a failure to communicate: Rainier Beach High School and the TAF

A well-intentioned educational foundation approaches the Seattle School District, hoping to replace Rainier Beach High School with a souped-up, futuristic academy. Teachers vote no. When the foundation returns with a slight variation on the plan, a major gaffe occurs:

The district has been in discussions with the foundation for the past year but had not told the community....

[TAF Executive Director Trish] Dziko faced a tough audience at the Rainier Beach Community Center. There was shouting and, at one point, the PTSA president walked out with dozens of students. Dziko traced some of the anger to the community's feeling toward the district.

"I think it's going to take a lot for people to get to the point where people believe the district is trying to do the right thing," she said.

As anyone who's ever been in a bad relationship knows, words hurt, but silence hurts worse.