Thread by @thebethocracy

Here we go. First “Well-Resourced Schools” meeting at Garfield.

It looks like the meeting is set up to split folks into smaller tables to discuss:

I’m pleased to see a lot of District bigwigs here, including Jones.

Also they jazzed up the SPS YouTube “hold” music. Yes this is important information. Do you know how many times I’ve listened to the old music?

Whoa they have like 3 camera views going on!

Nobody wants to sit close to the staff. Bev gives a lovely land acknowledgment.

“Beginning of a wonderful conversation” she lets everyone know it’s being recorded.

Welcoming the members of the media. Is there anyone even watching besides me?

Why are we here? Waiting to see if she says ANYTHING about closing schools. So far, no.

She’s having board members stand and thanking them. Board members will be there actively listening. Board members and staff will be walking around to tables.

Talks about balancing budget and that this will help inform that conversation, yet once again a closing schools not mentioned.

Says there will be additional conversations within buildings with Staff.

Grounding statement: “There are no school consolidation conversations planned for 2023-2024. We already knew that. After we finish these conversations and school starts they are going to send out a district-wide survey (yay!).

After all that info has been gathered will consolidate it for Dr. Jones who will come up with a plan for 24-25 by November

(I’m trying to get details here so pausing the feed a lot, so I will get behind)

(Secret Beth Day thoughts, I DO really like Dr. Jones, and I really like Bev)

Jones speaks now. “What does ‘well-resourced schools mean, why are you holding back the definition?”

He doesn’t have a definition, public is going to define it. Wants the community to define. Glean it from community. Board members here to prioritize values they hear.

At a financial crossroads, like many districts. Hard truth is underenrolled schools can’t provide the staff and services, and resources. 105 million deficit needs to be dealt with in 24-25 budget. Want to be informed by public. Safest, most welcoming neighborhood schools.

Do this by using the responsible and strategic with funding available. This is going. Address what students want and need. SPS is a great district, accept the fact Seattle is a great school district to be in. Shout out to levy funding.

Dr. Brent Jones would really like YOU TO KNOW he doesn’t have a plan for school consolidations.

They keep pointing to no consolidations in 2023-24, but avoiding the question about the following year.

Dr. Torres is going to present the plan for the evening.

3 Topics: 1. School buildings and learning spaces 2. Support services and resources, and 3. Academic and extracurricular programs.

Torres gives some guidelines to tables for the discussion. Encourages folks to think of all students, not just your own.

Logistics discussed.

“What are your favorite things about your students’ school building?”

Luckily now I can make up time a bit.

Oh Fred Podesta is here too.

They aren’t showing any snippets of table conversations so I’m skipping ahead as best I can without missing stuff.

Put your hands in the air and wave em like you don’t care, facilitators

Themes they heard: large spacious classrooms, modern facilities, new cafeteria, security, more green spaces on the neighborhoods.

Now everyone is putting their post-it notes where they wrote their ideas up on the walls.

*JAZZY NEW SPS HOLD MUSIC PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND*

Next topic Q: support services and resources. “How can we make resources and/or services at each school stronger?”

Themes: More support and services at students at both ends of the “bell curve.” [ugh. Ick] more mental health specials. Parent education around mental health. More communication around access to services/resources. Streamlined access. Good food for healthy minds/food security.

Final topic Q: “What kinds of programs do you and your students value the most and why?”

Themes: equal in all locations, social and emotional learning, transportation for after school programs, mutual aid for families, options for different learners, programs during the school day and not just after school.

Bev gives closing remarks. Warm fuzzies for participation. Thanks to all the people putting in the work on this. “This is the beginning of engagement.” Other meetings will be similar. She lists out the other meetings. Sounds like the online one will be busy.

Reiterates not closing any schools in 23-24. Survey when school starts. Jones is going to give us a plan in November “Everybody say November. *deep breath* NOVEMBER.” (I do like Bev)

Alright.

THE END! Until Thursday (I guess?) my friends!

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