I love to see it!
Today in a 5-1 vote, the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors named Dr. Brent Jones the district's interim superintendent with Director Leslie Harris as the lone disapproving vote.
Dr. Jones (a Franklin High School and UW Alumni) will start no later than July 1, 2021, and he will serve as interim superintendent until June 30, 2022.
“This is a great outcome for SPS students and families. The selection of Dr. Jones brings needed stability and connectivity to Seattle Public Schools during this time of uncertainty and transition,” said Board President Chandra Hampson. “He is an experienced district leader with a proven track record supporting students, community and staff of color, while striving for overall operational excellence. It is a most critical set of skills at this difficult time.”
Dr. Brent Jones on his return to SPS:
“I want to thank the Seattle School Board for this opportunity to serve in this capacity and I look forward to working in deep partnership with families and staff to create the conditions for students to thrive – no matter the circumstances,” said Dr. Jones.
I’m excited to see what changes Dr. Jones will make, especially with Gerald Hankerson, President of the Alaska, Oregon, and Washington State Area Conference of the NAACP called out Juneau for not doing enough to address systemic racism in the school district "We have actually done an investigation as to why Juneau has been so resistant to African American concerns and we learned that before she left Montana to come and take the position as superintendent, she was under DOJ investigations for the exact same allegations with the Native American community in Montana,” says Hankerson.” I feel the Seattle School District did not do their due diligence to see exactly who they were bringing in as a hire for Superintendent and this person [Juneau] can no longer serve in the leadership role when it comes to the development of our Black and Brown kids in Seattle" said Hankerson.
Congrats on your new position Dr. Brent Jones and I hope to talk with you soon about your plans for Seattle Public Schools.