tv news story from Thanksgiving Day. If you watch the story, you will see me being more than fair.  Frankly, that was a mistake on my part.  I am vehemently against this action, no matter Nyland's qualifications.  His experience and qualifications are NOT the only considerations for a superintendent for this district. This is wrong for so many reasons.  Read the agenda item (and note who sponsored it).

Talk about on the downlow.  Talk about shady. Embedded in the School Board agenda for next Wednesday, Dec.3 - for Intro and Action via Sharon Peaslee and Ron English - is this: This action will authorize the Board President to negotiate a contract with Dr. Larry Nyland for the office of Superintendent. Selection of the chief executive officer of the District is a policy decision by the School Board. Per RCW 28A.330.100, the Board shall have the power to employ a superintendent of schools of the district.