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Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn suspends teaching certificate of Michael Moulton

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - September 02, 2010

Michael Moulton, the Morton teacher who spent 16 days in the Lewis County Jail after being convicted of inappropriately touching four middle-school aged girls, has had his teaching certificate suspended by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.

According to news reports, Dorn elected suspension of the certificate over revocation because a suspension is for a three-year period, while a teacher who has had a certificate revoked can request reinstatement after a one-year period of time.

Moulton has 30 days in which to appeal the suspension. In the meantime, he is no longer permitted to teach classes in Morton or anywhere else in the state of Washington.

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Washington Federation of State Employees please take note - then follow suit

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - September 02, 2010

Negotiations between Washington state and the Washington Federation of State Employees, among other unions, over a new contract continue with the big issue - really, the only issue - being health care costs. LibertyLive.org has been keeping a close eye on those talks.

On Thursday comes this Associated Press story that should, but probably won't, toss some cold water on the howling we've heard from WFSE, et al, over the state's request to hike the employee portion of health care premium cost from 12 to 26 percent.

From the article:

"Researchers found that businesses still pay at least 70 percent of the total premium, on average, for their workers. But they're asking workers to chip in more, and that goes beyond increasing the premium contribution.

'The coverage that employees get is looking less and less like the coverage that their parents used to get,' (Kaiser Family Foundation CEO Drew) Altman said.

A growing percentage of workers are covered by health insurance that requires them to pay a deductible of $1,000 or more before most coverage starts. The increase is most striking with smaller companies, where 46 percent of workers are enrolled in high-deductible plans, up from 16 percent in 2006."

So, even at 74 percent employer-paid premium levels, the WFSE-represented state workers will be better off than the average American worker.

Sometimes it's best to know when you're well off. To paraphrase the old saw, I cried when they asked me to pay more for my health coverage until I met a man who had none at all because he lost his job due to his employer leaving the state because of its unconscionable tax burden. Just a thought.

The Piper

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New story on iLearnProject.com

Posted by Diana Cieslak - September 01, 2010

Be sure to check out the latest Pioneer Profile on www.iLearnProject.com. Meet Ryan Fox, a

bright and dedicated 11th grader who has special learning needs due to autism. Ryan's parents had tried everything, but in spite of the local school's best efforts -- Ryan wasn't learning.

Online public school has exceeded their expectations, meeting Ryan's learning needs, allowing him to get a phenomenal education, AND giving him the flexibility to pursue his passion: music.

This story features a letter by Ryan's mom, describing the importance of online learning.

The iLearn Project promotes public online learning and defends every student’s right to access it. We explore the future of online education and tell the powerful success stories of online learners like Ryan—stories of second chances, changed lives, and brighter futures.

For more information visit www.iLearnProject.com.

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The Piper's foolproof economic Index of Restaurant Table Availability

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - September 01, 2010

When it comes to judging the performance of the economy there are more indicators out there than Carter has pills. You've got your Consumer Price Index, housing starts, the unemployment rate, the Gross Domestic Product, the stock market, the money supply and something called the Consumer Leverage Ratio.

Nice, but boring. This consumer always finds prices too high, and I have a house, so I could care less about starting another one. I'm working steady (for the moment), and mine is the only job I focus on. Most domestic products are pretty gross, the stock market has hosed me enough and my supply of money is always pitiful.

And I really don't want to get into the nitty-gritty details of how many levers are distributed among consumers, nor do I care.

But here's something about which I do care, and I find it to be a perfect indicator of current and future economic performance: The Piper's Index of Restaurant Table Availability (patent pending).

Want to know how things are doing? Go to an upper-middle to upper-scale dining establishment on

a Friday or Saturday night and ask to be seated...without having a reservation. Especially if the joint is on somebody's must-be-seen-at list, your ability to get in without a wait, let alone a reservation, is clear evidence that the ol' economy is in the dumper.

Of course, I'm not the only one who's glommed onto this idea - I'm simply the only one on LibertyLive.org writing about it.

The Table Availability Index is a corollary to my award winning Retail Bankruptcy Prediction Model that was developed a few years ago out of an intensive review of the floors at the Southcenter Frederick & Nelson. Those of you who are unfamiliar with Frederick & Nelson are living proof that (1) my theory was flawless since the store is history, and (2) there are too many carpetbaggers in the Pacific Northwest.

You can predict the imminent demise of a retail establishment by looking at the floors in the place. If they're clean and well maintained, things are copacetic. If they're dirty and showing obvious signs of wear to the point of desperately needing replacement, then watch for the going-out-of-business sale. The model was validated a few years ago at the Kirkland, Wash. Larry's Market, which soon found itself down and out and replaced by a G.I. Joe's , which itself went toes up about a year and a half ago. Never fails...

I haven't had to wait to get a table at a restaurant for pushing two years - heck, I don't even bother with reservations anymore since making them in this economy is a sign of weakness. And look at the

patrons: are they party-hearty, or are they hardly ordering? If you see entrees only, then you know folks are cutting back. The absence of appetizers, cocktails, wine and other menu add-ons on the table will tell you that, while the diner is dining, he's not ordering the big-margin menu items that add to the restaurant's profit and boost the server's gratuity.

Check the advertising circulars that come to your house or are printed on the back of your

grocery store receipt. Are you seeing more and more two-for-one coupons and early-bird specials - from higher-end places that you least expect offer such promotions? Bet you are...

Nothing is more sensitive to economic fluctuation than eating out. Of course, there are always those who will do it no matter what - dining on the cuff courtesy of Mr. VISA is an option. Then again...so is bankruptcy. But for the rest of us, it's an instant and sure-fire indicator of how things really are doing at the center of your universe.

The Piper's Index of Restaurant Table Availability - Trust me...it works, and it's foolproof. And it's telling me that this economy is in the dumper and heading even further down. Eat well, my friends - it's a long time until supper!

The Piper

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More Evidence Raising Taxes in a Lousy Economy is a Bad Idea

Posted by Brett Davis - August 31, 2010

Our neighbors in the Beaver State continue to demonstrate that raising taxes during a down economy may not be the way to go. A recent story on OregonLive.com details how the predicted collections from Measure 66—an income tax on the rich approved by voters i

n January—aren’t living up to expectations. According to the story, “…Oregon government would bring in less than $300 million for tax years 2009 and 2010 from the retroactive higher taxes, instead of the $472 million that had been estimated before the election.”

Assuming you’re a Washington state resident, you’re saying to yourself, “So what? I live in Washington. What do I care about taxes in a state where you’re not allowed to pump your own gas?” Good question.

Here’s why: This November, voters in Washington state will face their own version of Oregon’s Measure 66, the high-earner income tax that is Initiative 1098. What are the chances it, too, won’t bring in as much money as anticipated? If Oregon is any indication, I-1098 will hardly be a cure all for our state’s budget problems.

Backers of the proposed income tax claim it will remove volatility from Washington’s revenue system, smoothing out the effects of economic boom and busts cycles on state coffers. Unfortunately, the evidence does not support this claim. Forty-three states have income taxes, and with the exception of a few, all of them are facing budget deficits and long-term unfunded liabilities.

Another taxing similarity between Oregon and Washington: public sector unions for such tax hikes and businesses against them. The OregonLive.com story notes that state workers represented by unions are getting a 4.75 percent “step increase” today, even though Gov. Ted Kulongoski requested unions give up their step increases. Guess what the unions said? If you answered “No,” give yourself a pat on the back. In addition, all state workers had to take furloughs and got no cost-of-living raises.

Washington state workers are—to the chagrin of their unions—also dealing with furloughs and no cost-of-living raises during these difficult economic times. State employee unions in Washington are also balking at the notion of state workers paying more than 12 percent of their health insurance premiums.

Nobody is saying Measure 66 can be blamed for all of Oregon’s budget problems, but it doesn’t seem to have helped.

Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt is quoted in the OregonLive.com article as saying, “In hindsight, voters did the right thing in approving Measure 66. Our revenue picture would be quite a bit worse without those dollars, and that would mean even deeper cuts to schools, seniors and vulnerable Oregonians.”*

Is that what we’ll hear out of state leaders in Washington if voters approve I-1098, and it fails to help plug next year’s estimated $3 billion—at least—budget deficit?

*This kind of sounds like President Obama’s hollow claim that the “stimulus” prevented even more job losses than the country has already experienced. How do you measure the number of “saved” jobs?

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Judge rules public employee drug and alcohol testing results are exempt from disclosure

Posted by Mike Reitz - August 31, 2010

A judge has ruled that the Washington State Department of Transportation does not have to disclose the drug and alcohol testing results of several Washington State Ferries employees.

On August 30, 2009, the Washington State Ferries vessel M/V Wenatchee collided into its landing dock, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage and one passenger injury. The Evergreen Freedom Foundation requested investigative records related to the incident. The Department of Transportation provided numerous records, but redacted information related to the drug and alcohol testing of the ferry crew, citing a federal regulation (49 C.F.R. § 40.321).

The Freedom Foundation sued to obtain the redacted information. The Public Records Act requires agencies to provide records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Exemptions can be found in the PRA or in other statutes. The case involved a unique issue: whether a federal administrative regulation (which is not a statute) qualifies as an exemption under the Public Records Act.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Paula Casey ruled that the regulation cited by the Department of Transportation prohibits the release of testing results, and that this regulation fell within the “other statute” exemption of the Public Records Act.

At this point we are evaluating our options for appeal. We believe the public deserves to know the details about an accident involving a state-operated ferry vessel. Our concern is that allowing agencies to withhold records based on administratively-created regulations blows a huge hole in Public Records Act.

Click here for more information about the case.

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When teacher's-rights push comes to parental-anger shove: Morton School District and Michael Moulton

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - August 31, 2010

Morton, WA is a little town of not much over 1,000 in population sitting just outside of the boundary of Mt. Rainier National Park at the junction of State Route 7 and U.S. Highway 12. Mostly known as an old logging town, it now has become the poster community for an essential frustration in modern day education: getting rid of a rotten teacher.

The story is that teacher Michael Moulton, pictured right, was convicted of inappropriately

touching four female students in 2008. For this, he served 16 days in the Lewis County Jail. The small Morton School District initially suspended Moulton without pay and then sought to fire him for the incident. Moulton, who was a history and study skills teacher to kids in grades 6-8, appealed the termination.

A hearing officer heard his appeal and ruled that he should be reinstated because the district had already punished him by suspending him so it couldn't then turn around and fire him too.

Parents hit the roof. Yesterday was the first day of school in Morton, and they were out in force protesting his reinstatement and demanding his dismissal. From button-down types to longhairs, they were of one mind and one voice.

As for Moulton, he called in sick.

Most of the time the debate over education in this country centers on complex issues of teacher evaluations, merit pay, charter schools and the like. But when push comes to shove, what parents want - I am one, so I know - is a safe, non-threatening environment in which to entrust your children and where they will receive the highest quality basic education possible.

If you can't have that, none of the rest of the other stuff matters.

The Moulton-ball is now in the hands of the state's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction where an investigation is underway to determine whether the state should suspend or revoke his teaching credentials. Of course, if the OSPI's office so decides he can always appeal that decision. But at least it's a start.

In the meantime, parents seethe that their kids aren't safe. The district is caught between the rock and the hard place. And Moulton smiles all the way to the bank.

Consider the dilemma that this case illustrates: If a school district cannot get rid of a teacher who has been convicted of inappropriately touching several students, how in the name of John Dewey will it ever be able to get rid of a teacher who is guilty of merely being an absolutely awful teacher?

Hazarding a guess, I would say that, when faced with something like this, parents are by and large unimpressed with much of the jargon and mumbo jumbo that passes for why-Johnnie-can't-read excuses and purported remedies. It would be nice if they could send their kids to school without fear of them getting groped.

Whoever came up with the process that allows a guy like Moulton to stay on the job ought to be forced to send his kids to study under him. If it's a union contract issue, then maybe it's time to re-evaluate union contracts in schools. If it's a law that requires it, then the words of Charles Dickens apply: "If the law supposes that, the law is a ass-a idiot."

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Powerful ideas: Thomas Friedman "gets" education reform

Posted by Marsha Michaelis - August 30, 2010

The powerful words of Victor Hugo (reportedly written in his diary the night he died) have been coming to mind a lot lately as I follow various education reform issues: "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come."

It appears people on both sides of the ideological and political spectrum are beginning to embrace some important and common sense education ideas. Ideas like: treating teachers like professionals by hiring and paying them based on the results they achieve in the classroom; expecting parents to engage in their children's education; ending the policies and power of interest groups that exist to serve adults over kids; empowering families with more excellent educational choices; etc.

A recent column by New York Times writer Thomas L. Friedman (author of the well-known book "The World is Flat") is the latest to cause a stir among education reformers. "He gets it!" is the excited buzz. And indeed, it seems he does. In his review of a soon-to-be-released documentary about public education called Waiting for Superman he writes:

It is intolerable that in America today a bouncing bingo ball should determine a kid’s educational future, especially when there are plenty of schools that work and even more that are getting better. This movie is about the people trying to change that. The film’s core thesis is that for too long our public school system was built to serve adults, not kids. For too long we underpaid and undervalued our teachers and compensated them instead by giving them union perks. Over decades, though, those perks accumulated to prevent reform in too many districts. The best ones are now reforming, and the worst are facing challenges from charters.

It's worth reading Friedman's whole column.

Oh, and by the way, the documentary was directed by David Guggenheim, who also directed Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth." Not someone you'd think of as likely to support the kinds of education reforms the Freedom Foundation has been advocating for years.

Like Hugo said, it's hard to stop an idea whose time has come.

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The Seattle Education Association's 2010 contract strategy: Stupid Negotiating Tricks

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - August 30, 2010

Naming the Seattle Education Association’s 2010 labor relations strategy requires extending apologies to late-night comic David Letterman. When it comes to Stupid Negotiating Tricks, SEA has cornered the market.

The strategy for Seattle Public Schools, however, appears to be focused on ignoring insults and vituperation, bargaining toward making progress in specific areas and, contrary to last year, providing unprecedented access to the media.

The union’s tactics were on display recently at a fizzled rally at the Seattle Public School District

headquarters office followed by a near-hysterical rantathon directed at members of the school board during the public testimony period of the board’s regular meeting.

Estimated by Seattle police at 75, attendance at the rally grew to maybe 100. That number paled in comparison to a similar event 14 months ago at the school district headquarters in Seattle’s industrial area. For the most part, the rally consisted of picketers marching through the parking lot and along the sidewalk carrying signs that read “Historic Change Now” with a few wearing

assorted funny hats.

SEA president Olga Addae tried to motivate her troops by describing the union as one of the most progressive labor organizations anywhere. King County Labor Council Executive Secretary Dave Freiboth anemically talked up the affiliation Seattle teachers had with organized labor. He said it was a matter of “respect.”

Among the assembled faithful was Ken Berry, 60, a special education instructional assistant and member of the SEA, who said that the school district is going in the wrong direction.

“All they do is rubber-stamp the superintendant,” he said.

“The so-called ‘disaster’ in education – worrying about whether Johnny can read – is a fake,” he said. How can things be so bad when there has been unprecedented growth in the economy and technology all the while the state of the country’s educational health has been condemned, he asked?

Berry said that he was against the school district’s contract proposal that includes merit pay. People shouldn’t be paid differently because of how someone else measures their performance, he said. There are no incompetent teachers, just teachers who are not performing as well as they could, he said.

Scornfully critical of tests generally and of the use of them to measure teacher performance, he said that seniority was the only just way to determine who should stay and who should be let go when it came time for a reduction in force. “If you want the highest quality performance and results, you won’t get them through tests,” he said.

Berry said he was working in support of a recall of five school board members, and he would go out on strike to resist having to accept the board’s contract proposals, which he said aren’t supported by parents and citizens despite what polling results from Our Schools Coalition that found strong parent and taxpayer support for much of the district’s position..

The Our Schools Coalition represents 33 groups and either current or former city-wide elected officials all with strong interest in education.

According to the district, the proposal, entitled Support, Empower, Recognize and Value Educators (SERVE), features a voluntary four-tier evaluation system for teacher performance that includes, but does not exclusively rely upon, student test scores. A teacher can elect to participate, and, if she does, she receives an immediate one-percent pay increase.

Other SERVE features include large blocks of collaborative time for teachers and staff, additional career opportunities, remedial help for struggling teachers, financial incentives to attract strong teachers to lower-performing schools and more.

District officials involved in the negotiations go out of their way to put a positive light on them with one saying that he remained “hopeful and somewhat optimistic.” The official said that they will continue to bargain in good faith and that he was hopeful that school would start on time.

Other district officials refused to criticize the union’s proposals or leadership despite being subjected to seething criticism from a long line of union officials and teachers at a recent meeting of the school board. In off-the-record conversations with several of them, they were united in expressing a desire to develop and implement systems to consistently measure academic growth. While they said they believed that they were making progress at the table, the also expressed some frustration with the process in face of what they saw was the pressing need to make progress.

Given Washington state’s recent poor showing in national competition for a $250 million federal Race to the Top education grant, that frustration looks to be well placed since a lack of progress in many of the areas on the district’s agenda came in for severe criticism from application adjudicators.

Bargaining for a new contract continued throughout the weekend in anticipation of the September 8 start of school in Seattle. Sources say that the district and the union are hung up on the issue of using test scores as one means of measuring teacher performance.

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Economists predict Initiative 1098 would devastate job growth

Posted by Amber Gunn - August 26, 2010

Economists at the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University found the state income tax that is proposed in Initiative 1098 would lengthen and deepen the current economic downturn by destroying private sector jobs, reducing residents’ disposable income and prolonging the state’s high unemployment rate.

In November, voters will be asked to weigh in on this initiative that would reshape the state’s tax structure with the introduction of a state income tax. At the request of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, economists at the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University used its Washington State Tax Analysis Modeling Program (WA-STAMP) to analyze the effects I-1098 would have on the state economy.

Economists found that by 2013, I-1098’s tax changes would lead to:

· A loss of more than 61,000 private sector jobs

· An increase in the state’s long-term projected unemployment rate from 6.7percent to 7.9 percent

· A reduction in real disposable income of more than $2.5 billion, or $149 per capita

· A reduction in certain state and local tax collections (such as the sales tax) due to the economic damage inflicted by an income tax

Read the Beacon Hill study online.

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