14 come to rescue of Seattle schools

Business leaders, finance experts, administrators and parents are among a high-powered list of 14 people appointed yesterday by Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas to help the state's largest district solve its budget woes.

The advisory committee will be co-chaired by John Warner, retired Boeing senior vice president, and Trish Millines Dziko, who runs the Technology Access Foundation, a Seattle-based organization that helps students of color make it to college.

Manhas said he looked for a combination of expertise in finance and K-12 education, management of complex organizations and communication.

"Finding the right kind of mix which will represent our community -- that was the main focus," he said. "We were so impressed by the interest shown by so many wonderful people."

The Community Advisory Committee on Investing for Educational Excellence is composed equally of men and women and represents six minority groups. Members were chosen from nearly 250 applicants.

Millines Dziko, a 48-year-old mother of four, said a strong belief in public schools prompted her to apply. Her 7-year-old attends a Seattle public school, and she has two 5-year-olds starting kindergarten in the fall.

"Our kids deserve the best," she said. "Instead of just complaining, I was given an opportunity -- we all were -- to step up and try to solve the problem."

With the district projecting a $13 million deficit in 2006-07 and similar gaps in years to come, the committee faces a formidable task.

The panel can help create great public schools in Seattle, said appointee Andrew Kwatinetz, a former Microsoft Corp. executive who co-founded Communities for Public Education. The citywide parent group was formed recently to fight a school-closure plan floated by the district, which was withdrawn under political and public pressure.

"There was a lot of negative momentum and negative sentiment," he said of the backlash against the closure plan. "And there has been this impression that the Seattle public school system has been in decline, but we have to take small steps to show the city that we are not going to let it decline."

Other committee members are:

Monte Bridges -- superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational District. Bridges was previously superintendent of Vashon Island School District.

Sherry Carr -- newly elected president of the Seattle Council PTSA. Carr is a business leader on the 787 program at The Boeing Co. and the parent of two Seattle Public Schools students.

Doreen Cato -- executive director of First Place, a non-profit that provides education and social service programs for children in grades K-5.

Peter Davis -- president and CEO of Gaco Western, a manufacturer of waterproofing and insulation products. Davis has been involved as a parent leader in Seattle schools for more than a decade.

Frank Greer -- founder and president of GMMB, a public affairs firm. A district parent, Greer has more than 30 years' experience in communications and advertising.

Frederick C. Kiga -- director of corporate and government relations for Russell Investment Group. Kiga serves on the University of Washington's Board of Regents and is a former state revenue director.

Joann Kink-Mertens -- retired employee of the Washington Education Association with more than 20 years experience with school finance and budgets.

Doris Koo -- senior vice president and regional director of The Enterprise Foundation, which helps low-income families out of poverty. The parent of two Seattle public school graduates, Koo has experience in public-agency financing and budgeting.

Marguerite Roza -- UW research assistant professor. Roza has consulted with school districts and organizations nationwide on using data to close the achievement gap and targeting district spending to support learning.

Mary Jean Ryan -- director of the city's Office of Policy and Management. A district parent, Ryan played a key role in shaping the 2004 Families and Education Levy and created the city's Economic Development Department.

Venus Velazquez -- public-affairs consultant. Velazquez has 15 years of experience in strategic communications and community relations.

The committee is expected to make recommendations to Manhas by Dec. 15 for resolving the district's fiscal problems and aligning its budget to best support academic achievement.

P-I reporter Deborah Bach can be reached at 206-448-8197 or deborahbach@seattlepi.com. P-I reporter Jake Ellison contributed to this report.

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