Seattle Schools Community Forum

MacKenzie Scott is launching a $250 million “open call” for community-focused nonprofits that the billionaire philanthropist can fund. Through her organization Yield Giving , Scott plans to make unrestricted $1 million donations to 250 nonprofits selected in the process, which she calls a “new pathway to support for organizations making positive change in their communities.”  “Teams on the front lines of challenges have insights no one else can offer,” Scott said in a statement. “So there are three big headlines here in my heart: Community changemakers can nominate themselves. Community changemakers get feedback from their peers. Community changemakers have a powerful role in funding decisions.” To apply, the nonprofits must have annual operating budgets larger than $1 million, but less than $5 million for at least two of the past five years. Organizations need to register to apply before May 5 and complete their applications by June 12. The applications will be revi...

Update: The Seattle Times had yet another story on Memorial Stadium on the heels of the first one. I find that quite odd but this one seems quite the cheerleading article.  The global sports and entertainment company behind the recent development of Seattle Center’s Climate Pledge Arena, Oak View Group, plans to reply to a request for proposals, or RFP, released Monday by Seattle Public Schools and City Hall. Soccer luminaries are paying attention to the project, as well. To note, that link that looks like it would go to the RFP? It goes to their original story. Here's the link . I would say this looks like a very short timeline for all the work involved. Almost like the City and the district already have a group in mind. At the same time, school and city leaders say student-related activities would retain scheduling priority at a new Memorial Stadium throughout the school year. They say using a public-private partnership to redevelop and care for Memorial Stadium could yiel...

 Update Well, that didn't go well. I can't imagine a less sincere, less helpful and more dull presentation than the one Seattle Schools put on last night on Zoom about the looming budget deficit.  Led by head of Communications, Bev Redmond, it featured Superintendent Brent Jones, Concie Pedroza, Associate Superintendent, and Fred Podesta, Assistant Superintendent of Operations. Here's the video link at YouTube . They looked crammed into one dark-looking area and rarely looked at each other but seemed to be reading a teleprompter. No one looked happy to be there. It didn't start all that well as there were issue with seeing the ASL interpreter (and parents complained a couple of times during the presentation). We were told there would be no answers about specific schools or staffing. Jones said he was "making the case for the future" and wanted to "minimize disruptive shifts ." The phrase of the night - used by all - was "well-resourced" a...

Reminder that tonight is the district's one and only "public" meeting on the budget. Date : Monday, March 20, 2023 Time : 6 p.m. Location :  Join the Zoom Webinar Passcode : 997311 Or by phone: 253-205-0468 Webinar ID: 844 5720 4378 Passcode: 997311 This meeting will also be streamed live on the  SPSTV YouTube channel . It is a virtual meeting ONLY; the district doesn't want to have to face down those pesky parents in person. Wonder how many directors on the Board will show up.  Via SPS Twitter: The family of late educator, World Champion Drag Racer, and National Hot Rod Association Hall of Famer  Al Young presented @SPSSkillsCenter with a $12,000 donation on March 10. Young was a longtime SPS educator who was instrumental in bringing the automotive program and other CTE courses to the district. The Skills Center is honored to receive this donation, which will go towards improving equipment and supplies for students to learn and grow. Item of i...

 A story this morning in the Seattle Times featured the Seattle Schools' student board members and their service . I think these fine young women were being polite but there's no missing the frustration they feel in NOT being included in most board discussions especially around policy. Of course, most of the policy talk takes place at board committee meetings but the Board got rid of most committees this year, saying they were not needed. This entire episode of putting students on the board (they don't vote but they sure get paid) is just performative for the directors. They like to point and say, "Student voice, see?" As this article points out: Some frustrations and concerns about the positions have been expressed by students, who want to be let in on policymaking discussions earlier in the process, as well as from district staff, who say the board gave students an opportunity that wasn’t fully thought out. Why would the Board put forth a new initiati...

Remember how the Superintendent said there would be a community meeting about budget decisions? And it was made to sound more like an informational meeting than genuine engagement? An email from the District was sent out yesterday about said community meeting. I have seen this email and the details are on the meeting are: The district is hosting an online event to learn more about the SPS budget on Monday, March 20th at 6 pm.  In this hour-long event, you will hear details about district budget planning strategies from district leaders and answers to frequently asked questions. Complete and utter bullshit and already a communications failure.  They should just save the time and put up an FAQ at their website.  I bet it'll be a 50 minute+ meeting with maybe two questions allowed and then "good night!" And hey, is anyone with children doing anything at 6 pm on a Monday? Yeah. Couldn't even make it later for parent convenience. Folks, they do NOT care what you think. The...

I have it from a very good source that Superintendent Brent Jones may have signed off on a property swap with the City of Seattle. What property? The 9 acres at Seattle Center that Memorial Stadium and its parking lot sit on. What could possibly be more valuable than that acreage? I can think of very few other places in Seattle.  Keep in mind that Memorial Stadium is the home field for several of the high schools for football and soccer as well as for graduations. Whatever property the district gets, they then have to build for all that plus parking.  I hope there's money involved because none of that will be cheap. For me, this worries me as a terrible decision. I wish I trusted those in senior leadership more in this judgment.