Seattle Schools Community Forum

A media release was sent out today by the district regarding RBHS for school year 2011-2012.  It was a letter to the Rainier Beach High School community from Dr. Enfield. I am aware of concerns about your school, and I want to personally assure you that there are no discussions about closing Rainier Beach High School for the 2011-2012 school year. I apologize for any confusion about this, and reassure you that improving student achievement at Rainier Beach High School continues to be a top priority for Seattle Public Schools. 

Ever since the dismissal of the previous superintendent, the District leadership has spoken repeatedly about five things: Governance, Oversight, Community Engagement, Transparency, and Earning the Public's Trust. But just as three and a half years of constant talk about accountability was used to try to mask the total absence of any actual accountability, this talk is not reflected in any of the District leadership's action either. What is the district leadership's record on these values? The real record is in the meeting minutes. The minutes of recent meetings give clear testament to the leadership's real commitment to these ideals. Governance, at the most fundamental level, is about writing and enforcing policy. But how is it reflected in the minutes? We see new policies that are unenforceable and were written to replace the previous policies that weren't enforced. The new policies on homework and promotion abandon any attempt to actually govern. Instead, they a...

It was confirmed to me that Principal Martin Floe was fired (not RIFed). Some staff were worried this might happen (based on visits by the Ex Director, Bree Dusseault).  Today, the staff passed, unanimously, a resolution of confidence in Martin Floe's leadership. Principal Floe is appealing this decision, declining to resign.  The resolution: Whereas Martin Floe is a highly respected principal who has built Ingraham into a cohesive, caring and academically challenging high school; Whereas he sets clear policy direction for an achievement-oriented school; Whereas he maintains a balanced and holistic vision for the school; Whereas he maintains a safe and secure learning environment in which students and staff can work without distraction; Whereas he maintains an open-door policy for all members of the Ingraham community, including staff, students, alumni, and parents; Whereas he is marked by his excellent listening skills and positive attitude; Whereas he...

I will be better able to flesh this out at the end of the week but I'm hearing some pretty serious rumblings. It appears one high school principal will lose a job (not just RBHS) and may not be placed elsewhere. I believe this may be happening as a signal to other principals to get with the curriculum alignment program or else.  (So far there doesn't appear to be any other reason like a criminal act or fraud.)  Meaning, less flexibility/creativity in how teachers can teach the curriculum and principals will be expected to bear down on teachers who don't follow the direction of the alignment.  It also appears the district is unwilling to state whether or not they are closing RBHS for a year and then reopening it as a "transformation" school.  This would have HUGE repercussions for the entire district as whether or not you think is something that should be done (or should have been done long ago), the question would be - where would those 350 kids go? Gar...

Death Cab for Cutie, a band from Bellingham with national stature, is putting on a surprise show at the Sodo Showbox tomorrow night to support the SPS school lunch program. Here are the details from The Edge radio station. The station had an interview with band members (who didn't ID themselves so I don't know who was speaking) but they stated that because of budget cuts to education they wanted to help.  They said they believe that providing meals is a " foundational " part of public education.  They are not making any political statement but their goal is to get kids fed. Thank you, Death Cab for Cutie!

Did you know that the State of Washington will guarantee tuition to a Washington public college or university to any student on the federal free and reduced lunch program — if that student maintains a 2.0 grade point average and does not commit a felony during their entire high school career? It's true. But the student has to enroll in the scholarship program by the 8th grade. And the deadline is almost here. 100 percent of eligible 8th graders in Seattle should be enrolled in the College Bound Scholarship program by the June 30, 2011 deadline. We need to step up and take responsibility as a city to help our children, especially when many families cannot afford to send their kids to college. Even if you don't have a child who qualifies, you probably know someone who does. Please share the above information and the following link as widely as possible. Students may apply for the College Bound Scholarship online at: http://hecb.wa.gov/collegebound EVERY SEVENTH AND EIGHTH...

Tuesday Audit&Finance Committee Meeting (Audit) from 4-6 p.m. in the Board conference room.  Agenda School Family Partnerships Advisory Committee from 6-8 p.m. in the headquarters auditorium. Wednesday Executive Committee meeting from 8-10 a.m. in the Board conference room.   Agenda Steve Sundquist's Community Meeting from 11 am to 12:30 p.m. at Delridge Library. Work Session on Capital Program Review from 4-5:30 p.m. (This would be one I would normally attend but can't so I hope someone else can go. It is likely they might discuss BEX IV.) Thursday Audit& Finance Committee meeting (Finance) from 4-6 p.m. in the Board conference room. There are no agendas yet posted for these meetings but I will try to get them up as soon as they are available.