Seattle Schools Community Forum

It may appear that way to legislators and their big "whew, we got something done" but until we hear  the Supreme Court's weigh in, the issue is not done. I just spoke to teachers at Roosevelt at the Red for Ed day.  My main message to them and to you is to keep the heat on. Legislators need to hear that YOU are not happy.  They need to feel that pressure. They also need to hear that you VOTE .  There is nothing like a voter to put the fear of God into an elected officials.  Certainly, if you are not their constituent, you might think they can brush it off but the power of saying you vote - out loud - surely gives all of them pause. Here's the link to finding your legislator.   Once you get there, it's a pretty easy process with a fill-in e-mail form that can go to all your reps.

On the Center School incident, one odd thing that I noticed yesterday when I received a press update: the principal has been replaced. 

The Work Sessions scheduled for today now have their agendas available. One is the Risk Management ; Insurance Coverage Review.    On the face of it, this department seems to be doing a good job.  I only say "seems" because insurance is not my area so it's hard to discern any issues.  Two items of note: Page 6 about Liability Coverage Seattle Public Schools’ experience – One claim in excess of $10 million (athletic injury) – One claim in excess of $5 million (sexual abuse) – Excluding the above, annual liability claims paid by WSRMP since 2006 have ranged from $21,431 to $112,358, average $34,280.    Page 11 - Current Property Coverage   • Is it “enough”? – Maximum probable loss • Dunlap + South Shore + South Lake + Rainier Beach (under $200 million replacement cost )    I don't know what this means - I'm assuming it's some kind of example but I'm not sure ...

From Mary Griffin of the Seattle Special Ed PTA:   SHB 2605 is a step backwards in Washington state’s efforts to make our education system more transparent and accessible for parents. That’s because this bill will make it harder, not easier, for parents to know and understand school district policies regarding restraint and isolation of students with disabilities. Right now, for students with IEPs and 504 plans, districts must provide parents with a written copy of their seclusion and restraint guidelines. This is a smart policy because it helps parents understand up front the limited circumstances under which seclusion or restraint may be used with their children. Yet under SHB 2605, school districts would only be required to share that information on their website; if parents wanted a copy or an explanation, they would have to ask for it. Common sense tells us it’s impossible to ask about a policy you don’t know exists, and yet that is precisely what SHB 2605 re...