City officials consider possible takeover of Seattle schools

(AP) – Lackluster test scores, low graduation rates, serious money problems and possible school closures have prompted contemplation of a city takeover of the struggling Seattle Public Schools. The city is already taking steps to play a bigger role in district oversight, providing advice and resources to help stabilize the system. City Council President Jan Drago says the city should do more. “Maybe it is time to do another educational summit and draw the entire community into a conversation about the future of education in Seattle and the future of Seattle Public Schools,” she said. The school district could become a city agency with its own superintendent _ something like City Light, the city-operated electrical utility, Drago told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial board last week. Other city and school officials say such talk is premature, though Mayor Greg Nickels noted recently that school-system struggles have implications for the city. He said he was troubled to learn that in the North End, fewer than half of school-aged children attend public schools, and that many families leave the city during their children’s school years. “We cannot allow our public schools to be only for the kids whose families don’t have the money to make other choices,” he said. Nickels is not suggesting that the district become part of Seattle city government, his office said. “What the city and the mayor can do is bring together community leaders and others to help the school district,” said mayoral spokeswoman Marianne Bichsel. School district spokesman Peter Daniels said speculation about a takeover comes as a surprise. “We are working through some very tough issues right now with our parents. … The city and the mayor have expressed interest in helping us,” Daniels said. “I haven’t heard about that or initiated a discussion about” a city takeover, said City Councilman David Della. “We have a growing partnership. We continue to watch what is going on with the school district budget with concern. It is troublesome to say the least.” On Friday, the City Council said it was facilitating an agreement to provide staff assistance to the district as it faces possible school consolidations. Last year, the city worked with the school district and community representatives to craft the $116 million Families and Education Levy renewal, which was approved by voters last fall. The first such levy, approved by voters in 1990, was developed through an education summit held by then-Mayor Norm Rice. The levy provides money for social services related to education, such as preschool, health clinics, after-school programs, school nurses and support for high-risk students. Lisa Bond, president of the Seattle Council PTSA, said the city can best help schoolchildren by improving social services. “Let’s see the city first take care of those … before they take on the classroom,” she said. Larry Davis, executive director of the state Board of Education, said any takeover would require legislation. Under current state law, district boards of directors have authority over school districts. In recent years, city takeovers of previously independent school systems have occurred in New York, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Washington, D.C. Academic results are mixed.