Nine minority educators suing Tukwila School District

Comment by Sarah Vallieu on February 13, 2013 at 9:50am

Wow. As a parent in the district I find this pretty concerning, obviously. Will wait as more facts become public, but I do kinda wonder as to how the school district can be sued because there is currently no one of color on the board (just one of their complaints, I realize). For the last several cycles, I don't even recall some one of color running, and since it is an elected position...well, we can only vote for who's on the ballot.

Fairly interesting comment by someone on the King5 comments section, if anyone is interested. It seems that this lawsuit is very badly timed. The school district is looking for a new leader, and many candidates may look elsewhere after looking at our recent history of drama. Doesn't it serve the kids (and by extension, these unhappy educators) to get the very best Superintendent possible?

Comment by Chuck Parrish on February 13, 2013 at 8:22pm

Excellent comments, Sarah...all of them. What is done is done, I guess. We will just have to see where the process reveals.

Comment by Chuck Parrish on February 13, 2013 at 8:24pm

and thanks to Ellen for bringing this to our attention. Rumors were in the wind but evidently more than rumor.

Comment by Sharon Mann on February 18, 2013 at 1:32pm

I agree with Sarah. Plus, if these educators spent the same amount of time planning on how to better the education process in the school system as they do rallying for attention, some good might come of it. I support the School Board. These are people giving of their "free time" and family time to work on trying to make this school district a better district. A district that because of the diverse population presents huge mountains to climb in itself. These are people who could be enjoying their hours doing something for themselves and yet spent endless hours working for the betterment of the District. Only to be yelled at, sued and called names. The district could use the money to positive things to educate our younger generation not a continuation of a negative dialogue. Besides what does this teach our students, "if you don't like your teacher or any of your superiors you just protest, call people names and cause general disruption".
But it goes way beyond the school board. If you look at the volunteers on all the committees, boards and commisssions, it's the same names. The 10% doing 90% of the work leaving 90% to do the complaining. If you don't like what is happening--get involved--but in a positive way. there's a lot of us working on trying to improve the image of Tukwila but as they say--"It takes a Village"

Comment by Chuck Parrish on February 18, 2013 at 2:17pm

Well said, Sharon

Comment by Ellen Gengler on February 18, 2013 at 2:33pm

Sharon - like "Tukwila Village?"
LOVE THE PUN!

Comment by Barbara Bader on February 19, 2013 at 9:33am

Well said Sharon. Also, can anyone explain what a "white agenda" is? in the context of the most diverse school district in the country.

Barbara Bader

Comment by Sarah Vallieu on February 19, 2013 at 12:47pm

Well said, Sharon.

I haven't had the opportunity to see what information on this lawsuit is public reading. I want to support the teachers, and I don't want to minimize what concerns the "Tukwila 9" have. I am curious as to how they addressed their concerns prior to filing this lawsuit, and how those concerns were acted on, or ignored, by TSD administration.

I am aware of a group of concerned African American parents and employees speaking out at a school board meeting in the fall. That centered on the racial makeup of the school board, and leveled allegations that one member, in particular, was a racist. As many people that spoke against this school board member, twice as many spoke for that person, and their time and good works while on the board, and their support of ALL cultures. If this is one example of their concerns being ignored, I am concerned about the legitimacy of the entire lawsuit.

In seeing the King5 story, I was also concerned when they spoke of "our kids." Are they speaking of ALL of our kids, which I hope they are? Or only African American kids? It is unclear to me. This district, these teachers, us parents, have to work together so that ALL of our kids succeed. This district is under enormous pressure because of the diverse population, and the district (no one school district in fact) can't do it alone. Learning, respect and a thirst for education has to start with us as parents, and that is true no matter what your racial background is. As a parent in the district, my experience has been a very respectful and open environment for ALL cultures. I can't even put the term"white agenda" with ANYTHING I have experienced.

Comment by Ellen Gengler on February 19, 2013 at 1:10pm

I have requested a copy of the lawsuit. Once I have received it, I will post it here for people to read and review.

Comment by Sarah Vallieu on February 19, 2013 at 1:14pm

Ellen, that is great. Thank you for doing that.

Sarah

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