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Seattle Public Schools (SPS) announced this week that it will contract with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) as part of the effort to rebuild public trust in the district, rocked by scandal in the last few years which culminated with the recent firing of Superintendent Marie Goodloe-Johnson.
"This partnership is a significant step forward in our commitment to rebuilding public trust in Seattle Public Schools," said Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield, Ed.D., in a district release. "The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission will provide an independent ethics and whistleblower protection program that district staff and community members can rely on. We look forward to developing the detailed agreement and implementing this new program Districtwide."
This week the district and commission signed a memorandum of understanding laying the framework for negotiating a detailed contract and defining the working relationship by the end of April. The memorandum states that the City's ethics office will independently receive and investigate complaints of violations of the District's ethics policy and manage complaints of retaliation against whistleblowers. The SEEC will also provide a comprehensive training program for District employees and review the District's ethics policy and recommend any revisions it deems appropriate.
"The SEEC has been an independent force for ethical, transparent City government for more than 30 years," SEEC Executive Director Wayne Barnett said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to partner with the School District to help them reestablish public confidence that district employees are serving the best interests of Seattle's students and families, and not their own interests." Barnett added.
"I applaud the new Superintendent and the School Board for taking this significant step toward creating a new culture of accountability at the School District," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
"The City's ethics commission and its staff are fair, thorough and rigorous in enforcing a high standard of behavior for all city employees," said Councilmember Tim Burgess, chair of the Council's Public Safety and Education Committee. "This is a superb tool the City can promptly share with the District. We will continue to look for other opportunities to collaborate in serving Seattle's children and families."
The negotiated agreement will be submitted to the City Council and the School District Board of Directors for final approval.
"I'm happy we've found a way to assist Seattle Public Schools," said Councilmember Sally J. Clark, chair of the Council committee to which the SEEC reports. "Once an agreement has been finalized, we will take it up in committee as quickly as possible."
