Letter Archive

  • Teacher Alert! Do you really think the nightmare of high-stakes testing, teacher evaluation based on value-added measures, scripted curriculum, narrowed offerings, larger class sizes and lack of resources is going to go away on its own? Have you even heard of ALEC, Broad, DeVos, or Whitney Tilson? Are you aware that the rich and powerful want to privatize public education, end collective bargaining for teachers, cut back your pension, close schools and replace them with corporate owned charter schools and that they are doing it with the help of the US Department of Education? There is something you can do to take a stand. It is a small action, but it is significant, Thousands of teachers and parents have signed a letter to President Obama calling for an end to high-stakes testing and the punitive actions associated with them. The...

    Teacher Alert!

    Posted on April 10, 2012 | No Comments
    Teacher Alert! Do you really think the nightmare of high-stakes testing, teacher evaluation based on value-added measures, scripted curriculum, narrowed offerings, larger class sizes and lack of resources is going to go away on its own? Have you even heard of ALEC, Broad, DeVos, or Whitney Tilson? Are you aware that the rich and powerful want to privatize public education, end collective bargaining for teachers, cut back your pension, close schools and replace them with corporate owned charter schools and that they are doing it with the help of the US Department of Education? There is something you can do to take a stand. It is a small action, but it is significant, Thousands of teachers and parents have signed a letter to President Obama calling for an end to high-stakes testing and the punitive actions associated with them. The...

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  • This is an open letter from Washington State’s Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz: A Democrat For Education Count me as a Democrat opposed to the most strident elements of so-called Education Reform. Let me be clear that I am not opposed to high standards, high achievement, or accountability. What I reject is the culture of scapegoating teachers for the failures of society to protect families and kids, the hypocrisy of defunding schools while corporations bank record profits, and the focus on the latest fads instead of long term, structural improvements. Follow this link to read the entire letter: http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/washington-state-democratic-party-chairman-dwight-pelz-speaks-up-on-ed-reform/   For additional information about the issues addressed by Pelz follow this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017598267_dwight_pelz_ed_reform_is_like.html    

    Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz speaks up on ed reform

    Posted on February 29, 2012 | 1 Comment
    This is an open letter from Washington State’s Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz: A Democrat For Education Count me as a Democrat opposed to the most strident elements of so-called Education Reform. Let me be clear that I am not opposed to high standards, high achievement, or accountability. What I reject is the culture of scapegoating teachers for the failures of society to protect families and kids, the hypocrisy of defunding schools while corporations bank record profits, and the focus on the latest fads instead of long term, structural improvements. Follow this link to read the entire letter: http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/washington-state-democratic-party-chairman-dwight-pelz-speaks-up-on-ed-reform/   For additional information about the issues addressed by Pelz follow this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017598267_dwight_pelz_ed_reform_is_like.html    

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  • Concern about the MAP test is growing across Washington.

    Parent Chooses to Opt Out of MAP

    Posted on December 8, 2011 | 6 Comments
    Concern about the MAP test is growing across Washington.

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  • I simply disagree with their views.  Bob Valiant’s conclusions are based on facts available to anyone wanting to review district test scores.  World-class school district programs exist in the eye of the beholder.  I do agree that Kennewick’s teachers and staff are exceptional.  Let’s empower them to be the best they can be. You can see the letter and response at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/03/1703555/kennewick-schools-brooks-mabry.html  

    My Reply to Lee and Nancy Kerr

    Posted on November 3, 2011 | No Comments
    I simply disagree with their views.  Bob Valiant’s conclusions are based on facts available to anyone wanting to review district test scores.  World-class school district programs exist in the eye of the beholder.  I do agree that Kennewick’s teachers and staff are exceptional.  Let’s empower them to be the best they can be. You can see the letter and response at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/03/1703555/kennewick-schools-brooks-mabry.html  

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  • The misinformed views expressed in this letter to the Tri-City Herald required my response.  You can find the letter and response at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/02/1702195/kennewick-schools-brooks.html  

    My Reply to Patty Kessie

    Posted on November 3, 2011 | No Comments
    The misinformed views expressed in this letter to the Tri-City Herald required my response.  You can find the letter and response at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/02/1702195/kennewick-schools-brooks.html  

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  • My letter to the Tri-City Herald was published in today’s paper.  Among the many reasons I love living in the Tri-Cities, the Herald is one.  Over my 33 years living in Kennewick I have written half a dozen letters to the editor and all have been published.  How many other places is that likely to happen?  I believe citizen participation in civic affairs is essential to sustaining our quality of life and having a voice to the community through the paper is important.  This is a free service the Herald provides.  Because my letter was limited to 200 words there was much I did not say.  I would like to add that I also voted for Ron Mabry.  Among my associates there is concern that Mabry has aligned himself with Brian Brooks and Ben Messinger to form a new voting bloc...

    My Votes for Kennewick School Board

    Posted on November 1, 2011 | No Comments
    My letter to the Tri-City Herald was published in today’s paper.  Among the many reasons I love living in the Tri-Cities, the Herald is one.  Over my 33 years living in Kennewick I have written half a dozen letters to the editor and all have been published.  How many other places is that likely to happen?  I believe citizen participation in civic affairs is essential to sustaining our quality of life and having a voice to the community through the paper is important.  This is a free service the Herald provides.  Because my letter was limited to 200 words there was much I did not say.  I would like to add that I also voted for Ron Mabry.  Among my associates there is concern that Mabry has aligned himself with Brian Brooks and Ben Messinger to form a new voting bloc...

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  • Kennewick School Board Meeting      September 14, 2011    5:30 PM       Southgate Elementary School Board members present:  Dawn Adams, Lynn Fielding, Kathy White, Brian Brooks, Maricarmen Garcia                             Absent:  Heather Kintzley          Business: Many students participated in a silent protest of district student club policy.  See Jacques Von Lunen’s article in the Tri-City Herald for details: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/15/1641609/kennewick-school-board-to-revisit.html The board voted unanimously to waive Policy 1430 which does not allow the board to vote twice on the same issue in a calendar year.  This enables the board to reconsider its vote limiting student clubs’ access to district facilities.  Reconsideration will be September 28. School board candidate Uby Creek presented information to the board about some school board candidates electioneering on school campuses during school open houses.  This is in violation of Public Disclosure Commission guidelines.  The board took no action. The first reading of...

    Kennewick School Board Report for September 14

    Posted on September 19, 2011 | 2 Comments
    Kennewick School Board Meeting      September 14, 2011    5:30 PM       Southgate Elementary School Board members present:  Dawn Adams, Lynn Fielding, Kathy White, Brian Brooks, Maricarmen Garcia                             Absent:  Heather Kintzley          Business: Many students participated in a silent protest of district student club policy.  See Jacques Von Lunen’s article in the Tri-City Herald for details: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/15/1641609/kennewick-school-board-to-revisit.html The board voted unanimously to waive Policy 1430 which does not allow the board to vote twice on the same issue in a calendar year.  This enables the board to reconsider its vote limiting student clubs’ access to district facilities.  Reconsideration will be September 28. School board candidate Uby Creek presented information to the board about some school board candidates electioneering on school campuses during school open houses.  This is in violation of Public Disclosure Commission guidelines.  The board took no action. The first reading of...

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  • You, as campaign manager for Brian Brooks, candidate for Kennewick School Board position 5, wrote a letter in support of his appointment to the interim school board position which was published in the Tri-City Herald (9/13/2011).   While describing Brooks’ background and attributes you took a backhanded swipe at the educators who had applied for the interim position with your statement, “Brian is not a professional educator, as are others who wanted to be appointed to the board.  For citizens that’s a plus, not a detriment.” Given that you are an educator who served on the Kennewick School Board from 1977 to 1979, I am trying to understand your logic.

    Nancy Kerr, please help me understand.

    Posted on September 18, 2011 | 3 Comments
    You, as campaign manager for Brian Brooks, candidate for Kennewick School Board position 5, wrote a letter in support of his appointment to the interim school board position which was published in the Tri-City Herald (9/13/2011).   While describing Brooks’ background and attributes you took a backhanded swipe at the educators who had applied for the interim position with your statement, “Brian is not a professional educator, as are others who wanted to be appointed to the board.  For citizens that’s a plus, not a detriment.” Given that you are an educator who served on the Kennewick School Board from 1977 to 1979, I am trying to understand your logic.

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