$250,000

How much is that an hour? That is a lot of money when they are closing schools to save money.


Schools name panel, adviser on closings

Seattle

The Seattle School Board on Wednesday night appointed an education consultant and a citizens committee that will play a major role in helping the district pick 12 schools to close in the 2007-2008 academic year.

The 14-member Community Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Ken Alhadeff, a longtime civic activist and real-estate investor, and Mona Bailey, former Seattle Public Schools deputy superintendent, will select four schools to close in the southeast area of the city, three each in the northeast and southwest, and two in the northwest.

The committee's closure list will be forwarded to the board and Superintendent Raj Manhas, who in July is expected to approve most if not all of its recommendations.

Wednesday night, the School Board agreed to spend up to $250,000 to pay California-based Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG) to help the volunteer committee analyze and interpret school enrollment, test scores and population projections up to 2014. The consultant also will poll neighborhoods and organize public meetings. Most of MIG's fees will be paid from private donors and businesses.