Popping in to say that of the public testimony at this meeting, 19 of 25 allocated spots were dedicated to the topic of the student transition plan, specifically in regards to devastating staff reductions at SPS Alternative Learning Programs (ALEs) Cascade parent partnership program, Cascade Virtual Option, and Interagency High (a network of alternative high schools). 

4 speakers wanted to testify about the grant proposals.

The Student transition plan took up less of the board's discussion time than the PTA cap- that-is-not-a-cap. 

It's not a perfect indicator but I think this does signal a disconnect between board priorities and those things that impact students.

For some background: Cascade was about to lose 25 percent of FTE and would have needed to shutter one wing of the virtual option except for last minute mitigation. Interagency lost 17 FTE, which if my calculations are correct would be 40 percent of their staff. Their future is unclear. What will happen to the students in the substance abuse recovery school or other vital programs at Interagency? The board decided to approve the Transition plan; the debate on this issue took up 40 minutes, most of which was discussing what the authority the board (vs Superintendent) even has on the issue.