3 finalists compete to become Seattle schools chief
SEATTLE - The race to become Seattle's next school superintendent is in its final stretch, with three finalists vying for the top job.
Sandra Husk is currently the superintendent in Salem, Ore. - a district similar in size to Seattle, with similar issues.
Like the Emerald City, Salem also faced a budget shortfall - and a wide disparity in its top- and bottom-performing schools.
Husk said she dealt with the problem by "working with my colleagues across the state of Oregon to come up with what we call a vision for the state."
She added, "Seattle should be a leader in the state, and I've had experience there."
Husk also says her record proves she can lower the dropout rate in Seattle.
The second finalist, Jose Banda, is the superintendent in Anaheim, Calif., where 60 percent of the students learn English as a second language.
Banda says his experience would help him in the multilingual Seattle district.
"A lot of the approaches, a lot of the strategies and outreach to the communities are very similar with any language," he says.
The third finalist, Steven Enoch, says Seattle needs to tackle its "achievement gap" between students.
He says even though Seattle is a successful urban district, there are definitely disparities - particularly between north-end and south-end schools.
"We need to be open and honest about it and acknowledge how difficult the challenge is," Enoch says. "But we are not throwing in the towel or giving up on kids. I've never done that in my career."
Enoch had been thinking of retiring but says he'd like to serve in an urban district.
The Seattle School District is expected to make its decision sometime this coming week.
Sandra Husk is currently the superintendent in Salem, Ore. - a district similar in size to Seattle, with similar issues.
Like the Emerald City, Salem also faced a budget shortfall - and a wide disparity in its top- and bottom-performing schools.
Husk said she dealt with the problem by "working with my colleagues across the state of Oregon to come up with what we call a vision for the state."
She added, "Seattle should be a leader in the state, and I've had experience there."
Husk also says her record proves she can lower the dropout rate in Seattle.
The second finalist, Jose Banda, is the superintendent in Anaheim, Calif., where 60 percent of the students learn English as a second language.
Banda says his experience would help him in the multilingual Seattle district.
"A lot of the approaches, a lot of the strategies and outreach to the communities are very similar with any language," he says.
The third finalist, Steven Enoch, says Seattle needs to tackle its "achievement gap" between students.
He says even though Seattle is a successful urban district, there are definitely disparities - particularly between north-end and south-end schools.
"We need to be open and honest about it and acknowledge how difficult the challenge is," Enoch says. "But we are not throwing in the towel or giving up on kids. I've never done that in my career."
Enoch had been thinking of retiring but says he'd like to serve in an urban district.
The Seattle School District is expected to make its decision sometime this coming week.
