"Somebody needs to lighten up!"

How's school going?

We're having trouble comprehending our math marketing

Editor, The Times:

Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson's characterization of the problems with our state's K-12 math curriculum couldn't be more wrong ["Math 'course correction' coming," Times, Local News, Oct. 13]. As is now the familiar response of ideologically driven public officials, she seeks to blame someone else for the abject failure of her system of math education. She wants to blame us parents.

But the problem isn't parents' lack of familiarity with mathematics. Many parents in this area are engineers and scientists who make daily use of advanced mathematics. We complain about the math education our children receive and join organizations like "Where's the Math?" not because we need it explained to us, but because it makes no sense. These are essentially the conclusions that the State Board of Education's (SBE) own math panel recently released.

And yet, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is right now working to subvert education reform in our state by excluding mathematicians, scientists, engineers and parents, and hiring a consultant with a clear conflict of interest — a consultant deeply involved in developing and promoting the same failed "fuzzy math" that SBE's panel was so critical of.

It's time parents demand that our education system prepare our children for college and mathematics-intensive careers here in Washington — that the Legislature put people in charge who care more about educating children than promoting failed ideologies.

— Michael Stiber, Kenmore

We're getting geography

It was with great interest and a spark of hope that I read that our new Seattle Public Schools superintendent, Maria Goodloe-Johnson, guarantees a place next fall for every student in his or her own local school ["Seattle schools changing course," Local News, Oct. 15, and "How many words in this story? Read on," Local News, Oct. 16].

As a longtime Seattle resident whose two children have both been denied placement in the high school within walking distance, I will wait to see if Goodloe-Johnson can speedily correct the bizarre and unfair mess that our admissions system has become, particularly in time for next year's assignments.

My youngest will be a senior next year. It would be nice to be able to partake of my own tax dollars for just one year, as private-school tuition for K-12 has been approximately $90,000 per child.

I sincerely wish the best to our new superintendent and to her back-to-basics ideas. What a concept! To be able to go to your own neighborhood school!

— Carol Lundemo, Seattle

Teacher posed a moral dilemma

The Bethel School District knowingly hires a teacher who has a suspension for pornography viewing and who is then caught within a few scant months doing the same, using the district server. In its infinite wisdom, the district answers the red flag with some bogus training instead of firing him on the spot ["125 Washington teachers punished for sexual misconduct over 5 years," Local News, Oct. 21].

This lackadaisical reaction undoubtedly led to the opportunity for the "teacher's" inappropriate sexual relationships with teenage students.

Whoever hired, counseled and virtually condoned this tragedy should be fired from education forever, including the principal, human-resources department and those involved within the Bethel Education Association.

— Marianne Kersten, Bellevue

The principle got lost

The Times' endorsements for the Seattle School Board ["Single issues out on School Board," endorsement, Oct. 21] were truly disturbing, particularly its pick of retired business executive Steve Sundquist over longtime education leader Maria Ramirez for Position 6.

The Times saw fit to endorse Ramirez for the primary, calling her a "passionate advocate" and a "leader in her neighborhood schools." In throwing its support to Sundquist, it noted one (just one) problem with Ramirez: She did not vote in February's levy and bond elections.

I know from having been active in West Seattle schools that Ramirez spent hundreds of hours organizing often disenfranchised parents during the planning stages for the ballot measures. She spent hundreds of hours bringing new ideas to the table, working with district officials, and trying to craft the best possible package for Seattle's voters and students. When her work was disregarded, she chose not to cast a ballot.

While I believe she should have voted nonetheless, it is beyond question that she dedicated more time and energy to this year's levy campaign than her opponent even thought about it. Dismissing her candidacy for something like this is absurd.

— Tyler Smith, Seattle

We got 60% right

Proponents of EHJR 4204 [to end the school-levy supermajority] are spending a fortune on manipulative TV ads. I've seen zero opposition ads, probably due to fear of being labeled as anti-kids.

I am not against kids. What I object to is not holding school districts accountable for overspending, budget shortfalls and fiscal irresponsibility. Superintendents are paid too much, and they are constantly asking voters to renew levies because they were unable to achieve their goals with the money they asked for and were granted — basically breach of contract with the taxpayers.

EHJR 4204 provides school districts a blank check, guaranteeing tax increases and spelling disaster for homeowners. Not only does 4204 lower the requirement to pass to merely a 50-percent majority, it removes the minimum-voter-turnout requirement. The levy system is already unfair to homeowners because those who don't have to pay are allowed to vote to increase the taxes of those who do. Approving 4204 would bring hardship, forcing many to have to sell their homes due to escalating taxes.

Schools can and do pass levies at the 60-percent requirement. It's unnecessary to remove this extra protection for homeowners from excessive taxation by the schools.

Reject 4204!

— D. Kevin Baker, Lynnwood

They must think we're real monsters

Last Tuesday, my daughter brought home a note that the Renton School District is not allowing costumes at school this Halloween.

I'm disappointed that someone felt the need to take the fun out of that day. I loved dressing up and seeing all the different costumes at school when I was a kid, and I know that my daughter was looking forward to showing off hers.

Somebody needs to lighten up!

— Beth Martin, Bellevue