Originally published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
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...
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BEGINNING WEDNESDAY evening, a set of community meetings offers a chance for closer inspection and input by the community. The schedule of meetings and related steps can be found atSINCE 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.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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