Kudos to the LWSD, most recently under the leadership of Dr. Kimball, for the outstanding efforts, flexibility and educational system they provide. Our kids have attended Juanita Elementary and Finn Hill Junior High, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Having spent most of my 13 years of teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and being a product of that district myself, I know how much work teaching can be, and how destitute educational systems can get.
And I agree, for the most part with Dr. Kimball’s assessment that education is different today, in that we are more diverse in our backgrounds, and have more arenas our kids need to tackle. However, I find it interesting that the LWSD school board specifically voted against mentioning the possible reconfiguration of the junior and senior highs on the bond measure we will vote on in February. I believe the goal is to move to a 6-8 Middle School concept, and a 9-12 High School concept. It is my understanding that the board didn’t want to put all the specifics of the bond measure on the ballot because they know that parents, and many teachers, are not fully sold on the idea. Instead they use phrases like “make other capital improvements” and “relieving pressure in the elementary schools.” What I find fascinating is that, even in a discussion with one board member, it was very clear that the main reason for the configuration is coming from parents who want their kids to be able to play junior varsity and varsity sports in 9th grade. This group of parents apparently has been relentless in their pursuit.
Whatever happened to doing what’s best, educationally, for all the kids? And what about the honor and privilege we all felt when we finally made it to the junior varisty or varsity teams in 11th and 12th grade? Even putting the sports issue behind, I find it interesting that, here we are, LWSD being one of the best districts in the state, and one of only a few still using the junior high/senior high format, yet we want to change to be like the rest, who aren’t doing as well as we are. Does that make any sense? Why not stand tall, strong and proud and invite the rest of the state to step up to our model standards efforts and achievements?
Have a chat with some of the district’s teachers, too. Many of them have concerns about the extra work needed to accommodate the reconfiguration, and about how it will effect the students. Sixth grade teachers, especially, have concerns, because many are convinced that most of their 6th graders would not be ready for middle school. And no doubt, the high school teachers have concerns about the maturity levels, and cognitive abilities of the 9th graders, should they move up to high school. On top of that, some of the older teachers in the district have credentials/ endorsements that are only K-6. So where exactly do they go? Back down to 5th grade? Who gets displaced then? And if they are moved up to the middle school, they can’t “technically” teach 7th and 8th grade. Will the district offer to pay for further education for those teachers, costing the district money they are being so careful to spend wisely? Will this kind of reconfiguration push some of those experienced teachers into earlier-than-planned retirement? How very sad for all!
In the past, LWSD has been outstanding about gathering input from parents and teachers. With the realities of todays economy, and current financial struggles, I wonder if the board has taken inventory of the teachers and administrators who would be involved in the huge undertaking that reconfiguration is, and whether or not they have given those educators the opportunity to share their concerns and voice their opinions It crosses my mind, too, as to why the push to do this now, when things in our state, and our nation, are in such financial upheaval?
If overcrowded schools is one consideration, what about re-drawing the lines to make school enrollments more equal? That seems much more cost efficient to me, especially at this particular time.
Here’s another aspect: Can our High School campuses actually accommodate another whole grade level of students? It’s my understanding that the new Lake Washington High School campus is built to accomodate its current numbers, and if we reconfigure, there would need to be more buildings added. And the ballot statement itself says the bond will “make additions to Redmond High School and Eastlake High School…AND MAKE OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS…” Both of these schools are fairly new, and are not overcrowded with the current 10-12 configuration. (The reconfiguration at the Jr. High/Middle School level wouldn’t have as much of a problem because it would go from 3 grade levels to 3 grade levels…) So far, LWSD has done an excellent job of rebuilding to update the schools that are in need of modernization, and many more are in the works. Certainly, as they draw up the plans to rebuild Juanita High School, and FHJH, they are looking towards a building and campus that accommodates more students. That’s very forward looking, and simple common sense.
At a time in our nation,and especially, our state, when financially we are in a HUGE PIT, why would we spend ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY on reconfiguration? Many Americans, and no doubt Washingtonians, are feeling the money crunch, and will not be interested in giving MORE money to education. In my opinion, this is not the time to spend the money, the time and the effort to reconfigure the whole system. Money is tight. Families are struggling. The rest of the nation’s housing market has fallen apart. For now, our housing market is holding its own. But, history says that our housing sales market will drop in time, and so will the job market, and suddenly this area will be in the dire straits most of the rest of the nation is in. Look nationally and see how the trend goes. And carefully read the FACTS postcard that arrived in the mail from LWSD today. If both Levies and the Bond measure pass, our yearly “dues” would be $1,618.00, just for the first year. Carefully worded at the bottom is “The increase in cost from 2010 to 2011 is less than $15 A MONTH! (Tricky, huh? $15 times 12 months is $180, bringing our grand total “dues”, just for 2011, to approximately $1,798.00, a year, and THAT’S LOT OF MONEY TO ME!!!!!)
LWSD has been a wonderful steward of my money so far, and my children’s education. I’ve been very pleased. But I am NOT a supporter of RECONFIGURATION! I am a strong supporter of LWSD, and am grateful that when we moved here 12 years ago, we happened to land where we did. But I have to VOTE NO for this BOND MEASURE. I’m not sure it’s what is best for the students, the teachers, the district or our money right now. Let’s stay AHEAD in our education and spend our money and energy doing what we do best, not on lots of moving, re-working and shuffling.
Tobi Ellis, Juanita
