Olchefske report card: B+ with a D- in math
The Seattle School Board's marks for Superintendent Joseph Olchefske this year:
Overall performance: "Very good in most respects."
Finances: "Unsatisfactory."
This year's evaluation, in light of the district's $34 million financial crisis, lacked the high praise board members had showered on Olchefske in the past. Last year, for example, they rated his performance "excellent."
And, for the first time in Olchefske's tenure, the board voted on the document. The resolution passed 6-1, with the dissenting vote from Mary Bass, who also didn't support a Nov. 1 resolution in which the board expressed confidence in Olchefske's leadership.
Later, Bass said the evaluation wasn't critical enough. She isn't calling for Olchefske's resignation but said, "We've got to hold his feet to the fire and be more assertive and accountable for our own actions as well as his."
The board also voted 7-0 not to give Olchefske a raise, the first time in his four-year tenure he hasn't received one. He makes $175,000 a year, receives a $200-a-month health-club membership, a $1 million life-insurance policy and a car lease.
In general, the evaluation held few surprises, especially given the board's previous confidence-in-Olchefske vote. And it made some wonder whether it was part of the district's efforts at damage control.
"It sounds to me that the board is really trying to put Band-Aids on the public views of him," said Ballard High School teacher Angie Meiner-Gooding, referring to Olchefske.
"I think the board might be a little biased right now because it is trying to heal the damage done by the budget crisis."
Most of the board's criticism came, not surprisingly, in the financial arena.
This fall, the district realized it had a $34 million problem — a $22 million hole in last year's budget and a need to cut $12 million from this year's. The problem, attributed to miscalculations, mistakes and miscommunication, has thrown what the board called a "serious pall" over the district.
In its evaluation, board members said they "appreciate the superintendent's acceptance of responsibility and aggressiveness to diagnose the problem once he became aware of it." But it also criticized him for letting it happen.
"There can be no excuse for 'red flags' not being detected or pursued earlier," the document said.
The board said Olchefske must get more involved in the district's routine financial affairs, and it outlined a number of tasks for him, including attending the board's audit and finance committee meetings, and helping establish an ongoing audit of the district's books, either externally or internally.
It also said it expects the superintendent to develop a budget "that is understandable to the general public."
In other areas, board members said they were encouraged, but not satisfied, with the district's school-improvement effort (called "transformation"). And they said Olchefske needs more work in his communication with parents.
Some critics have said Olchefske has not listened and has made up his mind before getting input from parents, teachers or community members.
The negative reactions to the budget crisis are, "at least in part, symptomatic of the need for the superintendent to be more authentic in communicating with the public," the evaluation said.
The evaluation included some high marks, too. The board praised Olchefske for a "steady upward trend" in test scores and "excellent progress" in school safety and security. Board members said they are "pleased" with the growing breadth and depth of professional development.
Olchefske said he thought the evaluation "was fair and appropriate both in its positive statements and in its negative statements."
Board President Nancy Waldman said it was more than a slap on the wrist.
"I think it is a strong statement that this wasn't, and isn't, OK," she said, but added that "the progress toward our academic mission has been very satisfactory under Joseph's leadership."
Others questioned whether the evaluation might hurt some board members' re-election prospects. Four of the seven board seats will be on the ballot next November.
"I wonder about the political futures of these board members," said Deanna Chew-Freidenberg, a parent. "I don't think the public has any trust anymore in the district leadership."
Charles Triandafilou, who has two children in Seattle schools, said he had to give the School Board credit "for having that much guts."
Given the budget crisis, "How could he get a 'very good' overall?" Triandafilou asked. "It just doesn't make sense."
John Dunn, president of the Seattle Education Association, said the evaluation amounts to an improvement plan for Olchefske.
"They put some things in place for him to do, and he's going to have to do them," he said.
"They're going to have to follow through to restore confidence in both them and the superintendent."
Seattle Times staff reporter Keith Ervin contributed to this report.
Linda Shaw: 206-464-2359 or lshaw@seattletimes.com.