Posted Thu, Apr 26, 5:38 p.m.

Oops. I meant to say: I hope the author of this article hadn't read the below document prior to publishing this article.

Posted Thu, Apr 26, 5:30 p.m.

Barney is correct. Seattle Public Schools often moves dollars between general fund and capital budgets. I'm not seeing anything unusual here. Mr. Enoch explained the financial woes..a building was bought against his advice. Furthermore, after Mr. Enoch left...he was able to build up an $80M reserve to see his most ...

Posted Thu, Apr 26, 5:26 p.m.

I'm not at all surprised by the bias written in Crosscut. I am hoping the article of this piece had not seen this document prior to publishing her article.: http://www.scribd.com/doc/91249825/Husk-record-at-Salem-Keizer-district While some prefer higher levels of governances, failing to report problems and outcome to the board under the guise of ...

Posted Sat, Apr 21, 8:47 p.m.

I wish StacyL had taken an opportunity to speak with all board members in a civil manner prior to launching an uncivil attack on them.

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 10:04 a.m.

I am in complete agreement of this article. I hope the author of this article has a discussion with Board President Michael DeBell over his very questionable tactics. Michael DeBell has used his political and media connections (David Brewster and Frank Greer) to launch an unfair and unwarrented attack on ...

Posted Tue, Apr 10, 9:44 a.m.

When you unfairly criticise members asking the district for infomation please remember, this is what we said when adopting the PRA by initiative in 1972, by a vote of 72% to 28%: "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, ...

Posted Mon, Apr 9, 4:09 p.m.

One last point, DeBell was part of the board charged with failing to oversee the Superintendent, extending MGJ's contract despite an audit which proved she did not have the skills to manage district operations and was subsequently paid severance packages of $0.366M to MGJ and her CFO/ CEO. Yet, DeBell ...

Posted Mon, Apr 9, 12:18 p.m.

"“The voters threw out a bunch of incumbents the last couple times, and now some of the newer members want to micromanage everything. They fought forever over rules about sending staff on wild goose chases. And one even proposed that the board approve vacations for top staff.” Has anyone ever ...

Posted Sun, Apr 8, 5:02 p.m.

I also find it odd that the selected candidate's interview won't be televised. Who is really hiding what from who?

Posted Sun, Apr 8, 11:31 a.m.

Read Barney's links. Stacy L. claims to lead the voices of "moderates". Yet, the e-mails show an aggressive campaign aimed at discrediting and coercing board members. Sherrry Carr writes (in regards to pushing 1620BP-when there was already a policy in place) "I have to give credit where credit is due.". ...

Posted Sun, Apr 8, 9:28 a.m.

Thanks for the e-mails, Barney. From Sherry Carr's e-mail it is clear the board has the ability to work together. The new board had JUST been elected when undeserved criticism was hurled at them. DeBell had shown an incredible lack of leadership and professionalism. He crafted 1620BP with the help ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 8:11 p.m.

Thanks, Tracy. Please see Barny's link (above). Board President DeBell acted in an unprofessional manner to launch a media campaign against his colleagues using his media and political connections. In my opinion, DeBell has acted in an unprofessional manner and needs to be removed from the Executive Committee. He is ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 2:56 p.m.

I'm with SPSskeptic and parent_skeptic on this one. I'm not getting this "micro-managing" theme. Why shouldn't the board be able to question staff? DeBell was part of the board that failed to oversee district operations which lead to a horrible audit. Public assets were put at risk. Not only did ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 2:09 p.m.

Testing

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 2:09 p.m.

Testing

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 2:09 p.m.

Testing

Posted Fri, Mar 16, 10:42 p.m.

I don't blame DeBell and Smith-Blum for putting a cap on committee members. It appears DeBell is trying to prevent this from becomming a media circus. However, if Alliance For Ed. is on the committee- they will turn it into a circus. If Alliance for Ed is not on the ...

Posted Tue, Jan 31, 12:03 p.m.

Sharon Peaslee states: "Crosscut has never interviewed me, either." I'm finding Crosscut's reporting interesting. They have continually slammed our new board and existing members. Crosscut never interviewed Ms. Peaslee!! It appears Board President DeBell hasn't been working with his colleagues; he prefers slither behind his colleagues, use the press, divide ...

Posted Wed, Jan 25, 12:11 p.m.

"Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren, whose involvment is rumoured to have overwhelmed Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield and her staff". Please provide specifics. Why wouldn't these individuals want information? Crosscut continues to provide rumors instead of actual news. Anyone that thinks Marty McLaren is an insurgent..have you ever seen her? Beware.

Posted Tue, Jan 24, 3:59 p.m.

I stand corrected. Thank you. Carolyn's comments have me thinking. Mr Brewster, Are you taking the time to speak to all board members? Or, are your articles based on hear-say? I look forward to your response.

Posted Mon, Jan 23, 10:14 a.m.

Under policy 1620..#7, the policy states " Because the Board must act as a single entity, it is a good governance practice for individual Directors to avoid publically expressing opinions about staff members or the Superintendent's personnel decisions". Director De Belltakes it upon himself to disclose a conversation between himself ...

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 11:44 p.m.

"But for two well-known names in the community - and in Bridge's case specifically in the Seattle education community - to team up on Crosscut to push for a certain direction of SPS governance, while simultaneously privately slamming the door on any chance at a quiet dialogue over the direction ...

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 4:51 p.m.

I'm disappointed in the dysfunction Mr. Brewster brings to this city. His writings are less than journalistic quality and seem to reflect the writings of the National Enquirer. It appears Mr. Brewster is hell bent on writing about interpersonal relationships than reporting actual news. And Mr. Bridge is concerned about ...

Posted Tue, Jan 17, 10:06 a.m.

Astonishing..you are missing a MAJOR piece of the story. We are in the midst of historic cuts to education. Over the past 4 years SPS has sustained enormous financial losses from the state. Last year, SPS had to close a $45M funding gap. This year, the district will have to ...

Posted Thu, Jan 5, 9:42 a.m.

I need to clarify the above statement. The 2010- 2011 board received a State Audit which stated "public assets are at risk". The board extended MGUJ's contract (how thoughtful)..and fired her when the scandal occured. To me, extending MGJ's contract- when she wasn't capable of managing the district is irresponsible.

Posted Thu, Jan 5, 9:33 a.m.

Oh, come on now. Enfield's desire to align curriculum nearly destroyed successful science pathways such as Bio Technology etc. There are times when the board HAS to step in. Enfield held back the donors of TfA until she was forced to reveal them. I thank the board for holding the ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 10:30 p.m.

You are correct Barney, not only did the Raikes couple provide funding for incumbents- they also paid for Teach for America to come to Seattle Public Schools. http://kuow.org/program.php?id=24501 Teach for America (TfA) typically goes to areas of the country that lack teachers. These individuals are straight out of 4 year ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 7:06 p.m.

Wow, dollars for democracy. Thanks for letting me know about yourself. Why is Enfield leaving? Your guess is as good as mine. I suspect you are just repeating words of others and blaming our two newly elected board members. However, here is the truth -there are 5 other board members, ...

Posted Fri, Nov 18, 7:04 p.m.

Smith- Blum would be an excellent president. She doesn't have the most seniority, but has proven herself to be a leader and effective board member. Smith-Blum brings to the table innovative ideas and a vision that I"ve not seen from other board members. As a successful business woman, her sense ...