Seattle Schools: Spirited numbers

Thursday, December 8, 2005

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

When it comes to Seattle Public Schools' finances and student achievement, numbers matter. But so does spirit. Both the substance and the positive outlook of an advisory committee's work on the district's future ought to lift some Seattle hearts.

The Superintendent's Community Advisory Committee on Investing for Educational Excellence is issuing preliminary recommendations today. The committee still has much to do before its final report is released Feb. 10, but it has already earned the public's attention with ideas that include more focus on school leadership, school closures and intelligent management of district real estate.

Superintendent Raj Manhas and the School Board have brought the district a long way from a 2002 budget shortfall. But the district still faces what advisory committee co-chairman John Warner, a former Boeing executive, calls a "classic case" of expenses growing faster than revenues. And it needs to pursue academic improvements outlined by co-chairwoman Trish Millines Dziko, founder of a non-profit agency and a former Microsoft manager, as focusing on better high schools and curriculum.

Making the district a national leader will take wide support from the city, other governments and parents. But it's encouraging that top business, community and academic leaders find much more cause for hope than fear. That should inspire those who deal with schools daily. And it should suggest to committee members that they follow the 9/11 Commission's example of sticking together after the final report to monitor progress.

Soundoff (Read 6 comments)
Tell us what's on your mind.


How do you feel about the future of Seattle Public Schools?
13.5% Optimistic	22.2% Guardedly optimistic
17.5% Somewhat pessimistic but hopeful	44.4% Pessimistic
2.3% Other or not sure
Total Votes: 171