Guts, independence for school advisers

The biggest challenge, and opportunity, facing Seattle is the rescue of its once excellent public schools. A turnaround of schools would have many payoffs, including the reversal of trends threatening to make Seattle a rich-poor lifestyle theme park.

The most encouraging recent developments in that effort have been the willingness of nearly 250 local residents to serve on a volunteer advisory committee and, then, Superintendent Raj Manhas' appointment of 14 of them to what is formally called The Community Advisory Committee on Investing for Educational Excellence.

The committee was appointed in the wake of parent concern about Manhas' earlier school-closings proposals. It is to make recommendations by Dec. 15 on resolving the district's fiscal problems and, at the same time, on developing a budget aimed at supporting academic achievement.

The fiscal problems must be solved. The second mission -- to support academic achievement -- is significant because a downward spiral in achievement is threatening the system's continued viability and changing the character of our city.

Seattle is awash in money and has a stimulating cultural life. But, year by year, it has been losing the middle class, which is the core of any community. High taxes, unaffordable housing and weak public schools have driven middle-income families from our city. Newcomers to the region, for those same reasons, bypass Seattle for its suburbs. Seattle has the second-fewest school-age kids of any U.S. big city -- a high percentage of them in private schools.

State educational funds flow to school districts on the basis of their student population. As Seattle kids leave public schools, state funds are reduced. As funds are reduced, the quality and breadth of education are threatened. Seattle school district data tell a discouraging story of low test scores and unacceptable expulsion, truancy, suspension and dropout rates. Too few good teachers stay long in the system. Kids getting high-school diplomas often lack basic math and language skills. This is Seattle we are talking about, not Jersey City.

Problems conveniently unmentioned need to be confronted in the open.

The teachers union has developed a featherbedding, clock-punching mindset inappropriate to professionals engaged in the high purpose of public education. It resists state and federal competency standards, public charter schools and staff cuts that cannot be excluded from any rational budget plan. Manhas responded to union pressure when his recent budget proposals left staffing levels alone while concentrating on school closures. Yet Seattle has more staff per pupil than most other districts.

Money is being spent not only for normal yellow-bus transportation but also to send kids who choose to do so to schools far from their own neighborhoods. The district has the largest custodial and food service staffs in the city. Those functions could be less expensively contracted out.

The advisory committee, if it resists political pressure, can help redirect the district's emphasis to an obvious but difficult goal: the establishment of academically excellent schools in every Seattle neighborhood. Good neighborhood schools not only educate kids, they become a rallying point and center of activity for their surrounding communities. Strong schools help build strong communities, which, in turn, support strong schools.

Some advisory committee members have close ties to interest groups with a stake in its recommendations. The committee appears to be too exquisitely balanced for Seattle political correctitude -- with seven men, seven women and representatives of six minority groups. But none of that will matter if the committee as a whole does its job with guts and independence.

Overall, the Group of 14 has displayed prior interest in and commitment to public schools. Group members possess skills lacking both in the School Board and in district staff. One obvious thought: We would be well served if some sought not just an advisory role but also School Board membership.

For now, applause is due the 14 for serving their city, schools and kids and Manhas for choosing them. They carry our hopes.

Ted Van Dyk has been involved in national policy and politics since 1960. E-mail: t_van_dyk@hotmail.com.

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