Comments on: Madison High counselor tells his story

By: N. Portland mom

N. Portland mom — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:11:48 +0000

Good luck, Mim!

By: Mim

Mim — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:57:07 +0000

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to David Colton!!! I am a Crater High School Mom – We inherited Julie Howland- Crater was an unlikely place for small schools – BUT we have it. They have successfully segregated our kids into “the nerds” “the jocks” “the cowboys” and the “alternate lifestyle” schools and in so doing eliminated MUCH curriculum and interaction. I read your story and cheered!! Thank you for standing up for the KIDS – shouldn’t that be what education is about? We are in a BATTLE to try to take back our school- but the “party line” and gag orders coming out of our High School feel like Nazi Germany! The ONE principal who was listening got fired- enter Julie – after 2 meetings with her my somethings not right alarm went off – googled her name and find out she is a talking head for small schools _WOW – Maybe we will help empower our kids to do some peaceful protesting – you have inspired me – Thank you!!!!

By: gp

gp — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:03:28 +0000

Chapter 33.281 (Schools and School Sites) of the City’s Zoning Code (Title 33).
http://www.portlandonline.com/.....m?id=53326

By: Marian

Marian — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:07:13 +0000

gp,

What code are they violating? Can you give us something concrete to reference?

By: gp

gp — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:33:44 +0000

As a result of school closures and grade changes (closing middle schools, adding 8th grade to Madison & 6-8 to Jefferson, closing & merging schools into K-8, etc) many schools will be in violation of the City’s Zoning Code. Grades changes to schools are required to go through a city land use review, which allows an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed changes and how those changes impact neighborhoods. This hasn’t happened with any of the grade changes over the last few years, and rather than enforcing the Zoning Code the city is now talking about just changing the regulations so that PPS can do what they want without public land use review of how schools changes impact neighborhoods.

To submit a complaint about the grade reconfigurations at Madison, Jefferson or other PPS schools you can submit an online reporting form for a “Zoning Violation” at http://www.portlandonline.com/.....fm?c=34180. In the explanation of the violation you describe the change that PPS made to the school (ex. “PPS is planning to add 8th grade to Madison High School without going through the City’s required land use review”).

Or you can call the Bureau of Development Services (503-823-7300), which is responsible for enforcing the Zoning Code, and speak to Director Paul Scarlett or Planner Michelle Seward.

Or you can contact the Planning Commission (planningcommission@ci.portland.or.us) or Planning Director Gil Kelly (503-823-7700) and let them know that you are concerned that the City is not requiring PPS to comply with the Zoning Code and oppose changes the Zoning Code language that would let PPS change school grade reconfigurations without a city land use review.

By: mary

mary — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:26:01 +0000

Thank-you for sharing your story and advocating for equity. The push for higher test scores in reading and math has resulted in a loss of academic opportunities. Drama, jazz band, choir, German language…these are just a few of the courses Madison cluster students cannot take due to the K-8 reconfiguration. The K-8s are struggling to provide a broad curriculum and equity with middle schools. If Madison continues on its path toward narrowly focused small schools our kids will be further shortchanged and less prepared for college. The school district currently provides separate and unequal education for students based on geography and parental income. I am hopeful to hear teachers advocating for equity at Madison. I am also excited about the connections being formed between school communities in the Madison cluster. We should not have to move or transfer away from our neighborhood to give our children a good education.

By: Nancy S.

Nancy S. — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:53:54 +0000

David:

Thank you for standing up for the students of Madison High School, and for speaking out about the devastating PPS policies affecting students representing communities with limited resources.

Unlike Madison, converting Jefferson to small academies was a top-down decision, made by Vicki Phillips and Cynthia Guyer (formerly) of the Portland Schools Foundation – under the guise of the “Jefferson Design Team”.

The Jefferson community was overwhelmingly opposed to the small academies (from the time they were proposed) for several reasons, none greater than the resulting loss of already-limited curricular opportunities to which you refer.

Your voice on behalf of Madison (and other) students makes you a valuable asset to the district and our city – not one to be chastised or punished.

On behalf of all under-valued PPS students on the losing end of equity issues – along with their friends and families – thank you for your voice; thank you for your character; thank you for your ethics.

Your courage is what heroes are made of.

Nancy Smith, President
Jefferson High School PTSA

By: Zarwen

Zarwen — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:28:03 +0000

David, thank you for having the stones to stick to your guns. Eastside kids need more adults like you.

I have one question: what is your administrator’s background, and how the hell did she get the principal job at Madison???

By: marksabatino

marksabatino — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:15:28 +0000

typical
i was a former administrator with limited teaching experience evaluating subordinates with subdued antagonism. thank you for stating the facts. More luck in your next quest. Only the students are short changed, and in a larger sense, the community.

By: Marian

Marian — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:42:11 +0000

Thank you, Dave, for having the courage to stand up for your students. Madison has been neglected by the district for years. When I had my first child almost a decade ago, I listened as neighbors told me how dissatisfied they were with Madison’s leadership. We were hopeful with the small schools formation but things only got worse. Thank you for shedding some light on the mechanisms that are prohibiting this school from being successful.

I have had personal experience with one of the administrators from the district who has continued to mishandle the reconfiguration of the K-8s in the Madison cluster and have heard reports on her ineptitude with Madison, too. She served as a principal for a brief period of time and I don’t know if she ever taught kids. She lacked any understanding of the needs and wants of the community and her only contribution was to institute road blocks in the way of progress. Parents have complained about her and nothing was done.

During these last several years, the one consistent thing I’ve heard about Madison is that the teaching staff is wonderful. Good on you teachers! This is a powerful lesson you are teaching your kids and the greater community.

I hope the rest of the city is listening.