Seattle Schools Community Forum

There are no real or urgent capacity issues in the southeast part of the city. Consequently, a lot of the people there are puzzled by the changes proposed for that part of town and Director Patu is reported to be preparing an amendment to the Growth Boundary plan that will call for the deletion of any changes for the Southeast. What is going on in the Southeast - and, more to the point, why?

From SPS Communications and Superintendent Banda: I’m very pleased to announce that Kenneth Gotsch has been hired as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance. He brings extensive experience to the district and will join us  on December 2 , filling the position vacated by Duggan Harman. As Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Mr. Gotsch will provide leadership and expertise in financial management and in the business and finance operations of the district. He is responsible for ensuring an effective management and budget system is in place to support schools. Reporting directly to the Superintendent, Mr. Gotsch will oversee the departments of finance (Budget, Payroll, Grants, Accounting, Purchasing, Contracts) and audit response, as well as provide leadership for financial matters related to Human Resources (Employee/Labor Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Substitute Services, Employment, Employee Assistance Program, Leadership Development and the ...

I was fortunate enough to go to the ACLU dinner on Saturday night and they premiered a new promo by Macklemore for ACLU.  It's pointedly funny (he is, as he says, a rapper) and effective. From Gizmodo, a pretty great domino smackdown featuring a card trick and imploding domino structures - show the kids. Also for the kids about resiliency, Doodlealley's "Be Friends with Failure."  Maybe something in there for all of us. What's on your mind?

Here's the first story , overtime pay for exempt employees and sick leave pay out. More to come.

Water/electricity/heat are shut off.  Illegal tenants have a generator running and "guards" at the building.  There are many more signs up on the fence and black plastic draping the stairs. Naturally, there have been no classes going on and most educational materials are being stored in the portable at the site. KIRO reported receiving a voice mail asking them to not shine their camera lights on the building as the guy on the roof has an "itchy trigger finger."  KIRO claims the call came from a cell phone in the building but the illegal tenants say it was someone trying to create drama.  (One of several reporters on the scene seems to think an ID can be made of the voice but that information has been passed onto the police and they can figure that one out.) I think many within the district are tiring of this situation and it is likely to be resolved before the end of the week.

There is a big push throughout the country for all students (heck, everybody) to learn to code.  Do I know how?  Nope but I think it's a fine idea.  It allows everyone to tweak or invent.  Here's the latest from UW's Department of Computer Science & Engineering . Computer Science Education Week is December 9-15, 2013 but never too soon to start planning. What's an Hour of Code? It's a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, an innovator. We'll provide a variety of self-guided tutorials that anybody can do, on a browser, tablet, or smartphone. We'll even have unplugged tutorials for classrooms without computers . No experience needed. Watch this "how to" video for more information. Check out the tutorials in beta . Other CSEdWeek events Computer Science Education Week is observed each year, in recognition of the b...

If you are interested, read the petition and sign it.  It has over 3500 signatures already.