A Note from a Public School Mom of Three & a Candidate's Wife

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCE INFO:

Okay, I just returned form a meet and greet with John Settles. He had been forewarned about this issue and actually offered to set up a conference call with our users. If anyone is interested in that, let me know. But, for the time being I told hims simple post here (such as I'm posting now) is probably sufficient.

First, unbeknownst to me, David Grosso has already introduced legislation to allow neighborhood preference. The bill has gone nowhere, but you can see the text here:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130410125256.pdf

This bill is completely unacceptable to me. It allows a neighborhood preference for 20% of the students, but the preference doesn't apply to pre-K (this seems like a strange limitation to me).

Settles said that this bill is the basis of his position. However, he further said that he believes this should only be applied to situations in which the local DCPS school has been closed and a charter opened in its building. I am not aware of examples that would meet that qualification.

He repeatedly stressed that he does not see charter schools as a replacement for local DCPS schools and that the focus needs to be on creating strong local DCPS schools in every neighborhood.

Having had several conversations about education with Settles, I see his education priorities like this:

1) Getting DCPS and Charters to cooperate in an organized manner so that they are partners not competitors;
2) Fixing DCPS internal structures to increase accountability and improve outputs;
3) Creating great neighborhood schools (this might even be number 2 instead of 3);
..
..
..
Way, way down...

x) Neighborhood preference for charter schools.

This makes Settles sound incredibly pragmatic, in a good way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCE INFO:

Okay, I just returned form a meet and greet with John Settles. He had been forewarned about this issue and actually offered to set up a conference call with our users. If anyone is interested in that, let me know. But, for the time being I told hims simple post here (such as I'm posting now) is probably sufficient.

First, unbeknownst to me, David Grosso has already introduced legislation to allow neighborhood preference. The bill has gone nowhere, but you can see the text here:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130410125256.pdf

This bill is completely unacceptable to me. It allows a neighborhood preference for 20% of the students, but the preference doesn't apply to pre-K (this seems like a strange limitation to me).

Settles said that this bill is the basis of his position. However, he further said that he believes this should only be applied to situations in which the local DCPS school has been closed and a charter opened in its building. I am not aware of examples that would meet that qualification.

He repeatedly stressed that he does not see charter schools as a replacement for local DCPS schools and that the focus needs to be on creating strong local DCPS schools in every neighborhood.

Having had several conversations about education with Settles, I see his education priorities like this:

1) Getting DCPS and Charters to cooperate in an organized manner so that they are partners not competitors;
2) Fixing DCPS internal structures to increase accountability and improve outputs;
3) Creating great neighborhood schools (this might even be number 2 instead of 3);
..
..
..
Way, way down...

x) Neighborhood preference for charter schools.

This makes Settles sound incredibly pragmatic, in a good way.

This is all very interesting. Since he is OOB for Hearst, I wonder how that will affect his position on the easiest way to alleviate overcrowding at Wilson - get rid of the automatic OOB feeder rights established by Rhee 5 years ago?

I don't get cooperation instead of competition - DCPS is usually pissed about the kids they get from KIPP etc, but I'm not sure where cooperation really comes in?????

Charters in early stages move sometimes numerous times - are we giving a bunch of people an extra lucky bite at the apple? Just because of alleged transportation problems?

This sounds voluntary right?

Just explain to Settles that Latin apparently had over 1,000 applications for 111 spots, 57 of which are reserved for sibs. Who in their right mind would not rent etc in their new location if they win the lottery? That would leave maybe 30 spots for normal kids (the ones the lottery is supposed to serve?)

Basis had over 500 where we were listed in top 2 or 3 (not counting sib preference), and we only have 5th grade slots basically. Again, wealthy people will just establish residency in the area by the time they have to prove it after winning the lottery. Neighborhood preference for the "hot" charters (and KIPP apparently has waitlists too) will just end up being a lot of maneuvering by those with the means to do it. We would have done anything except cheat or lie, but having proof of residency at the time you register is not cheating or lying.

Ok I'll vote for him if you think everyone else is more stuck in their position..............

Is that your position?

[Anonymous]

Good point about what is view on OOB feeder rights would be. Could he vote for discontinuing it given his family situation?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
Ok I'll vote for him if you think everyone else is more stuck in their position..............

Is that your position?

My position is that you could remove education from the table completely and Settles is still the best candidate for the At-Large seat. Add education and it is not even a contest. As someone recently said to me, the only way you can find a candidate with whom you agree completely is to run yourself. I don't agree with Settles completely about the neighborhood preference issue, but since I'm not running myself, I am happy to support him.

The issue about cooperation instead of competition goes back to the entire structure of education in DC. We have the Deputy Mayor of Education, the Superintendent (OSSE), the DCPS Chancellor, the State Board of Education, and the Public Charter School Board. These groups are not working off the same sheet of music. Settles wants them all working together to achieve the best outcomes for our students rather than working either inadvertently or purposely to undermine each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:@ Mrs Settles,
Can you give the reason(s) why your family left Inspired Teaching for Hearst? Also, since your kids are OOB for Hearst, what are your husband's thoughts about the OOB feeder rights? Should those be revoked before changing the boundaries of Deal?

Still would like to hear a response on this question. Jeff, did he reference this? Mrs Settles, are you still out there? Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ok I'll vote for him if you think everyone else is more stuck in their position..............

Is that your position?

My position is that you could remove education from the table completely and Settles is still the best candidate for the At-Large seat. Add education and it is not even a contest. As someone recently said to me, the only way you can find a candidate with whom you agree completely is to run yourself. I don't agree with Settles completely about the neighborhood preference issue, but since I'm not running myself, I am happy to support him.

The issue about cooperation instead of competition goes back to the entire structure of education in DC. We have the Deputy Mayor of Education, the Superintendent (OSSE), the DCPS Chancellor, the State Board of Education, and the Public Charter School Board. These groups are not working off the same sheet of music. Settles wants them all working together to achieve the best outcomes for our students rather than working either inadvertently or purposely to undermine each other.

Well said. You forgot the Council also. It's so incredibly frustrating to see so many great people, both at charters and DCPS schools, working so hard to build and maintain great schools, to be constantly hamstrung by this ramshackle mess that we have devised. With the at times meddling help of Congress, of course.

And totally agreed about the way to look at candidates. It shouldn't be about a single issue or set of issues, It should be about how a candidate approaches problems, and devises/decides on potential solutions. Settles seems to approach things in the right manner. I wish him the best, and hope that enough voters agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:@ Mrs Settles,
Can you give the reason(s) why your family left Inspired Teaching for Hearst? Also, since your kids are OOB for Hearst, what are your husband's thoughts about the OOB feeder rights? Should those be revoked before changing the boundaries of Deal?

Still would like to hear a response on this question. Jeff, did he reference this? Mrs Settles, are you still out there? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Do you seriously expect a response to the first question in a public forum? People make decisions about their kids for a variety of factors, some of which may be private or at least very personal. I think the second/third question is fair game for a public discussion (although a bit in the weeds).

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:@ Mrs Settles,
Can you give the reason(s) why your family left Inspired Teaching for Hearst? Also, since your kids are OOB for Hearst, what are your husband's thoughts about the OOB feeder rights? Should those be revoked before changing the boundaries of Deal?

Still would like to hear a response on this question. Jeff, did he reference this? Mrs Settles, are you still out there? Thanks in advance for your responses.

I'm not sure which of the two questions you would like answered. I don't know why they left Inspired Teaching, but it could have to do with having twins. Does anyone know if IT had at least two classes per grade?

As for OOB and boundaries, I got the impression that he expects it to be complete before he would take office and he is just as worried about the results as the rest of us. I believe his own kids would be grandfathered (as much as any of us could know about that at this point), so I'm not sure his personal stake is quite as high as it might at first appear.

[Anonymous]

I doubt the Settles' would respond to either specific questions about their family (no ones' business) or a divisive question like the OOB feeder rights.

Though I would like to know the OOB feeder rights answer, I just wonder if they would respond to it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Jeff, for the info on charter school preference. I still disagree with him, but I will vote Settled in the at-large.

Curious of anyone knows the positioning charter school neighborhood preference of Jim Graham's opponent, Brianne Nadeau. I emailed to ask her and never heard back. Does Graham support neighborhood preference? (I have assumed so but now realize that I am not sure.)

Signed,

Ward 1 single-issue Democratic voter

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, Jeff, for the info on charter school preference. I still disagree with him, but I will vote Settled in the at-large.

Curious of anyone knows the positioning charter school neighborhood preference of Jim Graham's opponent, Brianne Nadeau. I emailed to ask her and never heard back. Does Graham support neighborhood preference? (I have assumed so but now realize that I am not sure.)

Signed,

Ward 1 single-issue Democratic voter

Nadeau opposes neighborhood preference and Graham supports. I got that information from this questionnaire:

http://voterguide.wamu.org/race-detail.do?id=12719987&party=Dem

Not that I should criticize given the number of typos I make, but Graham really needs to improve his typing.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCE INFO:

Okay, I just returned form a meet and greet with John Settles. He had been forewarned about this issue and actually offered to set up a conference call with our users. If anyone is interested in that, let me know. But, for the time being I told hims simple post here (such as I'm posting now) is probably sufficient.

First, unbeknownst to me, David Grosso has already introduced legislation to allow neighborhood preference. The bill has gone nowhere, but you can see the text here:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130410125256.pdf

This bill is completely unacceptable to me. It allows a neighborhood preference for 20% of the students, but the preference doesn't apply to pre-K (this seems like a strange limitation to me).

Settles said that this bill is the basis of his position. However, he further said that he believes this should only be applied to situations in which the local DCPS school has been closed and a charter opened in its building. I am not aware of examples that would meet that qualification.

He repeatedly stressed that he does not see charter schools as a replacement for local DCPS schools and that the focus needs to be on creating strong local DCPS schools in every neighborhood.

Having had several conversations about education with Settles, I see his education priorities like this:

1) Getting DCPS and Charters to cooperate in an organized manner so that they are partners not competitors;
2) Fixing DCPS internal structures to increase accountability and improve outputs;
3) Creating great neighborhood schools (this might even be number 2 instead of 3);
..
..
..
Way, way down...

x) Neighborhood preference for charter schools.

Washington Latin is in the former Rudolph School, a neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, Jeff, for the info on charter school preference. I still disagree with him, but I will vote Settled in the at-large.

Curious of anyone knows the positioning charter school neighborhood preference of Jim Graham's opponent, Brianne Nadeau. I emailed to ask her and never heard back. Does Graham support neighborhood preference? (I have assumed so but now realize that I am not sure.)

Signed,

Ward 1 single-issue Democratic voter

Nadeau opposes neighborhood preference and Graham supports. I got that information from this questionnaire:

http://voterguide.wamu.org/race-detail.do?id=12719987&party=Dem

Not that I should criticize given the number of typos I make, but Graham really needs to improve his typing.

Thank you! She has my vote!