Issaquah schools hopeful has his say

The key to fixing the district's budget problems is getting the Legislature to increase education funding, Gary Cohn, candidate for Issaquah School District's top job, told community members Tuesday.

But he also supports raising levy lids so district voters can approve more funding for their schools, he said.

Cohn, superintendent for the Port Angeles School District, said this was an example of how he would change his tactics based on the community he's serving. In Port Angeles, raising levy lids doesn't help because the community can't afford higher taxes.

Cohn is one of two candidates the Issaquah School Board is considering to replace Superintendent Janet Barry, who retires in June. Parents and community members who attended Tuesday morning's open meeting with Cohn said afterward that they thought he was a "solid candidate" who was familiar with the area.

Cohn grew up on Mercer Island and taught at Northshore School District's Inglemoor High School from 1980 to 1986. He served in various administrative positions in the Lake Washington School District from 1986 to 1991 before becoming vice president at Lake Washington Technical College in 1991. He has been superintendent for Port Angeles since 2001. Cohn holds a doctorate in education and a master's degree in business.

During the session, Cohn answered questions about his views on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) and student assessments, preparing students for college or post-secondary training, and his experience and background as an educator and a district leader.

Cohn said there should be multiple ways of assessing students, but he believes the WASL is here to stay and that districts should prepare students to take it. He said schools should offer students a variety of curriculum to fit their needs and interests — including vocational training.

Cohn declined to answer questions specific to Issaquah schools, explaining he wasn't familiar enough with the situation to give an appropriate response. JoLynn Kovalsky, a parent with two children in the district, said she found Cohn refreshing.

"He didn't answer too quickly," Kovalsky said. "When he did answer something, he gave different options. It wasn't like, 'I'd do it this way, period.' "

Throughout the session, Cohn often would reframe questions he was asked to make sure he understood.

"That showed good listening skills," said Bill Werner, with the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Werner said he knew Cohn when Cohn worked for Lake Washington Technical College.

"He had a reputation as a tough negotiator but very bright," Werner said.

Those who have worked with him in Port Angeles describe Cohn as a "hands-on superintendent" who has a good relationship with the teachers association and parent leaders, and has reached out to the area's Native American community. WASL scores have increased overall during his tenure.

He has seen the district through some difficult times, including declining enrollment and the closure of an elementary school in 2005. A second elementary school is scheduled to be closed next year.

"There was a lot of discussion, a lot of task forces and focus groups about it," said Steve Methner, president of the Port Angeles Education Foundation. "It became clear once everyone had discussed it, it's heartbreaking to close an elementary school, but there really isn't a choice."

Issaquah parents also noted Cohn's focus on building consensus as part of the process for coming up with solutions.

"He's very dynamic and friendly," said Lynne Tucker, a parent of a middle-school student. "He's looking to open up the community. He wants to involve the community."

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com

Information in this article, originally published April 18, 2007, was corrected April 23, 2007. A previous version of this story gave incorrectly referred to the Port Angeles Education Foundation, of which Steven Methner is president, as the Port Angeles Education Association.