In the news:
Originally published January 25, 2012 at 10:30 PM | Page modified January 31, 2012 at 2:53 PM
School board tables talk about its power, votes to reopen school
Seattle School Board tables a proposal to define its power and votes to reopen a mothballed school to deal with overcrowding.
Seattle Times education reporter
In a sign of division, the Seattle School Board voted 4-3 Wednesday night to postpone consideration of a proposal about its own power.
The vote followed an unusually long and contentious debate about the proposal, which would have spelled out clear guidelines for appropriate behavior by board members — in essence, directing them to focus on districtwide policy and avoid interfering in day-to-day school operations.
Board President Michael DeBell wrote the proposal after popular Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield announced last month she would not seek the job on a permanent basis. DeBell believes consistent micromanagement by board members drove Enfield away and will hurt the school district's chance of attracting a quality replacement.
At Wednesday's meeting, Enfield herself offered support for that perspective.
"It is sorely needed," she said of the proposal in what may have been the first hint at the reason for her decision.
But despite that, four members led by Board Vice President Kay Smith-Blum successfully argued the proposal deserved discussion at a full board work session.
"I want to make sure we get this right," she said.
Meanwhile, board member Betty Patu expressed anger at the proposal, which she feels is targeted at her
"If I am being accused of being an advocate for our students, staff and community, then I plead guilty," she said before arguing the proposal would hinder her ability to respond to her constituents.
Also at Wednesday's meeting, the board unanimously approved a plan to deal with serious school overcrowding in West Seattle and other parts of the city. The plan, which has been debated for months but has not significantly changed, would reopen the old Boren High School building (5950 Delridge Way S.W.) as an optional elementary school, add about 30 portable classrooms across the city and reduce the school zone that is guaranteed admission to popular John Stanford International School.
Overcrowding will continue to be an issue, with enrollment expected to increase by at least an additional 4,000 students, to 52,750, by 2015. There will not be enough money in the budget for significant new construction until 2016.
Brian M. Rosenthal: 206-464-3195 or brosenthal@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @brianmrosenthal.
