Thursday, March 14, 2013

Seattle Schools Community Forum: For Mayor - Not Ron Sims

Seattle Schools Community Forum: For Mayor - Not Ron Sims:


For Mayor - Not Ron Sims

He said that on KUOW earlier this week.

I did finally listen to the interview because I had been told he talked a lot about Seattle public education.  I found his remarks kind of all over the place and frankly, I'm glad he's not running.

His main theme seemed to be that mayors should bring change.  And, for Seattle, that would be in public education.  When the host pushed back saying that a mayor like that would hear from the Superintendent and School Board, he said "mayors lead and organize."  

Some of what he said:
  • he gave a shout-out to Garfield teachers for standing up against MAP.  
  • he said (repeatedly) that all schools should be "international" schools and we should have a K-12 system of them.  Now, did he define what that meant (and did the host ask)?  No.  I believe, based on his remarks, that he meant all students should learn a second language.  Great Ron, with what money?  I mean we can all talk about what we believe is needed or what we would like but the rub is the money.
  • he said if he were Mayor, he would be on a campaign for "world-class" schools in order to attract