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Goodloe-Johnson responds to critics

July 28, 2010 @ 2:45 am (Updated: 3:46 pm - 3/28/11 )

For months some Seattle parents and teachers have criticized the leader of the largest school district in our state. The Superintendent of Seattle Schools hasn't responded to her critics until now.

goodloe johnson"I'm tough on issues, but I don't think I'm tough on people," says Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson in an exclusive interview with 97.3 KIRO FM. "If leadership is a challenge around providing what's best for our kids, then that's okay. Because it's not okay for some students not to be doing well."

Groups of parents, teachers and even two Seattle School Board members say Goodloe-Johnson does not include the community before making decisions on big issues.

It's hard to know exactly how many people in the district are concerned about the superintendent's leadership and decision making process. Teachers at about a dozen schools say they've taken "no confidence" votes in their leader. An unscientific parent survey conducted online found only 13 percent of those who responded were satisfied with Goodloe-Johnson's performance.

While people are buzzing about the superintendent, she says they're not talking to directly to her.

"Did they talk to their principal, did they talk to the executive director, have they emailed me? I would be very curious about how they have posed a question that they feel like hasn't been listened to," she says.

Goodloe Johnson is a data-driven educator who has made several changes over the past three years. Everything from the curriculum, to how kids are assigned to schools, and the way they're tested. Change, she acknowledges, makes people uncomfortable.

"You don't get things done if people don't understand what you want done and we don't have a lot of time. It's not like we have 10 years," says Goodloe-Johnson. "Students, every single year, don't get another opportunity for that classroom at that level to learn and so I think I should be tough on that. I have a daughter. I don't want her, or any other child, to lose out."

It's not likely that she'll be increasing her popularity with teachers any time soon. This fall she's planning on evaluating teachers in a new way. Under the current system, educators either met expectations, or don't meet expectations. The new system is a four-tier evaluation tool that will detail what it means to score at level one, two, three or four. It will hold teachers more accountable for student performance.

"I'm being held accountable by the board, the system has to be held accountable, we have to be held accountable. I expect for all kids that the teachers hold themselves accountable for growth," she says.

Will the new evaluation system further hurt her ability to work teachers? The Seattle Education Association is in the process of negotiating a new contract now, with a vote set for September 2nd. The superintendent thinks most teachers are doing exceptional work and will welcome having more specific evaluation standards and support.

Goodloe-Johnson does hear her critics. This fall she'll get feedback from a group of high school students and will begin holding meetings with parents. She'll use the "coffee chats" to respond to parents' concerns and questions in person.

 

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Comments (24)


  • Add A Comment

  • chaoswarden wrote...
    ...AND
    July 28, 2010 8:27 am
    if you're so unhappy, why are you not making suggestions, giving ideas, instead of just RAILING. Now that you have that off your "chest?", get to work.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    she can't be fired
    July 28, 2010 9:47 am
    That would not be the pc thing to do, and that is first and foremost criteria in Seattle schools. It's all about being pc.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Goody wrote...
    Now Dave Ross has someone
    July 28, 2010 10:12 am
    who obviouly does not know what the subject is or does not speak correctly.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Goody wrote...
    Now she admits that she does not know
    July 28, 2010 10:16 am
    what is going on. Please, go back to school.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Goody wrote...
    Podcast,
    July 28, 2010 10:17 am
    baby.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Goody wrote...
    I just love
    July 28, 2010 10:18 am
    affirmative action.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Goody wrote...
    It is obvious
    July 28, 2010 10:42 am
    she does not understand what counseling is about. The criminal justice system does not recognize "Compassion."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Had enough yet, Libs? wrote...
    She is a Liberal talking head puppet who's Marionette strings are being pulled by her masters in the Liberal controlled WA. government.
    July 28, 2010 12:33 pm
    and because of this, and them, our children are the one's who directly suffer.

    And ultimatly, the rest of us will suffer as well.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nervoso wrote...
    ^^
    July 28, 2010 1:51 pm
    LOL
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dan Dempsey wrote...
    NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE
    July 28, 2010 5:33 pm
    Dear MG-J, You said: "I'm being held accountable by the board, the system has to be held accountable,.." This is Total Baloney. Four new members of "The Board" were among the seven that signed on November 28, 2007 the Board of Directors Affirmation of Responsibility that you requested they sign. It reveals at least partially why the Audits since your arrival are so pathetic. Read #8 and #14 of that document. You are NOT being held responsible. Did you read the Audit? It says the Board is failing to supervise you. http://www.box.net/shared/oxgl57nb1u Board affirms we will: #8.. Focus on policy work of the Board and monitor progress on the indicators of success articulated in our strategic plan, (you are not held accountable for much) leaving the day-to-day operation of the district to the superintendent and staff. The auditor says the Board failed to supervise you. Now your one-year contract extension is proof you are NOT held accountable by the Board. #14.. Respect the leadership roles of the board president and superintendent. As secretary of the Board you bare responsibility for the Board's ongoing failure to meet the requirements of RCW 28A 645.020. The transcripts of evidence are inadequate and are never "Certified Correct" for any of the legal appeals of School Board decisions since your arrival. You are completely unaccountable to the Board and the failure to take minutes at Workshops and Retreats is a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act and sufficient grounds for Recall of 5 school directors. They refuse to hold you accountable but the public intends to do so. Your contract extension was appealed on July 22, 2010 please meet the 20 day requirement of RCW 28A 645.020
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }