Posted June 30, 2010

Concerned over the potential impact to local school board authority, the WSSDA Board of Directors has voted to support an appeal of a court decision challenging the Seattle School Board’s selection of math textbooks.

At its June meeting, the board gave the go-ahead for WSSDA to file an amicus (friend of the court) brief in support of the Seattle district’s appeal of a decision by King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector. Last February, Spector ordered the Seattle board to reconsider its adoption of the “Discovering” series of high school math textbooks, ruling that the board’s action was “arbitrary and capricious.”

	WSSDA Gallery: Board of Directors' Meeting June 25-26

The district has appealed the ruling, contending the board made a reasonable decision based on a comprehensive review of various instructional materials by two advisory committees. The appeal will also argue that the trial court improperly substituted its judgment for that of the Seattle board regarding which textbooks best serve the needs of the district’s students.

In approving the filing of an amicus brief, the WSSDA board emphasized that it is not taking a position on the “Discovering” materials. Rather, WSSDA’s brief will focus on the authority of a school board to determine district curriculum and local control.

Other items from the June meeting:

• The board approved the contract for incoming WSSDA Executive Director Jonelle Adams. Adams will officially begin her position with WSSDA July 16.

• The board approved the formation of a WSSDA Urban/Suburban Schools Task Force. The composition of the task force and its specific tasks will be determined at an upcoming board meeting.

• The board heard a presentation on efforts to develop and implement curricula on Tribal history in Washington’s public schools as envisioned by HB 1495. The presentation was made by Ferndale School Director Bernie Thomas, a member of the Lummi Indian Business Council, and Suzi Wright, representing the Tulalip Tribe. Thomas noted that OSPI will launch a web-based Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum later this summer.

• The board began a review of a series of proposed revisions to the WSSDA Bylaws and Policies. Deliberations will continue at upcoming meetings; any requested changes to the bylaws must be approved by the WSSDA Delegate Assembly.

The next regular meeting of the WSSDA Board will be Aug. 27-29 in Everett.  This meeting is the board's annual retreat.

#  #  #