First steps, finally, to a school vision

SINCE taking office 10 months ago, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson has mostly listened and learned about her new city and district. That was a smart strategy, one that admittedly begged the public's patience.

Now, after eight commissioned reports analyzing different aspects of the 46,000-student district and a ninth assessment on bilingual education services due next month, action is required. Goodloe-Johnson doesn't disappoint, entirely. A recent move to eliminate 16 central-office positions sent a clear signal of intolerance to the district's entrenched bureaucracy. This was not a case of my-way-or-the-highway management but one of ensuring everyone is committed to the district's success.

Eliminating unnecessary jobs also helps close a $16 million budget gap for the 2008-09 school year and protects the district's reserves. Having healthy savings keeps the district fiscally sound.

Goodloe-Johnson plans to use today's widely attended breakfast hosted by the district's fundraising arm, the Alliance for Education, to float a long-awaited strategic plan.

Fair warning: This plan flies at a high altitude. It is 30 pages of commendable guiding principles and worthy goals.

Missing are the many small but critical steps that propel Goodloe-Johnson's vision into a reality.

In the short term, details pale next to a sound overall concept. But as the community weighs in, concrete strategies must lend shape and heft.

The plan tells us the what; now we need the how. The main task falls to the School Board to ensure their sole employee delivers.