Seattle Schools Community Forum

The Executive Committee of the Whole will meet tomorrow.  The agenda includes this: Plaintiff is a former student at Nathan Hale High School who alleges that on February 11, 2010, he was weightlifting at school and sustained a significant back injury. He claims that the District failed to properly supervise this activity. This case is currently scheduled for trial in King County Superior Court in late June. The instructor and principal are also current defendants in the lawsuit. Based on all the relevant facts, it is the recommendation of the Acting General Counsel and the outside counsel defending the District that this lawsuit should be settled at this time for $325,000, rath er than allowing this case to proceed to trial. If the Superintendent is authorized to settle this case, a Settlement and Release will be drafted and Plaintiff will release all claims and dismiss the lawsuit against all defendants in exchange for the $325,000 payment.  - also, the Resolution...

Update:  I viewed the footage this morning.  Beyond fascinating. Here's what I take away from what was said: - For whatever reason, there were only two Board members who even seemed concerned around the central issue for the district to consider (at this point, I'll let Charlie take over): The District wasn't sued for a rape, but for the utter failure of the chaperones, the utter failure of the field trip approval, and the utter failure of the District's response to the report. That's all the Board should have been considering and that's all that would have been in the court case.  The girl's lawyers might gone to court contending there was an assault but it would have been predicated on the belief that it would not have happened (or been far, far less likely to have happened) if the district had done its job. Sherry Carr came the closest when she said they should not ever be talking about whether two students had or didn't have consensual...

Monday, May 13th Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting, 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14th Special Education Advocacy & Advisory Meeting from 6:30-9:30 p.m at JSCEE, Room 2700 Wednesday, May 15th Rally to save the Indian Heritage program (from press release): SPS is eliminating an entire program which has served as an anchor and support for Native learners and community. The district needs to reverse this decision and engage Native community. We have solutions and recommendations which will revitalize our Native focused programs and strengthen services, district seems intent on eliminating services and support programs which will serve to widen the acheivment gap and further marginalize our Native learners. Please plan to come out to the SPS Board meeting and support our community rally to SAVE INDIAN HERITAGE on May 15th starting at 3:30-5:00pm and public testimony 5pm . Call in for testimony is Monday 8am,  252-0040. Also bring your signs, drums, and please ...