Fellow Chief Sealth Alumni and community,
As a former student (class of ’78), current educator (30 years at Sealth, more than any other person in the building), community member, parent of a former Sealth student and member of the Building Leadership Team, I have some disappointing and serious news to share with you about our school.
The Budget Committee, a group of 15 teachers, are in the process of making a decision to eliminate the last shop class at Chief Sealth. This proposal is coming from a principal with only three years of experience at our school and not from our community.
We have less than two weeks to make this decision and there is no plan to get our community’s input. The wood shop was downsized by the District in our remodel six years ago that combined us with Denny Middle School. Although many more students request wood shop, due to its current configuration, it can only serve 16 students per class period. Although this capacity could be increased by at least 6-8 students a class by removing a wall increasing the teachers ability to monitor and supervise safely, the principal has made a unilateral decision that we don’t need this program.
Only our Chief Sealth community can stop this. I feel because of my unique position and love of our school, alumni and history, I feel I have the responsibility to inform you of this issue. A few staff members and I are willing to fight this issue from the inside, if we know enough of you have my back. We have only two weeks my friends. Where do you stand?
Sincerely,
Delfino Munoz
dmunoz@seattleschools.org
Delfinomunoz@gmail.com
