Wednesday, February 12, 2014

2-12-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:






Here's the Tradeoff for Tech versus Buildings
I'm off to go listen in on the Work Session this afternoon about Capital Program Planning. I was talking with an aide to a City Councilperson yesterday about this very issue.  Apparently the staff and families at the NW Center for Kids have been very active in reaching out in all directions to try to stay in the SPS building they currently occupy.  He was mystified at how there could be two groups

SPS Meetings Tomorrow
Both the Operations and Audit&Finance Committees have meetings tomorrow, Thursday the 13th.  In addition, there is also a Work Session.  Audit&Finance and Operations both start at 4:30 p.m. and the Work Session on Technology starts at 6:30 pm.I call this out because Operations and A&F did not have their agendas out until yesterday.  Again, I have to smile and wonder.  These are very le

Washington State and Regional Ed News
Looks like most of the operations/technology levies for Puget Sound regional schools are passing - Bellevue, Lake Washington, Issaquah, Northshore, Mercer Island, Shoreline, Federal Way and Kent. Bond measures for buildings - which have to have 60% to win - are a mixed bag. Bellevue's, at $450M, was passing easily while Lake Washington's is just short at 57% for their $775M measure (larger than SP

Teach for America Contract Due to Expire but Hires can Continue

Seattle Public Schools' Agreement with Teach for America was approved by the Board on November 17, 2010. The agreement terminates on August 31, 2014 unless renewed by mutual consent of both parties. I don't believe that a majority of the current Board would vote to extend it. The Agreement has been more divisive than effective.Teach for America in Seattle has been mostly about angry debate. While


2-11-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadOne of the most cherished memories of my childhood is gone.  Shirley Temple Black died today at the age of 85.  She gave laughter and hope to many after the Depression.  It's hard to pick a favorite moment from her films but her dazzling dance ability was apparent when she danced with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in the The Littlest Rebel.