April 20, 2005
Letter to the Community from Superintendent Raj
Manhas
Dear staff, students, parents, families, community members and
partner organizations:
Today I share with the School Board, and our community, the
preliminary recommendation for Reshaping Seattle Public
Schools. While the discussion on school consolidation and
student assignment began as a "budget issue," it has transformed
into a deep examination of how we can best serve our students and
families so that every child succeeds.
The recommendation is built on the cornerstones of quality,
equity, predictability, and fiscal responsibility. Collectively,
the proposals support enhanced learning opportunities, provide
equity of access for all students, create school assignments and
transitions that foster a collaborative learning environment,
strengthen links between schools and their communities, and
increase the efficient use of resources to support students and
teachers. If approved by the School Board in July, the changes
would be effective for the 2006-2007 school year.
The topics of school closure and student assignment are
controversial, complex, challenging, and emotional. Every decision
that is part of our recommendation has been difficult to make, as
we know that the changes will create disruption to staff, students
and families. At the same time, I ardently believe the
recommendation will result in a higher-quality school system that
truly serves all students and is sustainable in the long-term. So
as you review the detailed recommendations, I ask that they be
considered in this broader context.
My sincere thanks to the hundreds of parents, families, staff,
and community members who spoke on these topics at public hearings,
sent emails, and provided written feedback. Your comments helped us
form our recommendations. The deep passion and commitment you
demonstrate for students is shared by staff across the district, by
the leadership team, and by Board members.
In the months ahead, we face a great deal of difficult and
emotionally charged work. The way we interact with one another will
have an effect on the relationships within schools, our school
district overall, and our community. As we move through this
process, I ask that we stay open to all viewpoints, and that we
treat one another with dignity and respect.
We will continue to work closely with you during this important
endeavor. We need and value your insights and feedback, and
encourage you to participate in the community meetings and public
hearings that will be scheduled over the next three months. You are
also welcome to send us your written feedback. The timeline calls
for a final recommendation to be presented to the School Board on
June 15, with a School Board vote scheduled for July 13.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and
schools.
Sincerely,
Raj Manhas
Superintendent
