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| 10/14/2009 2:55:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Ron Morehouse and Ken Blair |
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| Bob Etteldorf and Marianne Lincoln |
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Two contests in Bethel School Board elections
by Bruce Smith
There are two school board elections in Bethel this year: incumbent Ken Blair is being challenged by Ron Morehouse in District One, while Marianne Scott Lincoln competes against Bob Ettledorf in District Three for the seat vacated by Susie Smith.
Although candidates must reside in the geographical territory of their districts, voters from throughout the Bethel School District may cast their ballots in both contests.
Blair vs. Morehouse
Blair and Morehouse are both calling for the ouster of Superintendent Tom Seigel, and for the same reasons: academics.
"Only about 30 percent of our students are achieving state standards in math," cited Blair.
Morehouse, owner of Quick-Care Medical in Graham, is more blunt: "The district's performance, particularly in science, sucks."
However, both candidates propose vastly different approaches to correct these problems.
Morehouse touts the removal of Seigel, as well as the banishment of the new WASL-replacement test, as prime ingredients for a restoration of educational excellence.
Morehouse also wants the district to do away with state-mandated graduation requirements, saying, "We should just let the teachers teach Ð they know their kids better than anyone down in Olympia."
Blair, a school board director for the past ten years, sees fundamental problems in how the district approaches education.
"The district needs to refocus on the kids," Blair said, adding that the district needs to require that students repeat grade levels if their learning is insufficient, and better screen children before they enter kindergarten.
"Not every kid is ready to start school, either physically, emotionally or mentally," he said.
Blair also wants the district to help parents assess their children's preparedness for their next step in education.
"We need to give our kids the help they need up front, and not pass them on if they're not ready Ð it'll pay dividends down the road," Blair said.
Lincoln vs. Etteldorf
Not only are Marianne Scott Lincoln and Bob Etteldorf former teachers, they are also former classmates from Bethel High, Class of '75.
As a career officer, Etteldorf developed the NCO and Officer Candidate School curricula for the Washington National Guard, and is now retired. Currently, he sees the high dropout rate of BSD students as the key problem facing the district. An estimated 30 percent of Bethel children do not graduate, which is also the state average, according to Governor Chris Gregoire.
"We need to level the playing field, particularly in junior high, and help all students succeed in school," Etteldorf said.
To achieve that goal, Etteldorf passionately calls for programs that will assist parents become more engaged in their children's education, and he suggests a variety of possible approaches. One would require families to attend periodic classes together, or to work on home-based projects together, such as recording their family's history and heritage.
"Keeping parents involved in their children's education is paramount," he said.
Lincoln, a contractor with MicroSoft and the campaign coordinator for former State Senator Marilyn Rasmussen, sees other needs. She is particularly concerned with maintaining a high standard of education in a district that has a wide range of incomes, ethnic backgrounds and culture.
"We need to keep our programs diverse, and not just focus on the WASL subjects like math, science and writing," Lincoln said. " Bethel has some great programs, and it is so easy to constrict them in times of tight budgets. We need to maintain what we have."
Lincoln touts her diverse talents to achieve that goal.
"I have the ability to put unusual projects together, such as fundraising and working to build community.
Lincoln is a co-founder of the Spanaway Community Action Network, and declared she was instrumental in the creation of a skate park at Sprinker Recreation Center and the building of a community center in Spanaway.
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