Both the TT Minor and Mann Building (NOVA) hearings regarding school closures had standing room only attendance. Both had speaking slots completely full and waiting lists. These hearing are legally required for buildings proposed to be closed.
TT Minor is and desires to be considered as a neighborhood school. Parents, students, faculty, and community members presented compelling arguments and stories for it to remain open and allowed to grow and flourish as a neighborhood school. The meeting served as a reminder about the importance of a good public elementary school in a rapidly transforming neighborhood. It has created new and innovative programs to serve the needs of the diverse population celebrated in the Central District. This diversity deserves to be celebrated across the nation.
Please view pictures of the TT Minor hearing at:
http://gallery.me.com/clickfiend#100069&bgcolor=black&view=grid
NOVA students, parents, and faculty also presented very compelling stories that demonstrated the necessity for NOVA to remain an as an autonomous program wherever is is located. Many also expressed that the Mann Building is their home and that they desire to remain there. Testimony regarding the current location’s access to fields, facilities and classes at Garfield High School and the Teen Center supported remaining at Mann. These along with vibrant urban community, convenient Metro access and the autonomous site at Mann suit the needs of the program perfectly. All served as a reminder that the NOVA program cannot easily be moved or co-located. with another program.
Note: The only Board member present for NOVA was Mary Bass. Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno also attended.
January 6: Superintendent announces final recommendation
January 7: School Board meeting
*Public testimony by signing up is presented at the beginning of every
School Board Meeting
6:00 p.m. at the John Stanford Center
Capacity Management (school closure and program changes) motion will
be introduced
January 21: Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Stanford Center
January 22: Final Public Hearing regarding Capacity Management Motion
6:00 p.m. at the Stanford Center
Public testimony is the main event.
January 29, 2009 School Board Meeting
6:00 p.m. at the Stanford Center
School Board votes on the Capacity Management Motion
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/capacity/index.dxml
Make everyone go to the nearest school, unless it’s justified for a very special program. Reduce the bus fleet. Lay off most of the personnel involved in school assignments.
Pass a law (by initiative if necessary) that mandates a grammar school within walking distance of everyone in Seattle.
Finally, ditch No Child Left Behind NOW. Lay off any staff involved. It costs a lot.
Independently audit — maybe the City Auditor will do it – all the numbers related to school assignment reference areas and NCLB expenditures versus Federal Funds.
While I support all students having access to a good solid neighborhood school, I also support many of the alternative and special programs. The alternative programs offer an opportunity to offer special programs that might not survive in other schools if only 1 to 10 students, lets say participated. Peers who enjoy the same things are important to the development of students. This true also for the APP and Spectrum choices. The meeting at NOVA certainly provided a case for their programs. The state reimburses the District for much of the transportation costs.
A visit to some of the alternative programs will definitely demonstrate the strong family and student involvement. Many families feel that these programs have saved their child. The cookie cutter approach does not necessarily serve all families well.
Support for TT Minor as a neighborhood school makes sense since the demographics of the area clearly demonstrate that it has a vibrant growing family dynamic.
The Sloane Foundation currently at the New School and the source of most of the projected extra capacity in Southeast Seattle spent some time at TT Minor. During the time that the Sloane Foundation was there, TT Minor was not allowed to be a neighborhood school and was removed from the general assignment plan. Students admitted during that time had to meet certain conditions of need. The fact that it has made a come back at all as a neighborhood school speaks volumes about the neighborhood and community support and reflects the beginning of the growth of new families and children in the neighborhood.