Concerns cited about popular Garfield program

Seattle Public Schools said fiscal and ethical concerns about the Global Technology Academy led to its decision this month to break ties with the popular technology program at Garfield High School.

The abrupt decision calls into question the program's future just as a group of Global Technology students prepares to leave this week for the Philippines.

Students are still planning to go on the trip — which won't be sanctioned by the district — but parents and students are frustrated the district is keeping quiet about its reasons.

The district placed the program's founder and director, Kjell-Jon Rye, on paid administrative leave March 13.

District officials won't say why Rye is on leave, although a spokesman said the decision to end the district's affiliation with the program was separate from the personnel issue involving Rye.

The 10-year-old Global Techology program trains students to refurbish and maintain donated computer equipment. They take classes at Garfield, then participate in international trips to donate computers and teach local students to operate and maintain them.

Students have delivered computers to Ghana, Turkey, Mexico, Nepal and elsewhere on 30 trips over the past decade.

The 18 students headed for the Philippines learned Thursday afternoon that the district won't sanction their trip. No district employees will go on the trip, although Garfield principal Ted Howard said the district decided to excuse students' absences. Students were told last week their absence would not be excused.

A spokeswoman for state Auditor Brian Sonntag confirmed the office has raised questions about the academy in an ongoing audit. As a private nonprofit, it may not be legal for it to use a public high school's address and to accept donations there.

A brief letter handed out to parents Monday night said the decision to end the district's relationship with the program "was based upon concerns regarding violations of the District's ethics policies and procedures."

Parents said Global Technology Academy leaders recently told them that the school district was investigating an incident that occurred on a February trip to Ghana. In response, the leaders reviewed safety policies. It's not clear whether that incident is related to the district's decision to place Rye on leave.

Parents at a Garfield PTSA meeting Monday expressed frustration that Howard wouldn't answer their questions about the program's cancellation. Even Howard seemed frustrated by how tight-lipped he had to remain. He wouldn't agree to sit down with parents and referenced an investigation — then said he couldn't confirm there was one.

"The staff feels just like you feel. I got the information just like you did, the day before," he told parents.

One mother cried when she described how life-changing the program has been for students, who generally spend two weeks setting up computer labs and having a cultural exchange when they go on trips.

"I have never seen my son so excited about anything in his whole life," said another parent, Bob Huppe, whose son is a sophomore. "He got back from Chile and he was a changed person."

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com