Seattle Schools Community Forum

Tomorrow, attention will turn to Raj's recommendations for Phase II of closures and consolidations and, likely, co-locations. So tonight seems an appropriate time to focus on the loose ends from the Phase I closure recommendations. From the district web site, we learn that "the following actions have - or will - be taken:" *A transition team has been working to plan for all aspects of transition. The team includes central office and school-based staff. Who is on the transition team? *A full-time "Principal on Special Assignment" will be appointed for the 2006-2007 school year to lead and guide customized transition plans for each impacted school and program. Who is the Principal on Special Assignment? In the spirit of accountability, we should know who those people are so we can contact them to learn about the progress, or lack of progress, in these areas. Other Phase I implementation questions include: - What's happening with the SOCKED lawsuit? Does the j...

John Marshall Alternative School will remain open for the 2007/2008 school year. Last year during the school closure and consolidation process, Carla Santorno promised that a review of programs at John Marshall would be completed no later than December 2006 and that she was hiring a consultant to perform the work. Today's Seattle Times article, Seattle district delays closing alternative school for a year , tells a different story. "The district's chief academic officer, Carla Santorno, said the postponement gives the district time to complete a comprehensive review of programs for students who are at risk of dropping out. John Marshall enrolls about 185 students in grades 6-12." And today's PI article, A year's reprieve for John Marshall Alternative School , adds additional details. "Already, district officials plan to move two programs: The GRAD program for teens who are pregnant or parents will move to South Lake Alternative High School, and the evenin...