The Dirt on School Closures
The proposed school closure list has been changed, yet again! The big news is that Rainier Beach High School (previously announced as considered for a merger with Cleveland High School, to the chagrin of almost everyone) is off the closure table. Instead, the plan is to either move Aki Kurose middle school students into the RBHS building or to close down the Center School Program and request that those high-schoolers attend Rainier Beach.
According to the Times, Superintendent Goodloe-Johnson will release her final recommendations on January 6. Interested in attending a meeting about the school closures? On Monday, three locations (T.T. Minor, Pinehurst, and Van Asselt) are hosting meetings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Since we don't have children and aren't employed by the Seattle school district, we're interested in all the gossip surrounding the Strategic Plan almost purely because we're nosy. For some insidery conversation on the subject, check out the comments on this CHS thread. From the most recent comment: "I think it's great that folks want to support T.T. Minor, but as a STAFF member I believe it's best for kids to close the school. The principal is one of the worst administrators in the city. The staff is divided by racial tension and it's horrible place to work." Yikes.
More dirt from The Sable Verity and Rainier Valley Post, after the jump.
Another wonderfully opinionated, straight-talking source we've been following is The Sable Verity, who never fails to give you the dirt on what's really going on. From her coverage of last night's meeting: "While Raj Manhas was an idiot overall (professionally speaking of course), he at least held meetings at every site impacted by his closure decisions; the only thing that has changed here is we have a new Sheriff in town, and she ain’t trying to hear your mouf."
And finally, though the matter's not as urgent anymore since the RBHS/Cleveland merger is off the table, this is the post we've been waiting to read from someone and/or anyone with actual sources on the subject of the gang rivalry between the two schools. The Seattle Police Department comes across as frighteningly passive. Gang violence is the school district's problem? Yeah, all those teachers working 60-hour weeks for pathetically little pay and bare minimum training in gang violence have absolutely the right shoulders to bear that responsibility. Thanks, SPD. This is exactly how to go about actually solving problems.
