Seattle Schools Community Forum

I attended and spoke at the Public Hearing for the SAP Boundaries last night. All the Board were in attendance as well as the Superintendent. The newly-elected Board members were not there and I saw no press that I recognized. The testimony was audio-taped. I would say there were roughly 50-60 people in attendance (not a big crowd at all). I won't go thru every single person's speech (there were 40 including me). Here are some highlights: number one with a bullet (again); grandfathering of siblings . Parents just have such uncertainty about what to do and how they could handle two little children (or more) at two schools. I spoke to this issue in my remarks saying, on the subject of reopening Sand Point, Old Hay and McDonald that all should open as K-5s in order to give those parents the option to have their children in one school. The issue is quite pressing in the NE as many parents may not be able to move Child 1 from an out-of-attendance area school to their new...

I called this morning to get on the Speakers List for the Public Hearing on the BTA III levy for Thursday. I also asked about the list for tonight's hearing for the SAP Boundaries. There is room on the BTA III one and there may still be a few spots for tonight's. Call 252-0042 to get on the list (it's an automated call). I am quite surprised that the Public Hearing for tonight wasn't full as of Friday afternoon. People had seemed so unhappy with the format for the Boundaries meetings that I thought some would take the opportunity to address the Board for 3 full minutes. Also, you can write to hearing@seattleschools.org Your comments will be part of the official record of the public hearing you are addressing. These are hearings that the district is legally obligated to have and ANY input - via phone, e-mail, in person or snail mail - has to be put into the legal record (as opposed to any comments made at the feedback/informational meetings). In fact, this business...

UPDATE: For the Public Hearing on the Boundaries, each speaker will have 3 minutes so there will be only 40 speakers. The new boundary maps will be released today. Here is the exact wording from the School Board meeting agenda: "Map will be attached to this report, Tuesday afternoon, November 3rd " Not sure if that means at noon, 1 p.m. or right before the Work Session starts at 4. I'll keep checking and update this thread if something comes up before the Work Session. Also, to keep in mind for next week's Public Hearing on the SAP Boundaries : At the public hearing scheduled for Monday, November 9, 6:00-8:00pm , you may sign up to testify at the public hearing starting Thursday, November 5, 8:00am , by e-mailing hearing@seattleschools.org or by calling (206) 252-0042. In my experience, the Public Hearing has about 5 minutes of introductions. They are legally obligated to read an official statement and state which Board members are present.

There are all kinds of imprudent instructions available online. How to hack, how to phreak, how to build a pipe, how to disappear and assume a new identity, etc. So it is in that tradition that I offer this sketch of instruction on how to sue the School District to stop the closures. It may be irresponsible of me to provide this information. It may also be pointless to offer the instruction because the chances for success are so poor. So there is no need to write a comment to advise me of either of these two points. I am already well aware of them, thank you. I'm providing the information so that people will have the facts while a tornado of misinformation swirls around them. Information wants to be free. Knowledge is power and this blog is about empowering people with knowledge. So spare me, please, the rants about how I am either irresponsible or foolish. The best chance to blocking the closures will only delay them, not really stop them. And the only ones that I think can be del...

An interesting slog. It was a packed house with many Cooper and Summit parents, a smattering of TT Minor and AAA (although vocal) and APP parents (Lowell and Washington). Director Martin-Morris was not there and there was no reason given for him not being (although I know that every director did not attend every public hearing so he probably had a conflict in schedule). This meeting, combined with listening to the KUOW interview with Dick Lily, Michael De Bell and Mary Bass yesterday, has really turned some of my thinking. I do believe that I agree with Dick Lily; the district needs to table this for at least a year . It has gotten so convoluted. Phase II did not go through so this could happen but I believe it would damage the relationship between the Board and Dr. Goodloe-Johnson so they will continue on. However, after listening to the KUOW interview, I think there will be some changes to the final list (although no new schools added). Highlights from the interview Michael De ...