Seattle Schools Community Forum

The district has updated its website with a new feature for every department.  It's called the " How Do I...?" for parents/community.  I cannot supply you with a specific link to this story because there is none available.  From the announcement: We want to help! As part of Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland’s 100-Day Plan for Customer Service, we’ve created a quick and easy list of the most Frequently Asked Questions. Each department across Seattle Public Schools has identified and provided the answers to your most pressing questions. Some of the most Frequently Asked Questions include: I’ve just moved into the Seattle School District. How do I sign up my child for school? How do I find out if my child qualifies for gifted education? And, our favorite: What is the process for getting started as a volunteer in Seattle Public Schools? To view the Most Frequently Asked Questions and learn more about our departments, please visit the new “How Do I… ?” tab at the...

Some of you SPS parents may not be aware but there is a procedure to follow if you have aschool-level concern and if you don't follow it, you may be spinning in circles (without knowing why). Here's a link to our SPS Ombudsman page that gives many helpful details.  I put this forth because a parent from one school got up at the most recent Board meeting and said that 22 parents had phoned Superintendent Banda with a concern and he hadn't answered one call.  As it turns out, he couldn't.  There is a clause in the principals' contract that says a chain of command has to be followed and district staff have to first allow principals the opportunity to solve their own problems. Meaning, if you have a teacher problem, go to the teacher first. If you have a principal problem, go to the principal first.  THEN, you can get district staff involved.  You can, of course, always write to the the principal and also cc staff and/or the Board (and I recommend tha...

I had a chance to sit down with the district's new Ombudsman, Ron McGlone and talk with him about his new job.  (And a shout-out to Noel Treat for suggesting the district try out this idea again.) The district news release set out the long history that Mr. McGlone has with our district.  He has been in SPS since 1990.  He has worked as a non-teacher substitute (and even knew the last previous ombudsman), a family support worker and also worked in Customer Service and Enrollment.  He also served in the U.S. Army (which explains his great posture and firm handshake). 

Thanks to Mirmac 1 for this info. The District Ombudsman serves as an independent, confidential resource to assist SPS parents and community members in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts, and other school-related issues when normal procedures have failed. What will the District Ombudsman do? Assist in solving problems. Serve as a resource to complainants by providing an alternative to the formal complaint process. Assist complainants in clarifying their issues and generating options for resolution. Serve as a resource to school and Central administrators by providing the tools for effective problem resolution. Make recommendations to Superintendent. Hear anonymous requests for information and provide referrals. Conduct informal interventions and mediations. What will the district Ombudsman NOT do? Address employee grievances Participate in litigation. Make, set or change policy. Compel any decision  or the implementation of recommendations made ...