As a parent I have found that personal involvement with my children's
education helps more than anything the schools provide. The poor
teachers are restricted by so many foolish requirements that are
imposed upon them or required by them to protect themselves, it's
little wonder anyone can get much accomplished. The classrooms
are crowded with unqualified students whose parents are not involved.
This causes the continuous shuffling of unqualified students through
the system which must stop. Only then teachers can teach a homogenous
group that can keep pace and learn efficiently and effectively.
The state is mandated to fund education but continues to under-fund
the basics, so we as dedicated parents are forced to tax ourselves
to get the limited value out of the public schools. We need our
legislators to fully fund education first!
Al Nelson
Kingston
We moved to Washington a year ago for my
husband's new tech job. We were pleased to move to such a beautiful
and progressive state. However, we are shocked at the low level
of funding in our public schools. I have a first- and fifth-grader
and they were about one year ahead of their classes upon moving
here. Their (new) classes are way too large. There are not enough
buses for the district so that my kids start school late in the
morning when they have already been awake about two hours. With
such a vibrant economy, why doesn't this state value education
more and fund it fully? After all, our children are our future."
Patricia Betz
Bothell
I am the mother of a second grader and a two year old. My family
just moved to Washington due to the military and I was shocked
when I started seeing the work that my son brought home from school.
He was bringing home the same work that he had done in Kindergarten
and 1st grade. He actually laughed at his spelling words stating
that he did those in Kindergarten. His teacher is doing everything
she can to keep him challenged, but with 22 other children in
the class I can't expect her to devote a lot of time just to my
child. I worry about him not learning for the next half year to
year before new material is introduced to him and that he will
learn his love for learning due to being bored. I'm saddened that
Washington legislation does not realize how important our children
are and how important their education is.
Dawn Hamrick
Silverdale
I voted for the last education levy, which passed, only to have
the state make cuts in the State Budget that completely wiped
out any increased funding for public education. I was very upset
about the cuts and felt betrayed by our state lawmakers. In fact,
I was pretty mad.
I almost always vote for local school levies, and feel that money
spent on education is of primary interest to our country.
I am from a family of teachers and know all the extra hours they
have put into their schools. Unfortunately, our daughter who is
an elementary teacher is in the process of changing occupations.
After 10 years of failed levies, increases in class size and lack
of support she is disillusioned.
Washington children have lost a good teacher.
Susan Coddington
Chehalis
I am the parent of a high-schooler and a first-grader and it
amazes me how behind the state of Washington is. We are active-duty
military that moved here two years ago. When my son came home
from school that first day he said, "look mom, this is the
same book I had two years ago." Of course that concerned
me right away. The following school year he was in an English
class that had 45 students in it and not enough desks for them
to use. Most of the students shared seats or sat on the floor.
I have never been exposed to a place that seems to take education
so lightly. The sad thing that I have experienced with my son
is the lack of drive that he once had. I feel this is due to the
lack of resources to keep him challenged and interested. I feel
that the teachers are doing the best they can but when they don't
have desks and are using curricula that is old, how can our children
be expected to show what they have learned. I am a member of two
PTAs and represent one as a legislative chair in hopes that I
can convince our legislators to realize that our children are
the most precious resource we have. If we do not fund education
fully NOW, then what chances will our children have in the future?
Tammy Walker
Spanaway
I'm concerned about the amount of money that goes into building
a new district office when our teachers and students are getting
inadequate funding. I think it is great the way businesses and
parents are pulling together to help this situation; however,
the funding needs to be brought back to the schools from the state
and federal programs.
Our students need to have more hands-on learning and it shouldn't
cost me $60 extra a month, plus additional taxes to supply this
to my child. We are failing our children. We are choosing to let
this happen. Let's stand together and tolerate this no longer.
Denise Rodriguez
Bothell
Find out more by e-mailing: gbafia@washingtonea.org
or call 800-622-3393, Ext. 7077.
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