Seattle Schools Community Forum: Unpacking Last Night's Lollapalooza of a Board Meeting

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Unpacking Last Night's Lollapalooza of a Board Meeting

Unpacking Last Night's Lollapalooza of a Board Meeting

Speakers:

• (literally) screaming woman going way over time? Check.  
• City Council gadfly jerk calling President Harris, rude? Check.
• Cute, polite kids thanking the Board and especially Superintendent Juneau for saving Licton Springs K-8? Check
• Out of nowhere parents of color having their statements translated about claiming no info at their schools about AL, wanting access for their child to AL and, amazingly enough, wanting said AL at their attendance school.  Just like that.  
• But also, a couple of parents pointing out that losing the cohort for HSS would actually not be equitable and hurt the students furthest from educational justice. One parent said other parents need "empowerment" to access these services, not changing the whole system. 
• Librarian pointing out that some elementary schools have counselors via WSS, some via PTSA funding and some with none (usually low-income population schools).
• Chris Jackins pointing out that the IRB committee for curriculum adoptions by law is supposed to have members approved by Board.  He also pointed out that several changes to Board policy, moving power from the Board to the Superintendent, would not be a good idea. 
• An amazing realization, this is one of the few times I have seen the Speakers list made up of POC.  Many teachers who are POC came to speak in support of Ethnic Studies. 

I kind of went in and out watching the meeting at home so my notes may seem scattershot.

One funny moment - Director Scott Pinkham talking about his availability but not during the US/Oregon football game this Saturday.

He also defended not changing the AL policy until after the work of the CONTINUE READING: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Unpacking Last Night's Lollapalooza of a Board Meeting