Upcoming Elections and Public Education in Seattle
This fall the citizens of Seattle will be voting for mayor. As of now, I believe there are seven candidates. I have interviewed one of them - Peter Steinbrueck - and have Kate Martin on tap. I will reach out to Mayor McGinn but from working with him over the last several years, I have a good idea of his views.
One of the candidates is Councilman Tim Burgess. The Councilman has been deeply involved in Seattle public education and was a big supporter of the Families & Education levy. He also has shown a propensity for behind-the-scenes con-fabs with high-level SPS leaders and it is unclear to me whether he ever shared any of this information with other councilmembers. (We have public disclosure e-mails to thank for this info.)
Now I see that Councilman Burgess is being thrown a fundraiser this week by the following people:
Michael and Marie DeBell, Sherry Carr, Clover Codd, Bree Dusseault , Chris Eide, David Elliot, Christina Gonzalez, Chris Korsmo, Peter Maier, Lisa Macfarlane, Harium Martin-Morris and Steve Sundquist.
I'm assuming the other Board members weren't invited but who knows?
I have a request into the Councilman's campaign office to ask about this fundraiser vis a vis his vision for Seattle
One of the candidates is Councilman Tim Burgess. The Councilman has been deeply involved in Seattle public education and was a big supporter of the Families & Education levy. He also has shown a propensity for behind-the-scenes con-fabs with high-level SPS leaders and it is unclear to me whether he ever shared any of this information with other councilmembers. (We have public disclosure e-mails to thank for this info.)
Now I see that Councilman Burgess is being thrown a fundraiser this week by the following people:
Michael and Marie DeBell, Sherry Carr, Clover Codd, Bree Dusseault , Chris Eide, David Elliot, Christina Gonzalez, Chris Korsmo, Peter Maier, Lisa Macfarlane, Harium Martin-Morris and Steve Sundquist.
I'm assuming the other Board members weren't invited but who knows?
I have a request into the Councilman's campaign office to ask about this fundraiser vis a vis his vision for Seattle
Seattle Schools This Week
Monday, Feb. 25th
Open Enrollment starts today and ends on March 8th. Info on enrollment.
Wednesday, Feb 27th
Oversight Work Session: Technology Services - 4 pm - 5ish
Work Session: Budget - 5:30- 6:30 pm
Saturday, March 2nd
Board Retreat - no details available about where or when.
A few words on the retreats. The Alliance for Education has been gracious enough to sponsor Board retreats, probably for the last several years. Usually this has been in the form of finding a site (although I don't know why they pay for an off-site rather than using one of the many SPS sites for free), food, printing, etc.
However, at the last Board retreat, the Alliance staffer sat at the table, with the Superintendent and the Board. This was not the norm. She then gave input during the discussion.
I was completely dumbfounded as this retreat is for the Board, the Superintendent and the staff. I asked the
How Sequester Cut Will Hurt Public Education
Open Enrollment starts today and ends on March 8th. Info on enrollment.
Wednesday, Feb 27th
Oversight Work Session: Technology Services - 4 pm - 5ish
Work Session: Budget - 5:30- 6:30 pm
Saturday, March 2nd
Board Retreat - no details available about where or when.
A few words on the retreats. The Alliance for Education has been gracious enough to sponsor Board retreats, probably for the last several years. Usually this has been in the form of finding a site (although I don't know why they pay for an off-site rather than using one of the many SPS sites for free), food, printing, etc.
However, at the last Board retreat, the Alliance staffer sat at the table, with the Superintendent and the Board. This was not the norm. She then gave input during the discussion.
I was completely dumbfounded as this retreat is for the Board, the Superintendent and the staff. I asked the
How Sequester Cut Will Hurt Public Education
From our friends at The Stranger Slog:
Washington will lose approximately $11,606,000 in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 160 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 11,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer schools would receive funding. In addition, Washington will lose approximately $11,251,000 in funds for about 140 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
Washington will lose approximately $11,606,000 in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 160 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 11,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer schools would receive funding. In addition, Washington will lose approximately $11,251,000 in funds for about 140 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
