Comments on: Working at Cross Purposes

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:12:02 +0000

I’m trying to get around to it… I have the document in MS Word, and I need to generate the PDF.

The only difference was the methodology in determining the +/- dollar amounts. In the draft, I used actual budget per student at each school, which some people felt was unfair. So for the final, I used a figure of $6,800 per student, district-wide. The pattern is exactly the same (except Roosevelt and Madison changed positions on the red zone list), and there is no change to the narrative and recommendation.

By: NicoleLeggett

NicoleLeggett — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:01:43 +0000

Hello from Peninsula School! Research mamma here. Could you post a link for your final draft of Charting Open Transfer Enrollment and Neighborhood Funding Inequities? Thank you, Nicole Leggett

By: Zarwen

Zarwen — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 07:10:06 +0000

Our friends at the O have provided us with a terrific example of what Steve is talking about. They had not just one, but TWO articles about what an up-and-coming neighborhood Kenton is. (By some strange coincidence, it is also the home of mayoral candidate Sam Adams. Isn’t it amazing how those things work sometimes?) What was never mentioned even ONCE in either article is the fact that Kenton School closed two years ago! Where are these new young families supposed to send their children to school???

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:04:25 +0000

Regarding Rubycakes response, when Rose City Park was being closed last year, I emailed the City Council and Mayor (plus Senators and Congressman). The ones who responded, deflected any interest or responsibility in getting involved in PPS.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:33:53 +0000

There’s definitely a lot of “professional courtesy” going on (even though technically only one of the two bodies is “professional.”)

I don’t necessarily expect somebody like Erik Sten to publicly criticize PPS policy, but he could certainly make some phone calls and lobby behind the scenes.

By: Rubycakes

Rubycakes — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:58:01 +0000

Does anyone remember a time that the City Council had in influence, or commented on School Board issues?

I’m wondering if the City Council can affect change with the school board or whether there is a “professional courtesy” thing going on here.

By: McAngryPants

McAngryPants — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:11:20 +0000

Thank you!!

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:57:28 +0000

Steve,

Thank you for your continued efforts.

Ben

By: Steve Buel

Steve Buel — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:42:36 +0000

Steve, you are on a hot streak! This is a terrific speech also. The idea they are working at cross purposes seems so true until you factor in the idea that the city council has the same political persuasion and political pressure as the school board. Doesn’t seem to me that the poorer parts of Portland are treated much differently by the city council than by the school board. So I am not holding my breath for the city council to pressure or even influence the school board to begin to take seriously their obligation to ALL the children of Portland, instead of only the children of their well-to-do friends.

But, the only way to try to get some justice here is to keep fighting like you have — nice going!