SPS Deputy Superintendent Charles Wright has just resigned.? You can read his full letter here:
Dear JSCEE Staff and School Leaders ?
When I welcomed you back at the Summer Leadership Institute in August 2014, I made a personal unspoken commitment to you, our students, and our teachers that I would ensure a smooth transition of day-to-day operations as the interim, and permanent superintendent joined the team.? It was my belief both then and now that remaining in my role during the transition would ensure the continuity of leadership necessary to address some of the structural and systemic challenges that have impeded your efforts to meet the needs of our students, families, and colleagues.
While there is still much work to be done, a smooth transition has, indeed, occurred making now an appropriate time for my departure. Effective January 5, 2016, I am resigning as Deputy Superintendent of the Seattle Public Schools.
As you should know, you are in very capable hands with Dr. Nyland.? He is listening to, and acting upon, many of your best ideas. He has set a tone for central staff to be responsive to our school leaders, families and one another. This tone is healthy and necessary. He is working diligently with the board to achieve a focus on a few key priorities. And, he is working with central staff to create a culture of collaboration, customer service, and systems improvement, including a framework that clearly articulates when and how principals and communities will be engaged in district decisions.
I am proud of the work we have done together since I joined the district in September 2013. This work includes:
- Establishing the Service Improvement Cycle (SIC), which includes the School Leader Satisfaction survey and focus groups. The SIC elevates school leader voices around the effectiveness of central services.? The survey results have been embedded in the Superintendent Goals for two years, and have also been adopted by the Board as a key metric in the District Scorecard.
- A focus on improving processes, timeline, and school communications related to the start of school; and bringing visibility to the need to do much more.
- Creation of the Student Civil Rights Office which will ensure that all of our students have a safer learning environment and supports
- Chairing the Classification and Compensation Committee and sponsoring the class and comp evaluation intended to help the District remain competitive as well as maintain consistent and fair practices with staff.
- Being a catalyst for stronger partnerships, which has resulted in enhanced relationships with the Seattle Housing Authority, City of Seattle, City Year, and promising exploration with the Seattle Public Libraries.? The historic Seattle Preschool Program, in partnership with the City of Seattle, is an example of the impact such partnerships can have on the lives of students.
- Supporting the funding of the Ruler program which provides many of our students and teachers with tools to support social and emotional growth.
- Directly or indirectly hiring several talented leaders at all levels of the organization, has helped stabilize critical departments such as the Department of Technology Services, Human Resources, School Community Partnerships, Student Civil Rights, and others..
I urge you to continue to take advantage of opportunities to share your questions, concerns, and best ideas during the discussions and decisions that lie ahead. Your input is both essential, and desired, as it will help our schools and central office function as a high-performing team focused on closing opportunity gaps and supporting the 52,000+ student journeys.
As you prepare to work with a new board, more closely with the community, and continue to work with one another to strengthen the system?s ability to support students, I encourage you to read the book The Trust Imperative by Stephen Hacker. Some of you may recall that I mentioned this book to you in September 2014.? It will be an excellent resource as you engage in intentional conversations about re-building trust where you believe it does not exist. The book offers insights and tools to help you understand and build trust across a spectrum of key elements including trust readiness, worthiness and willingness.
It has been an honor and a pleasure working with you to support our students.? I remain impressed with your talents, skills, creativity, resilience, and commitment to our community of schools and students; and I wish each of you continued success and happiness in the future.
There is much work to do before I leave. I appreciate your continued support.
Best regards,
Charles
The resignation adds to?an already stormy year for Seattle Public Schools, beginning with the teacher strike, the?abrupt departure of?Queen Anne Elementary’s principal, School Bell times, and?Dr. Nyland’s bonus.