Dawn McCravey stands firm on behalf of students and community

Once again, School Board member Dawn McCravey has stood bravely in the face of opposition and open (and unprofessional) hostility, to take a stand for students and their families. Here is the speech she gave at this evening's school board meeting:

"The decisions this year have been singularly bad in my opinion and in the opinions of many in our community. The elected school board exists to serve the children in our community with educational policy that provides the best education. We are not supposed to be making decisions that negatively impact those educational opportunities.

"The process the district leadership followed in adopting “collaboration time” is practically non-existent, as I stated in a previous vote. It was secretive and top down in directive to our staff, community and tax-payers. I did not support the MOU in the last vote and I will vote no on this contract with NSEA and every other NSEA contract until the MOU language is removed and our community is given meaningful participation in this decision.

"The teacher’s union is fond of stating that the school board is the community voice. We failed miserably as such and didn’t require any process that meaningfully involved community. The one option we gave in a survey was negated over my objections.

"As duly elected representatives of our community, we need to be diligent in the decisions that affect taxes. I’m sure the board remembers the last NSEA contract negotiation which provided salary increases that were unsustainable without an increase to taxes, or growth of student population. Our district continues to believe the community will vote “for the children” in a large revenue increase slotted for this February’s ballot. When I voted yes on the task force recommendation to build a High School, I stated clearly that I did not want to see an increase to taxes. Northshore has a history of raising the bond by 20-25 million dollars every cycle. Once again, that is the intent with the upcoming bond. The technology task force tried to keep true to my request not to increase taxes until they were told they could reasonably ask for more. I don’t support increasing taxes in the economy we have and have had.

"The M&O levy is based on formulas that keep leading us to request the maximum amount allowed including ghost funding. In this year’s NSEA questionnaire to the candidates running for school board, the candidates were asked if they would ALWAYS request the full amount possible in the M&O levy. The teacher’s union is doing its best to assure a continuous stream of money for increasing negotiations. This is understandable. Our Senator has stated that NSD “left money on the table” when the legislature suddenly changed formulas in mid cycle between voted approved collections. I just feel the need to remind my fellow representatives on the board that that “table” is my kitchen table and the kitchen tables of our neighbors.

"I do not support increasing pay for less service.

"I believe this board has made many good choices for kids in Northshore. The choices that lead to this contract were not good. Please vote no with me."