seattle school board members
And in that letter I heard from two brilliant Black women that worked within our district, Rivera-Smith said. Two Seattle School Board members violated a board policy against harassing, intimidating and bullying staff members last year when they were working on an anti-racism policy with two Black . The report was never posted to the Seattle Schools website. SPS contracted FLO Analytics, a consulting company with expertise in data analysis and redistricting, to draw new district election maps. The employees names were redacted. Did you like this opinion piece? What was provided offered little insight into the total claims and ignored the complainants take on the process. Multiple school board members say . School Board student members will have the opportunity to participate in district policy development processes and counsel board directors on the impacts of potential district actions on students. And, moving forward, new school board members would be required to take training on HIB conduct. School Board Special Meeting: Ad Hoc Community Engagement Meeting. School Board Special Meeting: Executive Session: Supt Eval Check-In; Work Session: Policy Diet. He will decide whether there is reasonable cause to show these board members committed an act or acts of malfeasance or misfeasance while in office or that such person has violated an oath of office.. Served on Corporate Advisory Board at the University of Arizona, School of Retail. All current board members still reside in the districts they represent under the new map. Self-interested unions, insider political interests and entrenched school officials decide what happens in public schools, not parents. By. 206-252-0000, Distributing Information to Students and Schools, Northwest Coast Art by Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, Squaxin/Skokomish, Posting documents for regular Board meetings at least 3 days in advance of the meeting to allow for public review, Maintaining accurate and timely information on the School Board?s website, Noticing all Board meetings on the District?s website in a timely manner, Responding to and tracking constituent communication, Complying with requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Providing administrative support to Board members (e.g., travel arrangements, expense reimbursements, and document preparation). Mar. The number of hours a month may vary, but should not exceed 20 hours. Follow@JasonRantz onTwitter,Instagram, andParler,and like me onFacebook. November 2, 2021. 2013 - Present10 years. This case highlights that particular problem and ultimately can bring affirmation to the board and the superintendent they hire.. Elise Takahama. Applications for the 2023-24 student member positions will be open Monday, Feb. 27 - March 24. July 6, 2022 at 6:00 am Updated Aug. 2, 2022 at 4:46 pm. At least one of the employees was supposed to present a 10-minute update on the anti-racist policy. Some school board directors even declined to be interviewed for fear their comments would become public record. March 8 @ 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm. One year appointment. The conduct violated SPSs policy against harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). It still has not been posted on the boards website. I wanted it to get out afterThanksgiving, as stories printed the week before the holiday tend to get lost. According to the investigation, both complainants claimed that HIB investigations are not good enough to uncover implicit bias and anti-Blackness. BCS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. The only somewhat meaningful reporting on this complaint came from the Seattle Times. The student-led Selection Committee will support the Board's selection of three (3) students for the 2023-24 . AMDG; For the Greater Glory of God; Seattle Preparatory School. Currently, Liza Rankin holds the district 1 spot, Lisa Rivera Smith represents district 2, Chandra Hampson represents district 3, and Leslie Harris represents district 6. The report noted that it seemed [DeWolf] felt the need to put them in their place. One of the accusers tried to raise that there must have been a misunderstanding, but DeWolf was relentless in his negative admonishing and chastising tone, which set the stage for a terrible conversation., Hampson berated staffers, the investigation said, and the conversation became very heated and spiraled out of control.. 2023 Bonneville International. Right now they are relying on the superintendent and staff to provide them with data. August 3, 2021. Yes, they get reimbursed a little for expenses such as gas and supplies but certainly not for their time. That meeting was the focus of the investigation and what triggered the accusations against Hampson and DeWolf. In 2023, voters will choose board members for districts 1, 2, 3, and 6. A primary was scheduled for August 3, 2021. Contact us with questions about applying to be a School Board Student Member. School Board student members will receive $17.27/hour for their work in this role, not to exceed 20 hours a month. Greetings from the Admissions Director; Prep At A Glance; Explore Prep; Open House; Panther For A Day; Apply to Prep; . They were accused of waging sexist and anti-Black harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) campaigns against two Black female SPS staff. Bier on the Pier takes place on October 7th and 8th and features local ciders, food trucks and live music - not to mention the beautiful views of the Guemes Channel and backdrop of downtown Anacortes. One witness called it worst meeting she had ever experienced., Another witness said that DeWolf began raising his voice and accused [the complainants] of being dishonest about their collaboration on the policy. She said that it seemed he felt the need to put them in their place., When one of the complainants wondered if a miscommunication could have led to the belief that they were working independent of the school board members, the witness said, DeWolf was relentless in his negative admonishing and chastising tone, which set the stage for a terrible conversation., DeWolf told MFR investigators, according to the report, that he was not scolding [the complainant], because he does not like conflict, and he was trying to be super-intentional and gentle with his language.. I have been doing this for 30+ years, and I dont need to hear your qualifications. This behavior is always done to Black folks and holds up anti-Blackness. SPS board members wrestled with the district boundary lines over the course of various public and community meetings, and debated how race played a role in the redistricting process. By Chris B. Bennett Co-publisher/Editor Two weeks ago, The Seattle School Board had a decision to make - who will be the next board member representing District 7, which encompasses Southeast Seattle. She is the Seattle School Board president. Seattle, Washington, United States. A list of School Board Members and Superintendents. The district has improperly employed [the harassment, intimidation and bullying policy] to rebalance the power between elected directors and staff., Board members are elected to advise and approve policies, Talmadge said. Enrollment ('17-'18) 54,573 students. 206-252-0000, Distributing Information to Students and Schools, Northwest Coast Art by Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, Squaxin/Skokomish, School Board Student Member Selection Committee. They were victims of HIB, no doubt. DeWolf did not respond to requests for comment. Bellevue Christian Board of Directors. The anti-racism policy has not been adopted by the school board. Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office could arrest or civilly commit conservatives for uttering mainstream positions under a terrifying and illegal plan. Before she was first elected to the District 6 seat in 2015, she worked on the Schools First campaign in support of district levies. Embattled Seattle School Board President Chandra Hampson deleted critical comments from her Facebook page. The board vacancy came on the heels of Director Betty Patu announcing her departure from the school board, and without enough time to [] But given the events of a recent school board meeting, this shouldnt come as a shock. Neither board member had to pay a fine, nor were they disciplined. Seattle school officials declined to comment on the case, although spokesperson Beverley Redmond said the replacement of the harassment, intimidation and bullying policy does not impact the superior courts decision. Some board members thought historic redlining maps should have been taken into consideration. But they did not find evidence that DeWolf discriminated against, harassed, intimidated, or bullied either Scarlett or Al-ansi based solely on race., They also said he used his position and authority to the detriment of the complainants. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant from serving as a School Board student member. A left-wing media outlet used a union-backed poll to push a union-backed piece of legislation to push you into offering support. Student members will serve as experts through their own experiences and as representatives of their peers. When not harassing Black, female staff, they fought to keep dangerous homeless encampments on school property, including one that housed a sex offender. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, the chairman of a school board in northwest Oregon, has received death threats. School Board student members will be provided agendas and other materials in preparation for meetings and are also encouraged to attend board work sessions and other special meetings of the board. Hes no longer in office, with Nov. 17, 2021, being his last day serving on the school board. Hampson recused herself from voting. Come one, come all! The board did, however, vote to take action on the investigation. Hampson and DeWolf come off as petty public servants because thats precisely what they are. Student board members are appointed for one year, following the academic calendar. Two woke Seattle Public School board directors who claim to be anti-racist progressives were found guilty of harassing, intimidating, and bullying Black staff. Mar. The board voted on March 24 to move Pre-K through fifth-grade students into in-person instruction starting in April 2021. Have at least a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. Kindergarten Class Rep - Whitney Qualls. Their feelings about why or how they were targeted do not replace the need for evidence. In order to be compensated, students will be considered district hourly employees subject to standard onboarding and criminal background check requirements with parent/guardian consent. General election date. Another Washington community is having to deal with the possibility of rogue sex offenders. WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, One Seattle business is taking a stand against tipping mania, Chef Ethan Stowell buys a historic Seattle dive bar, Amazon shutters some convenience stores, including 2 in Seattle, concluded she harassed, intimidated and bullied. 206-252-0000, Distributing Information to Students and Schools, Northwest Coast Art by Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, Squaxin/Skokomish, School Board Student Member Selection Committee, School Board Policy No. If you feel you are being discriminated against, you need to prove it with the highest level of scrutiny., According to the investigation, both DeWolf and Hampson felt it important to move forward with an investigation so that it was clear they were not being held to a different standard or process than other SPS staff.. During a board meeting Sept. 9, the board voted to take action based on the findings of the investigation. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! Normally, this investigation would be posted online three days ahead of a school board meeting. Scarlett and Al-ansi outlined the complaints in a memo titled Bullying, Intimidation, and Anti-Black Racism, which was sent to the full board and then-SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau. School Board Audit Quarterly Meeting. Some kids are back at Seattle schools, but 2 homeless camps near Meany Middle and BroadviewThomson Elementary have parents worried. And other directors and witnesses declined their opportunity to speak, too. The two staffers attempted to present the policy during the meeting in September but were cut off by board members. The superintendent was in attendance. Admissions. The lack of choices and the disrespectful treatment of children and parents by those in power will have to change if officials are going to be accountable, or have any chance of earning back the publics confidence. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Its unfortunate that another story like this has surfaced. Seattle Prep. Board of Trustees - Seattle Preparatory School. District staff thought they knew better and felt sidelined. School board members in Washington are basically volunteers. It was clear Hampson had darts for both of them, the witness told MFR investigators. Part of the reason that I personally chose not to run is that it is such a huge commitment, particularly for someone who has a full-time job, and we have three board members who have full-time jobs.Smith-Blum said that there are good quality candidates who dont ever run because of the fact that its so overwhelming, with no compensation.But others doubt that board pay is a panacea.I dont think we are going to get a better corps of board candidates for that level of pay, and I dont think anybody who is doing it is doing it for the pay, said Charlie Mas who writes for the Save Seattle Schools website. But the authority over direct policy lies in the hands of the governing directors, not staff. School Board student members should expect to spend approximately ten (10) hours a month performing their duties. 11% of Seattle Public Schools management is Hispanic or Latino. Contact the Student Members through Lets Talk. 1250, School Board Student Members. And why havent local TV stations picked the story up in any meaningful way? But Scarlett and Al-ansi wanted more legitimate community engagement with the Black community before passing the policy. Board members raised their voices at staff and the conversation has been described as terrible, heated, and berating, according to interviews conducted by investigators. School Board student members should also possess an awareness of challenges and barriers that they or others experience in education and in society. Should classroom learning time be cut down to 4 hours a day in Washington state. A school board candidate must: Be a registered voter. Seattle Public Schools hired MFR Law Group PLLC (MFR) to conduct an extensive investigation into school board directors Chandra Hampson and Zachary DeWolf. The board voted to withhold the information from online publication in an apparent move to keep the adverse findings from the public spotlight. Northwest for Underrepresented Regions (NUR) seeks to improve access to educational opportunities in . Hampson, meanwhile, wanted to vote on the anti-racism policy instead of waiting for more community engagement, arguing its already been done. Please fill out this form by April 3, 2023 if you would like to join the School Board Student Member Selection Committee. Applicants must be a Seattle Public Schools student entering their junior or senior year of high school at the time of selection, on track to graduate, and continue to be enrolled in Seattle Public Schools through the school year of their term. But the investigation said her treatment of Scarlett and Al-ansi was not based on race or gender, as alleged. The second instance that was investigated was an executive committee meeting on Sept. 16, 2020, according to the report. Then Hampson started to berate the staff members and [one of] the complainants with accusations. The witness said that Hampson was lying about some of the allegations made against the complainant. 1250, School Board Student Members. Our safety, legitimacy as leaders, unique and necessary lived perspectives, and material contributions have been routinely marginalized and discredited in accordance with our proximity and alignment with white-centric institutional norms, and these Board Directors views, they wrote in the memo. Hampson, on the other hand, is in office until 2023 and its unclear if shell run for re-election. Both Hampson and DeWolf, according to the complainants, were upset that they lost control over the anti-racism policy to two Black women. The investigative report was submitted last August and concluded that Director Hampson used her position and authority to the detriment of [staff] in violation of [the harassment, intimidation and bullying policy], according to court documents. His complaint appears to come from her wanting to work more independently from him. March 24, 2021 Updated Wed., March 24, 2021 at 8:31 p.m. 206-252-0000, Distributing Information to Students and Schools, Northwest Coast Art by Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, Squaxin/Skokomish. Facebook Parent Group Moderator - Kaye Smith. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It only requested Hampson and DeWolf review the policy the investigation said they violated. SPS upholds all board policies and superintendent procedures and thoroughly investigates workplace complaints.. 198.1.97.113 Selection of School Board Student Members; Approval of the Amended 2021-22 Superintendent . Three seats on the Seattle Public Schools school board in Washington were up for general election on November 2, 2021. Work Session: Building Relationships with Youth Continued (with Kings) . The School Board Office will reach out to interested students with further information and meeting dates. Location. Approval of the 2021-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Seattle School District No. District 6 - Leslie S. Harris. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SAT 6:00 PM PST until SUN 12:00 PM PST, Wenatchee Area, FOX13 News | Seattle & Western Washington | Formerly Q13 News, 'I've been really scared:' Survivor of home invasion sexual assault fighting to keep suspects in jail, Remains found tangled in a fishing line south of Marysville in 1979 identified through DNA, VIDEO: Kent police search for man who stole car with 2 children inside; children later found unharmed, Giant bug found at an Arkansas Walmart identified as a Jurassic-era insect, 7 people arrested in Seattle connected to national drug trafficking operation, Bryan Kohberger lawyer blasts 'grotesquely twisted' media coverage of stabbing that killed 4 Idaho students, Philadelphia Eagles WR Zach Pascal robbed at gunpoint in Maryland, Thurston County man dead after being hit by car in his own driveway, suspect arrested, VIDEO: Distinct red van may have been used in multiple break-ins in Seattle, Edmonds, Investigators: Former Puyallup police officer accused of rape may be linked to other assault, Skin cancer removed from President Biden's chest, Roof collapses during vacant building fire in Lake City, Seattle Police search for suspect who shot someone in the leg in Belltown, Seattle Police search for hit-and-run driver, SPD: 3 kids arrested for threats, stealing a car, having guns. Posting comments is now limited to subscribers only. School Board student members will participate in committee discussions and are encouraged to question and communicate their opinions, suggestions, and concerns. Each School Board student member will be assigned to one of three board committees: the Audit & Finance Committee; Operations Committee; or Student Services Curriculum & Instruction Committee. The School Board student member positions were created in response to student advocacy about the need to uplift and increase BIPOC student voices within Seattle Public Schools, to work toward a student-centered educational system, and to help students understand the educational system around them and share their perspectives with district leadership. Hampson and DeWolf are no strangers to controversy. School Board student members will also attend the regular meetings of the School Board of Directors on a roughly once-per-month rotation and will have an opportunity to report on the work of their committee, offer opinions on the motions and resolutions before the board, and communicate other topics of student interest or concern. Dahlia Bazzaz. The Seattle Public Schools Board Office has two main areas of focus: Supporting the Board in the preparation and planning of Board meetings to ensure they run effectively and allow for public awareness and participation, Supporting Board members in their role as Directors, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence Seattle University School of Law. Seattle reporter Jason Rantz noted that, in leaked emails, the school district actually refused to request the mayor's office sweep the camps for illegal activity. The attorneys representing the district, Pacific Law Group LLC, referred to the district for comment. But some witnesses and school board directors got in the way. DeWolf engaged more harshly, disrespectfully, and/or rudely with women, regardless of race. But others note hes rude to everyone regardless of gender. Jill Geary was a member of the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors in Washington, representing District 3.. Geary ran for re-election to the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors to represent District 3 in Washington. While serving, School Board student members must be enrolled in courses that ensure normal progress towards graduation and maintain the number of credits necessary for advancement to the next grade level. 174 (Teamsters 174). Not be a current employee of the district and/or be related to a current employee in that district. They were accused of waging sexist and . It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety. Posting comments is now limited to subscribers only. Committees meet monthly. The School Board Student Member Selection Committee is a student-led committee that will recommend three (3) Student Members to the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors for selection. Seattle media deserves to be called out on this. The investigation is damning both for the directors who misbehaved and the complainants who use their wokeness to prove any investigation into anti-Blackness would be futile. DeWolf did not run for re-election and will suffer no immediate political consequences as a result. The Seattle School Board recognizes the organizational structure of the district can create a wall between decision makers and the students the district serves. Education. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })(). Scarlett and Al-ansi, who have escaped media scrutiny, should also be called out.
