Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: District Administration Magazine - That's Their Story and They're Sticking To It

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: District Administration Magazine - That's Their Story and They're Sticking To It

District Administration Magazine - That's Their Story and They're Sticking To It

When we last left the discussion of District Administration magazine, they had published an article by former Boston schools' superintendent, Tom Payzant, about how urban superintendents are not being given a long enough tenure to see real results. Professor Payzant used our district as an example and wrote a revisionist history of Dr. Goodloe-Johnson's stay here in Seattle. (And mind you, there are more than a few Board members who agreed that the article was off the mark. They, too, do not want to see themselves painted as being bullied and weak.)

Charlie and I (and at least a few other readers) wrote to the editor to complain. One of our main complaints was that Professor Payzant did not disclose in his article that (1) he knows Dr. Goodloe-Johnson, (2) was brought out to conduct her Board evaluation and (3) that he and Dr. Goodloe-Johnson are both professionally affiliated with the Broad Foundation. That might have given some readers pause had they known those facts. The editor,

News Flash - TIF Consultant Contract Action Deferred

I just had a call from the School Board office. Action on the TIF consultant contract has been deferred to the May 4 meeting.

Here is a link to the updated agenda for the April 6 meeting.

This is a positive sign for the Board and their effectiveness as a governance and oversight body.