Seattle Schools Community Forum

The Times has a somewhat curious article on the Superintendent. For one thing, they make it sound like he's been here just a year but, at the end of August, 2016,  he will have been in SPS for two years.  (They say it's the end of his first full school year which is true but most people will not read that distinction.)

The Times is reporting that new (but long-time with UW) president, Ana Mari Cauce , will be paid $910K per year and has said she will donate $100,000 back to the university for "student programs and scholarships."  She will do this over the life of her five-year contract which means half-a million dollars back to UW. Oh wait, I guess the two gestures on the part of President Cauce and Superintendent Nyland aren't really all that similar.

I haven't raised this idea but others have. My analysis of the situation is below but here's what made me a "vote of no-confidence" believer; it's a quote from a story that KIRO radio did about the State of the District speech. He also defended his salary.  "My raise is not going to solve anywhere near any of the issues that we have on the table," he said. "I have done better than anybody else. I'm gonna take the smallest raise in the district, as far as I know. " 

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:

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

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.

Further Update:  I asked about Seattle School District's request for a district waiver for NCLB.   (Banda did this back in early July.)  I hadn't heard anything and Communications says time is running out for waivers so an answer will likely come in the next week or so.  I doubt if the district will get it but if they did, that would be good news.) Update: - also Dr Nyland is working this week.  It is unclear to me whether there is any contract in place (despite me asking the question.) - info on the Source from the district: SOURCE is normally down during the summer, this is not unique to this year.  SOURCE is taken down because schools are not in session, and work is going on behinds the scenes to 1) complete end of year processing, 2) implement and update student/academic schedules (which change right up until the final day) for FY15, and 3) complete software upgrades to PowerSchool and related applications.  As a result, we take SOURCE...

I was just browsing the web, looking up Larry Nyland's background.  His LinkedIn page has a very long list of accomplishments and awards.  Impressive. At the state level I have had the opportunity to serve as: - Superintendent representative on the Washington State Educational Coordinating Council. - Representative on the State Board of Education Math Panel. - Past-president of WASA (Washington Association of School Administrators). - Past-president of WABS (Washington Alliance of Better Schools). - Past-president of WCEAP (Washington Coalition of Educational Administration Programs). - Developer of the Seattle Pacific University superintendent preparation program. - Participant in the development of the Washington State Leadership Academy. - Contributor to the development and evaluation of Success at the Core. - Interim director for the Washington Commission on Student Learning. - Key participant in legislation regarding: school reform, ELL, math PD, ...

The Board seems in agreement of the appointment of Dr. Larry Nyland, former superintendent in Marysville (and a former Superintendent of the Year) to be the interim superintendent. More to come.  Board seems enthused. Updates: - Carr and Martin-Morris were out-of-town but were on speaker phone.  All the Board spoke highly of Dr. Nyland.  The vote was 7-0. - Nyland's motto - "Listen, learn and lead." He wants to learn more and touch base with all groups/district leadership and set priorities.