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Important Dates
Feb. 23-Mar. 4: Middle School Language Arts Material Review in Professional Library at the John Stanford Center Mar. 1: Nomination forms are due for a number of PTA awards. Further information and application forms at www.wastatepta
Mar. 12: SPS Family Symposium Supporting Your Student's Success Ballard HS
Open Enrollment: March 15 through April 15 Extended Dates
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Dear Seattle PTA and PTSA Leaders,
As you likely have seen by now in the local media, Seattle Public Schools is currently faced with a financial scandal. Last fall, the State Auditor Office (SAO) was called in to investigate potential fraud in the district. The SAO's report was released last week and they found a former SPS employee responsible for $1.8M in questionable spending and fraud. It is extremely disappointing to learn this problem could exist within the district. A criminal investigation is underway. The School Board has posted documents on their section of the SPS website. To see the SAO's report, click here. To see the SAO's supporting documents, click here.
In addition to the SAO's work, the School Board hired lawyer Patricia Eakes, formerly with the King County Prosecutor's office, to do a separate investigation to determine who knew or should have known about the problems. A copy of this report is on the School Board's section of the SPS website. Click here to see the report. To read the School Board's comments, click here.
The School Board hopes to take quick and decisive action. They will meet Tuesday in a private Executive Session. Further discussion will take place at Wednesday's School Board meeting. Wednesday's meeting will be televised and streaming online. Click here for more information on the broadcast of the meeting.
In addition to these investigations, the district and School Board are working to improve internal audit functions and increase whistle-blower policies. To read additional steps the School Board and SPS is taking to rectify the situation, click here.
Please see other important items below.
Sincerely,
Lauren McGuire
President, Seattle Council PTSA
president@seattlecouncilptsa.org
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PTA Nomination forms are due on March 1
All sorts of nomination forms are due on March 1: Outstanding Service Award (statewide); Communication Award; Newsletter Award; Honor Unit; Standards of Excellence; Outstanding Local Unit of the Year; 100% Membership Application; PTAs Taking Significant Action. Turn in your Leadership Academy form - be recognized for your volunteer contributions. See the State website for further information and application forms for all of these awards. |
Revision: Middle School Language Arts Materials Review -- Extended through March 4
Feb. 23 - March 4 John Stanford Center Professional Library 3rd and Lander
SPS is in the middle of reviewing curriculum for Middle School Language Arts (LA). As part of this process, Middle School Language Arts materials being considered will be on display in the Professional Library of the Stanford Center starting next Wednesday, February 23 until Friday, March 4th, with the display open until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. Individuals will have a chance to give input on what they see and this input will then be reviewed by the LA Adoption Committee.
Dan Coles
Literacy Program Manager
Seattle Public Schools
(206) 252-0231
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Seattle Public Schools Family Symposium
Saturday March 12th 9:30 - 2:00pm
Ballard High School
Supporting your Student's Success with workshops on Science, Math, Literacy, Advanced Learning, Special Education, College Readiness, Community Resource Fair, Arts and Pre-K ... and more.
Child activities, transportation & light lunch will be provided. For more information on this event, click here.
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SCPTSA Nominating Committee
Interested in helping serve kids at all schools? We'd love to welcome you to Seattle Council PTSA! To find out more, please contact our Nominating Committee Andrea Baumgarten, Naheed Nizam and Sharon Rodgers at nominate@seattlecouncilptsa.org.
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