Seattle was as soon as a family-friendly metropolis. That’s not the case.
Think about the numbers. In 1960, the town had a inhabitants of 550,000, and Seattle Public Colleges had an enrollment of over 100,000 college students. At the moment, with a metropolis inhabitants of virtually 800,000, the varsity system serves solely 49,000 college students. So, within the final 65 years, our metropolis has gained 250,000 new residents however native faculties misplaced 51,000 kids.
Over the previous couple of years, we have now witnessed a marked deterioration of our stunning metropolis. At the moment, homeless camps nonetheless exist in lots of areas, and graffiti is pervasive. It’s been a painful experience for many of us. Many people are hopeful that our mayor and Metropolis Council will assist change issues. And though there’s a lengthy option to go, we’re beginning to see significant enchancment.
Colleges are, in fact, a specific concern to residents. We would like our faculties to be secure, well-managed and efficient instructional establishments for our youngsters. At the moment, our faculties fail all three counts. The development has been growing for many years. Possibly it’s time for a change.
But when we’re hopeful that the mayor and Metropolis Council may also assist repair our faculties, we’re wanting within the fallacious place. Neither the mayor nor the council has any authority over our faculties. That’s solely the purview of the College Board, which is independently elected and might do no matter it desires.
This association is not sensible, because the well being of any metropolis is instantly associated to its faculties. A genuinely wholesome metropolis is one the place households need to dwell and children get to attend wonderful faculties. It’s one the place households construct group and youngsters give the town youthful vigor.
It ought to hassle us that the mayor and council haven’t any say in how our faculties are operated. Colleges are the only most vital establishment in any metropolis. At the moment, our College Board is managing a $1.2 billion organization with 8,000 employees. But no person on the board has any expertise operating or managing a big group. We elect individuals who select to run for the board, not people who find themselves certified to be members. The identical development exists in most giant cities. Working for public workplace has turn into unattractive to profitable folks, and being a College Board member is likely one of the least enticing elected places of work. So, whereas we get involved residents, they don’t seem to be essentially certified for the job.
We can not anticipate faculties to enhance if the management and governance are ineffective. If our mayor had been accountable for the College Board, my guess is that he would search for individuals who have expertise operating giant organizations, perceive accounting and finance, and have a ardour for teenagers and the town. A board populated with such folks would be capable of rent a gifted chief and start bettering our faculties, making it fascinating for households to return.
Maybe we should always significantly think about going from an elected college board to an appointed board, and even no board, and make the superintendent a part of the mayor’s cupboard, like the fireplace and police chiefs. Both change might enhance the administration of our faculties and, subsequently, the training of our youngsters. Different cities have tried this, however it is just efficient with an efficient mayor, and we have now one. Although the Legislature must approve this transfer, perhaps it’s time to give this concept a strive.
We have to, once more, turn into a family-friendly metropolis. Bettering the governance and administration of our faculties could be one place to start out.
If you want to share your ideas, please submit a Letter to the Editor of not more than 200 phrases to be thought-about for publication in our Opinion part. Ship to: letters@seattletimes.com
