Seattle Drops Office of Equity, Race and Learning Support; Downsizes Teaching & Learning

Jessica Blanchard:

After four years and a number of embarrassing public-relations gaffes, Seattle Public Schools plans to cut its controversial Office of Equity, Race and Learning Support as part of a central office shake-up.

The move is part of the first phase of a staff reorganization aimed at saving money, helping departments collaborate more and better aligning resources with the goals in Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson's upcoming strategic plan.

The reorganization will go into effect in July and will merge some departments in the district's "learning and teaching" division, elevate some positions and combine others.

About 15 managers and other staff members in the district's "learning and teaching" division will lose jobs, but can apply for other district work, including nine new positions.

Though the Office of Equity, Race and Learning Support will be eliminated, its responsibilities will be transferred to other departments, district spokeswoman Patti Spencer said Thursday. "The district's dedication to this work remains as strong as ever," she said.

Related: "When Policy Trumps Results".

Diversity on Affirmative Action for Law Schools by Bryan Atwater.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 10, 2008 11:00 AM
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