Creative Approach Schools Lawsuit and Fundraiser
This is a guest post by Jack Whelan and an action that I support.
Why We’re Bringing Suit against the Creative Approach Schools MOU
On June 22, there will be a hearing to decide whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Creative Approach Schools between the district and the SEA, the local teachers union, is legal. This MOU grants the superintendent the right to waive any Board policy while approving the transformation of neighborhood schools into Creative Approach Schools. This could include waiving whistle-blower policy, conflict of interest policies, academic and financial policies–any policy! It also removes parents from the process.
A group of citizens–Rita Green, Carlina Brown, Eric Muhs, Robert Femiano, and I—is bringing a suit against the district because we think this MOU is illegal. The lawsuit does not attack the idea of Creative Approach Schools, but we are concerned about the precedent it sets regarding to whom these schools will be ultimately accountable. We believe that in approving this MOU the board has abdicated its responsibility to represent the broader community’s interests regarding the establishment of Creative Approach Schools.
Here’s some background:
On February 15, 2012, the Seattle School Board voted to approve this MOU despite Director Peaslee’s catching
Why We’re Bringing Suit against the Creative Approach Schools MOU
On June 22, there will be a hearing to decide whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Creative Approach Schools between the district and the SEA, the local teachers union, is legal. This MOU grants the superintendent the right to waive any Board policy while approving the transformation of neighborhood schools into Creative Approach Schools. This could include waiving whistle-blower policy, conflict of interest policies, academic and financial policies–any policy! It also removes parents from the process.
A group of citizens–Rita Green, Carlina Brown, Eric Muhs, Robert Femiano, and I—is bringing a suit against the district because we think this MOU is illegal. The lawsuit does not attack the idea of Creative Approach Schools, but we are concerned about the precedent it sets regarding to whom these schools will be ultimately accountable. We believe that in approving this MOU the board has abdicated its responsibility to represent the broader community’s interests regarding the establishment of Creative Approach Schools.
Here’s some background:
On February 15, 2012, the Seattle School Board voted to approve this MOU despite Director Peaslee’s catching
