Posted Tue, Apr 24, 8:20 a.m.

"There is a lot of opportunity around Seattle, (the Highway 99 corridor, and new waterfront, etc.)." Well, see if you build too much near a freeway, be it I-5 or 99, then you get the social justice rap because the theory is only poorer people will live there. (Even if ...

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 6:06 p.m.

Also, you missed the hilarious statement by School Board President DeBell saying how one candidate's DUI in 2000 was okay because the President (I'm assuming W) had had one as well. Oh.

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 4:46 p.m.

For someone who doesn't like name-calling, there's sure a lot of adjectives in this piece. That said, Ms. Krupnick is right. We all have a golden opportunity with a new superintendent to forge ahead and do it in united manner for a better district. We are on the cusp of ...

Posted Wed, Apr 18, 9:16 a.m.

"There is something powerful about fear, especially as a tool for social organization." Mr. Valdez loves to say this. Like people who don't agree with him are cowering in their beds with the blankets pulled up. It's a way of juvenilizing and marginalizing people who don't feel the way he ...

Posted Thu, Apr 12, 11:40 a.m.

It is sad our state does not take the benefits of film-making/tv show producing seriously. There is good money to be made off a clean industry. Miami is cleaning up nicely on this now that they beefed up their offerings. Mexico is losing some of its huge telenovella dollars to ...

Posted Tue, Apr 10, 9:34 a.m.

I agree with Director Carr about everyone in our community making the effort to work together and support our new superintendent. But we have had so much turnover because of the poor choices made in superintendents (and every other job that followed from that choice). It was the School Board ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 3:41 p.m.

“I think generally when people get out in the buildings, they find a favorable educational community. The last levy passed by 70 percent, the highest margin in the state. I guess that’s the silent voting majority.” Well, the last levy was a supplemental levy for a district that desperately needed ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 3:36 p.m.

Hi there, it's "obsessive-compulsive, pedantic nutjob" Melissa Westbrook. (And thanks to Dr. Diogenes for the diagnosis.) On the one hand, these candidates are all likely to have been superintendents before and had to deal with School Boards, district staff, school staff, local politicians, activists and parents before. Seattle will be ...

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 9:22 a.m.

"The “monster” in his analogy is the Seattle public — or rather, the small subset of activists, watchdogs, and gadflies who denounce district policies and persons at board meetings and other public forums..." Oh, you mean the people who keep this district honest? The people who sounded the alarm about ...

Posted Mon, Apr 2, 3:26 p.m.

"A slow burn isn't constructive but strategic shaming can be a cudgel. In pushing the legislature to pass a budget." I love the idea of "strategic shaming." What's interesting is the Seattle Schools is getting big pressure from SLU folks (could be Vulcan? could be Amazon? both?) for a downtown ...

Posted Thu, Mar 29, 8:16 p.m.

This guy thinksif he keeps saying the same thing over and over, it will make it true. Nope.

Posted Thu, Mar 29, 8:15 p.m.

Mckenna clearly wants to make education his big issue, promising to fund education (including colleges) more than his Democratic opponent, and also to go farther down the path of reform, modern management, and outcomes-based programs. Is "modern" management something like good management? Because God knows we've had enough poor management ...

Posted Thu, Mar 29, 8:06 p.m.

The WHOLE point is that there WERE protocols in place and neither principal followed them. And, when called on it, claimed they knew nothing and it was proven that they DID know. That is what is called less-than-truthful. The two women who brought this to them NEVER said there was ...

Posted Tue, Mar 27, 11:07 p.m.

You have to know the SPS map and look at all the moving parts. But a few things are clear as the district moves towards its next capital levy/bond. Where the World School, Nova and APP elementary north will end up are three of them. 1) The World School has ...

Posted Thu, Mar 22, 1:07 p.m.

As someone who knows the district and writes about SPS, I think there will be spirited discussions and close votes from the School Board in the future on key issues (especially a costly distraction like TFA). However, the Board has shown it can work together on many issues and many ...

Posted Fri, Mar 16, 9:36 a.m.

I was at this meeting as well. By the time they did get to this very important subject, it was clear the committee members were tired. They had a handout with a chart of all the nominees. Someone produced the "no brainer" list and the discussion of that group went ...

Posted Thu, Mar 15, 2:10 p.m.

I would agree with much of what Mr. Royer says. I would add a couple of notes. One, the Legislature just passed a bill that would include Seattle School Board candidates into the fold of campaign contribution limits. Two, Crosscut suggested, after two of the School Board incumbents got ousted, ...

Posted Thu, Mar 8, 5:08 p.m.

I would agree with Mr. Van Dyk on a couple of points. I don't think conservatives will sit out the election if they don't like the GOP candidate. They really dislike Obama and are quite passionate about it. I also don't think this GOP in-fighting for the nomination means Obama ...

Posted Fri, Feb 24, 8:40 a.m.

Another thing about that debate. Gingrich went on and on about protecting/helping Israel defeat Iran. Then, they move onto the discussion around energy and he says that if we have our own sources we could tell the Middle East we don't care what happens there. A bit of a disconnect. ...

Posted Thu, Feb 23, 3:35 p.m.

You have to read the poll questions and you will understand the results. Voters in Washington state have never had charter schools so you ask them something phrased in a simplistic "mom and apple pie" manner and yes, you'll get agreement. I would absolutely hold the will of the people ...

Posted Thu, Feb 23, 2:27 p.m.

Public education is not a "bugaboo" for Democrats. Not for Democrats who know that labor, unionized or not, is the backbone of our party. Not for Democrats who know they can count on all types of Democratic groups to step up and work for causes we believe in. But Dems ...

Posted Fri, Feb 17, 9:03 a.m.

"Washington continues to be last to the starting line when it comes to putting accountability into its public school system." Not in Seattle. Our teachers contract already has a 4-level system such as the one in this bill. I'm pretty sure this type of 4-tier assessment was being piloted in ...

Posted Mon, Feb 13, 7:46 p.m.

I can't speak for other parts of the state but Seattle Schools is having a major growth spurt. There are numerous schools throughout the district getting portables to support the growth. As well the next BEX levy (for capital renovations) is now a re-build the old/find more capacity issue. Seattle ...

Posted Fri, Jan 27, 4:23 p.m.

Bravo, South Downtown

Posted Fri, Jan 27, 9:04 a.m.

"Opponents of the rezone say the issue was not density — that is welcoming more development and new people to the community — but the view from 65th." Not true. We welcomed, and even added more density than the Mayor or the DPD. We were trying to preserve the one ...

Posted Thu, Jan 26, 12:12 p.m.

This is apparently in response to two newly elected members, Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren, whose involvement is rumoured to have overwhelmed Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield and her staff. No, it's NOT the newly elected members as BOTH DeBell and Enfield have publicly said. Why is Crosscut repeating a rumor? ...

Posted Tue, Jan 24, 8:59 a.m.

"Education dollars: The money follows the child; it is for the child's educations, not the school's perpetuation." Again, yes this is true. But WHERE is the money ($33M) for administration of this program? We are all wondering. Still waiting for that answer. "The charters can be terminated; no so easy ...

Posted Mon, Jan 23, 12:30 p.m.

"flirtation"? That's a pretty light-hearted word for something as serious as bringing in charter schools which would be a fundamental change to public education. "A majority of each year's 10 schools would have to serve what the state would specify as educationally disdvantaged students." Not true. A majority of the ...

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 9:33 a.m.

As if we give a rat's ass what LA thinks. Wait until they run out of water and then see who lives in the better area. (But as a native Arizonian, I do find the Seattle summer whining when it gets over 85 degrees annoying.)

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 9:30 a.m.

"The real question is not how to fend off invasion or competition, but how do we stop sabotaging ourselves?" Exactly. We have education problems because this state, for all its high-flying rhetoric, will not commit to education. (And the cold hard facts as stated by the Education Week article that ...

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 4:46 p.m.

Bravo, Carolyn.

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 11:27 a.m.

Mr. Brewster, this is an opinion piece but you personally attack the integrity of at least 3 School Board members without any proof. You cannot have it both ways.

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 9:49 a.m.

I am deeply saddened by this piece. It is full of innuendo and falsehoods. The biggest one is why Dr. Enfield is leaving. She has NEVER publicly stated why and indeed has said it wasn't about the election results. Unless Mr. Brewster is saying she told him otherwise, it's guesswork ...

Posted Tue, Jan 17, 4:27 p.m.

Actually, the head of CTE in Seattle Schools, told a School Board committee that they ARE moving forward with new CTE programs. It would only have taken a phone call to find that out. Hmmm.

Posted Mon, Jan 16, 8:06 p.m.

What's even more puzzling is how the Legislature can hear from the Supreme Court that it is not fully funding education to our existing schools. And what do some of those legislators then do? Put up charter school bills so we can bring on-line even MORE underfunded schools (and drain ...

Posted Thu, Jan 12, 12:10 p.m.

Opponents are protecting the "status quo." Absolutely not true. You won't find one person who thinks everything is working and nothing will be changed. The public school system is not here to provide choice. It never has been. Choice for parents lies in private schools. It is not the state's ...

Posted Wed, Jan 11, 1:09 p.m.

And you never, ever confess to a stranger, "I really love charter schools." Sure, you can - you just have to explain why and in detail. 'Why would you want to prevent schools that people are clamoring in other states to get into?' Tom asked." Because we voted on this ...

Posted Tue, Jan 10, 2:52 p.m.

I thought Dr. Young came off as a very bright person who has thought a lot about what might make UW a better university. I agree with Mr. Brewster; I would take a class he would teach. What I thought was interesting is that I asked him two questions about ...

Posted Sun, Jan 8, 11:20 a.m.

What a fascinating history lesson and so in context for today's election season. Thank you,Professor McKay, for such s cogent piece of writing.

Posted Sat, Jan 7, 4:49 p.m.

It's me, nut-job Melissa. Just Sayin', I never said in any letter to the Board that I would like to be superintendent. Never. It would be great if you could produce the letter or cite where you read this. I did say it would be interesting to be superintendent but ...

Posted Thu, Jan 5, 9:04 a.m.

"The last School Board (2010 - 2011) was one of the best we’ve had in a recent decades. " Based on what? Their lack of oversight as Maria Goodloe-Johnson plunged this district further and further downhill? Peter Maier's unbelievable action in reading a key report about one of the Potter ...

Posted Wed, Jan 4, 8:22 p.m.

I was there at this press conference and yes, I find this interpretation interesting. "The School Board had originally wanted the survey to help determine whether they should hire a new superintendent or keep Enfield." Don't think so. Did you ask the Board this question? Because I think the survey ...

Posted Thu, Dec 29, 9:37 a.m.

Hoping elected officials who had 4 years in office will now run a tighter ship? Sorry, if it didn't happen in four years, if they didn't do their oversight duty, if the Washington State Auditor called them out as a Board because of their lack of oversight - I won't ...

Posted Wed, Dec 28, 11:17 a.m.

Schools for downtown, always an interesting discussion. Vancouver, BC is ahead of us on this game. I know they have at least one elementary school in downtown (maybe more by now). The Seattle School district, despite its troubles, is growing and growing fast. You are not going to find this ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 4:25 p.m.

Ah, Mr. James, you obviously don't have a blog. Charlie and I write for a blog - every single day. If you want feedback, you'll have to take it as you can. Some people might work for SPS and cannot use their names for fear of retribution. Some people just ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 1:57 p.m.

I am westello. Melissa Westbrook Seattle Schools Community Forum blog

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 10:37 a.m.

"The decision, unexplained for the most part, almost certainly stemmed from the surprising fall election, where two insurgents got elected, turning the reform coalition from a 5-2 majority into a 3-4 minority. " Nope. First of all, as Coolpapa points out, Enfield said her decision had nothing to do with ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 10:17 a.m.

"Neighborhoods matter, but so does the city and region. People that happen to live near transit should have a voice in how it's built and how Transit Oriented Development (TOD) happens, but not an exclusive or disproportionate voice." We're not asking for an exclusive or disproportionate voice. This neighborhood has ...

Posted Sat, Nov 19, 9:01 a.m.

In terms of why I mentioned Carr, DeBell and Martin-Morris, it seemed they would be the most likely picks to fill out Sundquist's term as President. (They do rotate these positions regularly.) However, I certainly wouldn't discount either Smith-Blum or Patu because they have become savvy Board members. Despite Bill ...

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 7:57 a.m.

For anyone aspiring to be an activist in Seattle, Kent was an inspiration. He got the best people to come to a small gathering held once a month. You had access to people you'd never have anywhere else. The minutes of the meeting were phenomenal. He was able to give ...

Posted Wed, Nov 9, 4:42 p.m.

Who is saying teachers shouldn't be held accountable? Could you tell us the source of that information because I have never seen it said or printed. Ms. Krupnik is right here: "For parents, it's not a question of education reform versus non-reform. It's a question of what makes sense, and ...

Posted Tue, Oct 25, 11:32 a.m.

"But it was more than loud behavior. It was irresponsible and destructive behavior which often involved grandstanding which hurt rather than helped the cause of improvement in classroom instruction. We do not need a replay of that experience." And you assume that this will happen again because...? These are different ...

Posted Tue, Oct 25, 9:31 a.m.

As a co-writer at the Save Seattle Schools blog (and an occasional writer here at Crosscut), I feel I can speak to the School Board election. Mr. Van Dyk said: "...with the hope that they will run a tighter ship in their upcoming terms." People vote for all kinds of ...

Posted Mon, Oct 10, 9:36 p.m.

"The most troubling thing to me is Knox's false accusation of murder against a man who was innocent." The claim is that she was interrogated so long by police and they suggested it was a black man and she fingered her boss. All police interrogations are usually long and unpleasant ...

Posted Fri, Sep 16, 1:36 p.m.

What is this whiny piece about? Freedom to do whatever you want it seems. Look, you choose to go into some pretty sketchy places with little guidance and a bad map and bad things happen but that was your choice, right? And by the way, "Isn't that what we fought ...

Posted Sat, Aug 27, 9:58 a.m.

I agree with Smacgry's careful and reasoned positions. Well said.

Posted Fri, Aug 26, 9:27 a.m.

I left out - beware of wealthy people who start "grassroots" groups (see Stand for a good example). Those groups tend to have a pre-set agenda and not a parent-driven agenda. Parents Across America would be the parent choice for grassroots efforts for parents. The LA parents union has been ...

Posted Fri, Aug 26, 9:25 a.m.

Where to start? "As a parent, I should have the flexibility to send my child to any school, but there is no flexibility in the system.” Mr Oki is probably not aware but Seattle Schools changed to a neighborhood-based model of enrollment two years ago because PARENTS demanded it. They ...

Posted Tue, Aug 23, 8:45 a.m.

Assuming child abuse isn't the issue, the government has no more right to intrude on fringe Mormon matrimonial arrangements than yours." I'd assume it is after the trial and conviction of Warren Jeffs for rape. so yes, I do want the government to watch over those communities closely. He was ...

Posted Fri, Aug 19, 11:40 p.m.

“We're having a paradigm shift that involves looking at families as partners,” Finally.

Posted Tue, Aug 9, 8:49 a.m.

Interesting piece. Some observations: "The example we set is: why study math or science if you can get elected to public office or you can play ball?" I'd take this a step further. Schools CANNOT do it all. They cannot solve or make up for all the social ills that ...

Posted Thu, Jul 28, 1 p.m.

"And the end result is more housing, something we desperately need in the city." Where? Because there are many new apartment buildings on Capitol Hill that are not filled. Ditto at Green Lake. Also, how come, if density is so important, the Roosevelt station is drawn as a one-story building ...

Posted Thu, Jul 21, 1:59 p.m.

"When private interests are profitable, jobs are created." So could you please explain why we remain in a stagnant economy even as the wealthy get to keep their tax breaks? Speaker Boehner would have us believe that taking those away would prevent job growth. Well, they haven't helped. Nope, I ...

Posted Tue, Jul 19, 3:51 p.m.

"Kate did pen a very thoughtful comment to the story, which echo what she said to me. To do justice to all the school board candidates would require a separate story." A little disingenuous or a little lazy, which is it Mr. Tong? Because there are many education activists in ...

Posted Wed, Jul 13, 11:34 a.m.

"We should be glad they have stepped up and at least tried. Remember that the Board is somewhat hindered by the fact that they are dependent on what the school administration tells them. It's not as if the Board is paid anything more than a pittance for their efforts." Wait ...

Posted Tue, Jul 12, 4 p.m.

Hilarious is the word for this article. First, not one real community member or parent. I'm with Mannix's comments on this one. Second, "..community leaders are taking a second look at the structural challenges facing a beleaguered school district. Some of the leaders have begun to conclude that the district ...

Posted Sat, Jul 2, 9:46 a.m.

I deeply appreciate Mary Jean Ryan's efforts and those of her group. They are doing their homework in preparing to set up a careful framework of action going forward. However, there are a couple of issues. One, putting it politely, we've all seen this before in some form or other. ...

Posted Mon, Jun 20, 3:18 p.m.

"...neither mentioned by name anywhere in the report." What was Goodloe-Johnson - Voldomort? Please. The Board has not done their oversight duty in any real way. That's why we can't move ahead in this district. It's not the teachers contract or lack of books or even the mind-boggling raises given ...

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 9:51 p.m.

"The School Board has gone from a raucously dysfunctional circus to a body that can make very tough decisions (closing schools, reassignment plans, actual evaluations of teachers)." I missed this somehow. The Board BEFORE this one is the Board that, for the first time in decades, closed schools. The current ...

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 5:33 p.m.

I write for the Save Seattle Schools blog and generally have a front-row seat to all the district's doings. Where to start? Either Mr. Brewster is ill-informed or is trying to protect the incumbents (or he really thinks they are doing a swell job). "It was different with the Seattle ...

Posted Wed, Jun 15, 9:17 a.m.

I live in the Ravenna/Roosevelt neighborhood and have proudly called it my home for the last 10 years. I have always been very impressed with our neighborhood group, Roosevelt Neighborhood Association, as inclusive, hard-working and fair-minded. That group has worked with the City for more than a decade+ on our ...

Posted Mon, Jun 13, 2:35 p.m.

You left out that the State Auditor's report of Seattle Schools from July 2010 was the first to point out the whole issue of the Small Business Works program morphing to spending $1M per year and the whole Silas Potter business being exposed. If that audit hadn't pointed out that ...

Posted Wed, Jun 8, 7:17 a.m.

No and hell no. I thought at first Mr. Lilly was being satirical. But holy cow, he's serious. There is so much wrong with this idea I almost don't know where to start. First and foremost, our schools are not for sale or lease. Want charters? Pass the legislation. Second, ...

Posted Sat, May 28, 9:30 a.m.

Another issue beyond errors is not fleshing out stories or providing context. The recent firing (rehiring) of the Ingraham principal by Seattle Schools is a good example. Many journalists have either written or said on the radio that it was a popularity contest and that the Superintendent capitulated to the ...

Posted Sun, May 22, 2:57 p.m.

"He called Memorial Stadium a structure that cut "malignantly" into the Center's space, and condemned the interior view blockage of the concrete box that is Center House." Ah, but Memorial Stadium was there first. Many people don't know that. I write for the Save Seattle Schools blog and a special ...

Posted Fri, May 20, 8:49 a.m.

Wrong KUOW. Mass makes some good points. - one name - Rick Steves. How is it that his show airs and he regularly editorializes on it? - Mass is on once a week for 5 minutes and most of that is the weather. -the UW College of Education is crying ...

Posted Wed, May 18, 8:49 a.m.

I so agree with Mr. Cheek. I would add the Seattle Schools headquarters as yet another example. Also, thanks for naming the downtown library which I don't like inside or out. I'm glad for my local library (Green Lake). Question is, how do we convince builders/architects to not create more ...

Posted Tue, May 17, 11:26 a.m.

Well, Gates and his pal, Eli Broad, are trying to take over public education in this country so Seattle should be a snap. (Although Gates' record on public education endeavors isn't that good so you have to wonder. Ah, right, he's tone-deaf to everyone except the yes people who surround ...

Posted Mon, May 16, 11:39 a.m.

The district is now saying that it isn't about test scores; they only put out a press release about them because some in the media "asked." What?! If you put out that data in the context of a discussion about the firing of a principal, what do you think people ...

Posted Wed, Apr 27, 8:32 a.m.

No one representing faculty was represented on the hiring committee? That Mr. Young is a "faculty guy" doesn't negate not asking faculty for even some questions they might have wanted the hiring committee to ask. And the Regents paid for the hiring consultants how? This lack of transparency of a ...

Posted Thu, Apr 21, 2:02 p.m.

Reuven, if you just wanted new managers, fine. Recruit all the managers you want. But a principal? The major job of the principal (really and truly) is to be the academic leader for the teaching corps of the school. To support and direct teachers. Not disciplinarian, not manager, academic leader. ...

Posted Thu, Apr 21, 10:08 a.m.

"...who are able to forgive an occasional misstep or poorly chosen word. While leaders need to build and earn trust from their partners and constituents, real trust is not, “I’m with you as long as you support my cause or agenda, and repeat mantra-like the precise words I want to ...

Posted Mon, Apr 18, 3:52 p.m.

It's not whining when parents raise nearly the same amount as the Alliance and yet get little back. Thanks for the idea about running for the School Board, Mr. Watson. I myself am not running but there is a great challenger to Director Martin-Morris in the form of Michelle Buetow ...

Posted Thu, Mar 24, 10:55 p.m.

I was actually a little surprised the Council went for the full amount (and I support the F&E; levy). I certainly would not have dialed back in the areas that the Times suggested but there might have been places to find reductions. This is a City levy, folks, not a ...

Posted Tue, Mar 8, 8:24 p.m.

Thank you Dick Lilly for saying this outloud. One thing that Charlie left out - that he says all the time and it bears repeating - we don't have struggling schools, we have struggling students. Up north in Everett and down south in Tukwila, they get this. They have done ...

Posted Sat, Mar 5, 5:20 p.m.

"The D.C. system made a turnaround under such a tough-minded superintendent but she exited when the mayor who supported her was defeated for reelection." Oy vey, you mean Michelle Rhee? C'mon, she just lost a court case on her summary dismissal of teachers. (It's a good idea to give them ...

Posted Sat, Mar 5, 4:46 p.m.

YES!!! This is exactly what needs to be daylighted. We need to talk more about what is happening (or not happening) at home and how it affects the classroom, both in learning and teaching. There is a drumbeat, a mantra out there that somehow Arne Duncan, Bill Gates, Eli Broad ...

Posted Fri, Mar 4, 4:53 p.m.

The Board has two staffers who, until recently, were mostly clerical (and both did a great job). That got reorganized and now one staffer was hired for her expertise in analysis and so WILL be doing critical work for the Board. The Board sought this change themselves. Two, more Board ...

Posted Tue, Mar 1, 9:06 p.m.

I could go for numbers 1-3. I agree with the idea that now is not just the time to "transform" schools - we need to transform our dysfunctional administration. That even as this crisis unrolls, there are still people in upper level management at headquarters threatening lower level people if ...

Posted Sat, Feb 19, 3:06 p.m.

Just to try to answer some concerns. Jan, you said it's the same levy you voted for previously. Supporting this levy again isn't a vote of support for McGinn. It's a vote of support for the important work it does for Seattle children in public schools. Crossrip, you make a ...

Posted Mon, Feb 7, 11:51 a.m.

As someone who follows Seattle public education (I write for the Save Seattle Schools blog), I believe that these students have been ignored long enough. And maybe ignored is the wrong word. The case is that they have been put at the bottom of the "to do" list for too ...

Posted Sun, Feb 6, 10:13 a.m.

I like the way the State Superintendent job is blithely pushed away as though it's nothing. It's almost assumed that if you put it to a vote, people would vote it away. I wouldn't count on that. It's fine to consolidate and looks for ways to be more efficient AND ...

Posted Thu, Feb 3, 9:14 a.m.

Fantastic! This is real teaching and collaboration with other staff. I've heard much of the same criticism from teachers about the pre-packaged NSF kits. Better than nothing but nothing that interesting. Life is science.

Posted Mon, Jan 24, 8:47 p.m.

Well, look at that. A guy who isn't saying he invented ed reform. A guy willing to ask and work with unions. A guy willing to give even regular (gasp! non-charter) schools the ability to have flexibility and autonomy. What's interesting here is he examined the culture of the bureaucracy ...

Posted Wed, Dec 29, 9:42 a.m.

I would throw in that I believe 2011 will see a shakeup in Seattle schools. Already on shaky ground, there is yet another state audit coming out (in late January about the management of capital funds and building) that will be as bad as the one in July. As well, ...

Posted Sat, Dec 18, 4:06 p.m.

An interesting piece as Seattle and Portland are very similar as Professor McKay points out. I know Seattle schools very well (I write for the education blog, Save Seattle Schools) and capital issues are a special interest of mine. Professor McKay states: "If voters approve the bond, nine schools will ...

Posted Sat, Dec 4, 9:59 a.m.

Amen to all this. It's all there in the vows - for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health - marriage is work. Finding Mr. Right (or Miss Right) and having a fancy wedding/reception is not the end game, it's the beginning of a long ...

Posted Sat, Nov 27, 11:23 p.m.

Hi, I'm Melissa Westbrook and I write, as Knute says, for Save Seattle Schools blog. What he also left out is that I went to the hearing on this matter, read all the relevant documentation and know this district well. Did Knute or Joni or Eli or Marcie? No, and ...

Posted Mon, May 3, 11 a.m.

I grew up on the Mexico/Arizona border (Douglas which a gateway). There is really only one answer to the story: money. It's not racism (Arizona has way too many legal Mexicans and, of course, native Mexican Americans for it to be about racism). One side is that the flow of ...

Posted Fri, Mar 19, 2:34 p.m.

"Somewhere along the line it looked like a smart idea to move all of Seattle’s high school football games to Memorial Stadium to save the cost of football venues at each school, and so the School District took over a part." Historical note: Seattle Public Schools was using Memorial Stadium ...

Posted Thu, Jan 28, 9:40 p.m.

Yes, and that's why we need to give the Seattle School district a wake-up call and defeat Prop 1, the BTA levy. They have been under-maintaining our school buildings for years. They dropped 4 schools off the list for seismic mitigation that were originally on it. So if we have ...

Posted Tue, Jan 26, 3:19 p.m.

I'll answer the pay for K question: "...enables the district to provide all-day kindergarten" The key word there is "provide" not pay for. Also to note, the district may cut all day K at some schools for the next couple of years for capacity management under the new student assignment ...

Posted Mon, Dec 1, 7:21 p.m.

Good article and excellent points. I agree; the cart before the horse in closing schools before finishing the assignment plan (and seeing how it plays out for a year or two). Not counting or even trying to attract back kids who don't attend SPS is problematic. The economy is poor ...

Posted Mon, Nov 24, 6:37 p.m.

I agree with the PI's editorial take that education, both K-12 and higher ed, are taking a bigger hit than any other area (at 20% I believe)in the budget. I-728 was passed to lower class sizes but then used for other things by school districts. However, it will be money ...

Posted Thu, Nov 20, 2:31 p.m.

You want your guns; fine by me. On one condition. Anything that happens with your gun by you or relatives, it's on you. You shoot your kid in the head in the park (by accident); you're going to jail. Accidentally discharge that gun on the grounds of Seattle Center; you're ...

Posted Fri, Aug 15, 12:10 p.m.

Trees Aren't Really the Issue: I don't believe the real issue is the trees. It's the heavy-handed, tone-deaf actions of the school district. The district preaches "community engagement" but does little to follow through. We have seen this time after time and you would have thought, after the Denny-Sealth fiasco ...

Posted Sat, Mar 29, 1:56 p.m.

Note to All: Seattle Schools OWNS Memorial Stadium: Is Memorial Stadium, in looks, kind of the Viaduct of Seattle Center? Sure. I would have no problem in replacing it but people need to understand a couple of things. The land that was deeded by the Dennys to the Seattle School ...

Posted Fri, Nov 9, 2:09 p.m.

Buying votes: No one said that the big money involved in these elections bought votes or bought candidates. All the candidates are honest, worthy people. However, money buys access and if you don't believe that, you haven't been paying attention either nationally or locally.

Posted Fri, Nov 9, 8:17 a.m.

Oh Please: Dick Lilly got quite a few things skewed in this piece. There was no forced busing in 2003 and New School construction wasn't even under discussion. And the money disaster has never been properly accounted for to the public (I'm certain there was nothing illegal going on but ...

Posted Wed, Nov 7, 5:58 p.m.

Education: I think the Simple Majority amendment was a victim of timing. There was an anti-tax mood and they got swept along. But we can't keep having this hanging over the head of the district; the Legislature has to step up and fund schools. It is just silly to have ...

Posted Mon, Nov 5, 3:55 p.m.

School Board elections: We really do need to stop doing this "field" or "slate" of candidates stuff. There wasn't a slate last time and I doubt there is this time. I have to say that it gives one pause when you see the kind of over-the-top donations by a few ...

Posted Sun, Oct 28, 7:47 p.m.

Kent is Probably Right: As someone who has done a lot of research on Seattle School facilities this is a great article to read. (Kudos to Kent Kammerer, someone akin to the late Walt Crowley, who truly cares about Seattle.) I did research on the last bond issue (as best ...