November 05, 2006
Superintendent Rice?
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has proposed that former Mayor Norm Rice take over as Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. It's possible that Rice has the credibility as an education leader to inspire some wonderful changes, but I wouldn't necessarily expect him to solve the District's financial problems.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 05, 2006
06:39 PM | Email This
1. After looking at the "financial problems" link, all I have to say is now that's some kind of accuracy that any bank would envy. (NOT!!)
Seattle Public Schools would do well to instead look for another John Stanford--a guy with real vision and drive.
2. It's lucky that Seattle public schools are gun-free zones.
3. READ: Norm with a straight face will ask (and will get the votes) to raise your property taxes by 30-50% --
4. Considering the fact that the Seattle roads are in such poor shape and I believe that he was forced out out rather than retired from his last job, he wouldn't be a good candidate for the job.
5. So when he's not thinking about food and smooth jazz Nickels dreams of implanting his mentor as his mole in the school district.
Given Rice's crash and burn at the Federal Home Loan Bank how could anyone in their right mind envision Rice being able to handle the district's dollars debacle? Oh, I answered my own question. It's yet another Nickels scheme.
6. Anyone who thinks Rice is going to transform the Seattle Schools is sadly mistaken. Like a typical liberal moonbat, he will think of a way to ask the public for more money because "it's for the children". After all, a good socialist thinker like Rice is ablsolutely convinced enough tax dollars will solve any problem. Academic perfomance will continue to be disgraceful, Rice will kiss the rear ends of the squeaky wheels who value fluff over substance when it comes to education, and the Seattle private schools will continue to see a booming enrollment.
Too bad Mayor Nickelbag didn't think of hiring Bill Cosby instead.
7. No one person no matter how well intended or skilled is going to save Seattle Public Schools. The district seems headed into the perfect storm over the next few years:
1. As the situation becomes more unstable and unsure, parents with options will:
a. explore and move to private/parochial schools if they remain in the city.
b.Move to other districts
c.Home School
Since money follows the child, the resources will decrease and those that reamin will be more difficult to educate and will need more resources.
2. There are three main forces tugging at the district.
a.The office of the Superintendent - an office with very little real power.
b. The professional bureaucracy which includes the unions.
c. The School Board
In order to make the district work, they need to work together, but they are often at odds.
3. The demographics of the city. Increasingly, because of the cost, the city is occupied by those without children. The question is whether they will continue to support school levies.
Generally, I am an optimistic person, but I find little to be optimistic about in the future of Seattle schools, no matter who takes over.
8. wasn't Norm part of the Fed Loan fiasco that took down Franklin Raines? (too lazy to look it up ...)
9. ok, clip on Norm Rice (oops, i got caught)..(from seattle times)
Rice spent six years at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle before he stepped down in March 2005. The bank classified Rice's departure, which came after the bank was placed under tighter regulatory scrutiny, as a retirement, but his separation pay reflected a "resignation and release agreement."
10. The guy is a loser at the State retirement board.
Hopefully, none of you have to collect or square away a dead relative's account. Tried to register a complaint with the manager and I got Rice's voice mail. Absolutely no followup on the foulup.
11. Given Norm Rice's failure at FHLB and his personal relationship w/ Michael Mcginn, a Sierra Club whore, it's not surprisin that Tim Ceis would endorse him as Superintent along with Fat Boy Greg Nickels
12. Norm Rice may be a nice person, but the school board needs someone with real leadership qualities, not just talk. He has to be able to convince them to do the right things, and it won't occur without forceful efforts, a la John Stanford's serious efforts at implementation of his vision.
Norm, like Ron Sims, is lots of talk. But, unlike Ron Sims, he has no corrupt staff to do his dirty work.
Norm, like Ron, is not qualified to keep a job in the private sector.
13. Once ensconced as superintendent Rice will announce his
plan. Said
plan (written for him by Nickels) will be to levy Seattle property taxes to the highest in the nation. Local TV news will proudly proclaim "Seattle makes the number one spot on a national list!" announcing the proposed levy and high tax rate.
Seattle will be plastered with "Yes" signs for Rice's proposal. TV and radio ads will shout "It's for the kids!" along with "Endorsed by firefighters, nurses, and state troopers."
Editorials will use the "Only a latte(s) a day" rationale.
New day - same BS.
14. Without name calling any one individual, what traits and skills are necessary for the next superintendant? Is there a person available that has those characteristics who would even consider taking the job?
15. I don't think Norm Rice should be around children.....
There has always been something very creepy about him......I'll just leave it at that.
16. Norm; i'm trying to figure out with his "past" (especially losing billions in his last gig), how he gets a professor job at UW. Maybe the Jeff Skilling endowed professor
17. 1. What does "creepy" mean? Is this a personal reaction or is there something that should be in the public domain?
2. Did he lose "billions" in his last gig? Can you point to a newsource for this allegation?
3. Getting back to the point - what is the job description for the new superintendant?