Letter: We Need New Leadership in Olympia

I am an education advocate and lifelong Democrat who can no longer support Rosemary McAuliffe.  She has publically stated that the education system was good enough for her kids, and it is good enough now. During her tenure in the State Senate as Chair of the K-12 Education Committee, education funding has gone down (vs. the national average) and the achievement gap has gone up.  Today, only 3 out of 4 high school freshman will graduate, and only 1 out of 5 will graduate college.  We can and must do better.

This past session, Senator McAuliffe refused to allow votes on several bills that had bipartisan support and enough votes to pass her committee. Ultimately, no bills were voted on in her committee.  NONE.

Both the Seattle Times and Everett Herald endorsed the challenger in this election.  From the Herald endorsement:

“Rosemary McAuliffe… was called out this past session for throttling reform legislation...Her thinking and leadership style no longer align with a chairmanship that demands innovation (all the more imperative with the state Supreme Court's McCleary decision mandating full funding of K-12.)

Her opponent, Republican Dawn McCravey, is a former special-ed teacher and a Northshore School Board member. McCravey looks at basic education through a fresh, school-board-tested lens, tying board and district goals with student achievement and advancing a more rigorous curriculum. Her willingness to explore education options that put students ahead of administration, as well as her grounding in small-business issues, make McCravey the more appealing choice."

I have observed Dawn McCravey in action as a school board member for several years.  She is always willing to listen to her constituents, and does not merely follow the group, but leads; she is a free-thinker and always puts the best interest of kids first in her decision making.  She believes every kid deserves a great teacher, and we need to give teachers the supports they need to succeed, including the freedom to use various methods to reach every child, because no one curriculum or method fits all children.  

I urge you to join me in supporting Dawn McCravey for State Senate.

Nancy Chamberlain

Woodinville

Send your letters to the editor to lisa.baumann@patch.com or post in our blog section at http://woodinville.patch.com/blog/apply