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School Yard Brawl

News   April 18, 2009 at 2:15 pm Josh Feit

The pro and con sides in the education debate have descended into a school yard brawl. 

After the state Senate passed an education reform bill on Thursday (which the pro-side from the state PTA, the state Board of Ed, and the League of Education voters said was a necessary prerequisite for reform and federal funding, but which the anti-side at the teachers’ union, the WEA, said was an unfunded mandate), WEA President Mary Lindquist sent out an angry letter (which we posted in full here) saying, among other things that, “the groups behind it [the reform bill] are vested interests masquerading as concerned citizens who care for children.”

State PTA President Laura Bay responded with a letter today calling Lindquist’s letter an “unwarranted attack on the integrity of the association.” Here’s Bay’s letter in full:

 

Dear Mary:

When Bill Williams [PTA President] and I met with you, Mike Ragan and John Okamoto last fall, we agreed that the children on whose behalf we both advocate would be best served if our two organizations developed a collaborative working relationship, and at the same time acknowledged that there would inevitably be issues on which we would not agree. As this legislative session has progressed, it has become clear that one point on which our associations did not and do not agree on is the desirability of legislation implementing at least some of the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Basic Education Funding.

Until yesterday morning when I opened my email from you with the subject line “I’m outraged”, I thought our disagreement on this issue was a difference in priorities, significant but not personal. Thus I was stunned and extremely disappointed by the statement in your email that “The groups behind [HB2261] are vested interests masquerading as concerned citizens who care for children.” This was an unwarranted attack on the integrity of this Association and our 150,000 members, many of whom (me, for example) are also members of WEA.

Every day PTA members volunteer countless hours of their time in their local schools, in many instances freeing your members from routine tasks so they can spend more time teaching our students. Every year, PTA members raise millions of dollars so that local schools can purchase classrooms supplies, equipment, and in many instances pay stipends or even salaries for your members. And when levy or bond elections come around, PTA members are there to support the effort, by making signs, calling voters, standing on the street corner—whatever it takes. Their only “vested interest” is the welfare of their children and the other children in their communities. In fact many of our members no longer have children in school, yet they continue to volunteer because they recognize the importance of public education to our democracy.

A certain level of polemics is to be expected in any advocacy effort. However your ad hominem attack on our Association and our members was totally out of line. I resisted responding immediately so that I wouldn’t say something in anger that I might later regret. Yet I am just as angry and hurt this morning as I was when I opened my email twenty-four hours ago. More importantly, your statement has inflicted significant damage to the relationship between our associations, damage that I believe will hamper the ability of both organizations to advocate on behalf of the children of Washington state.

Outraged, Mary? You should be ashamed.

Laura Bay

President

 

WEA spokesman Rich Wood told me the WEA wants the bill “to die in the House.” (Pressing for a Gregoire veto seems like a lost cause. Governor Gregoire’s office told me she was planning to sign the bill.)

But the WEA has its work cut out for it if they want the bill killed in the House. The House instigated a stronger education reform bill in the first place, passed it in March, and then pushed the Senate to upgrade the Senate version—which is exactly what the Senate did on Thursday. The only reason the bill is back in the House now, is because the Senate actually added in a few more reforms—allowing the state to intervene in failing schools, for example—that the House supports. 

To follow our full coverage of the substantive issues in the debate: Start here.


  • John Stokes

    Posting Laura Bay’s responding letter to Mary Lindquist is much appreciated. However, while I understand the need for drama in a blog, the imagery of the serious debate and human feelings engendered by the issue and the continual campaign of fear and invective by the WEA cannot be simply reduced to a “school yard brawl.” It seems that whenever someone expresses feeling and goes beyond the Victorian approach of all smiles and niceties to respond to what amount to vicious attacks on ones integrity with some feeling and strong wording, disinterested observers sink to characterizing it as “descending” into something childish, hence the reference to a school yard brawl.

    Putting that nit pick aside, what we have here is a genuine and heartfelt response to an exhibition of bad behavior that is both (hopefully) fruitless but also causes much damage within the education community that will cripple us all in the years to come when we all need to be working together for the common goal, enhanced student learning.

    Some commentary about why this is happening and acknowledging the depth and genuineness of the parent response to the WEA’s campaign of distortion and personal attacks would be helpful in getting to the bottom of this, and maybe help pave the way to a realization by WEA that it has not only shot itself in the foot, but maybe in the midsection as well. WEA needs to do some serious damage control and learn to be civil and work with those who can really help it succeed for quality teaching and better education in the future.

    Laura’s message finally lets the public and the WEA know that its tactics are not acceptable and actually harm education and potentially the kids in the long run.

    I fully support Laura’s wording, phrasing and approach, and I do not feel any descent into a brawl, but rather rising in a noble fight for what is right.

  • John Stokes

    Posting Laura Bay’s responding letter to Mary Lindquist is much appreciated. However, while I understand the need for drama in a blog, the imagery of the serious debate and human feelings engendered by the issue and the continual campaign of fear and invective by the WEA cannot be simply reduced to a “school yard brawl.” It seems that whenever someone expresses feeling and goes beyond the Victorian approach of all smiles and niceties to respond to what amount to vicious attacks on ones integrity with some feeling and strong wording, disinterested observers sink to characterizing it as “descending” into something childish, hence the reference to a school yard brawl.

    Putting that nit pick aside, what we have here is a genuine and heartfelt response to an exhibition of bad behavior that is both (hopefully) fruitless but also causes much damage within the education community that will cripple us all in the years to come when we all need to be working together for the common goal, enhanced student learning.

    Some commentary about why this is happening and acknowledging the depth and genuineness of the parent response to the WEA’s campaign of distortion and personal attacks would be helpful in getting to the bottom of this, and maybe help pave the way to a realization by WEA that it has not only shot itself in the foot, but maybe in the midsection as well. WEA needs to do some serious damage control and learn to be civil and work with those who can really help it succeed for quality teaching and better education in the future.

    Laura’s message finally lets the public and the WEA know that its tactics are not acceptable and actually harm education and potentially the kids in the long run.

    I fully support Laura’s wording, phrasing and approach, and I do not feel any descent into a brawl, but rather rising in a noble fight for what is right.

  • Nancy

    Laura’s letter represents the message PTA members all over the State are expressing.

    Many times we are looked at as “bake sale Moms” but that is not the case. This organization was built on advocacy for all children and we work very hard to towards that goal and this bill is about kids.

    I thank Laura for this message and hope that maybe the “Show me the money” message by the WEA will turn to a “Show me an apology” message. We have worked long and hard to support teachers in the buildings with time, money and our efforts around levy and bond campaigns and recently the passage of Simple majority.

    Every child one voice is our message and we are proud of the accomplishments made over the last 100 plus years.

    Thanks Laura

  • Nancy

    Laura’s letter represents the message PTA members all over the State are expressing.

    Many times we are looked at as “bake sale Moms” but that is not the case. This organization was built on advocacy for all children and we work very hard to towards that goal and this bill is about kids.

    I thank Laura for this message and hope that maybe the “Show me the money” message by the WEA will turn to a “Show me an apology” message. We have worked long and hard to support teachers in the buildings with time, money and our efforts around levy and bond campaigns and recently the passage of Simple majority.

    Every child one voice is our message and we are proud of the accomplishments made over the last 100 plus years.

    Thanks Laura

  • BNV

    Josh you may have stumbled onto the path of greatness. For years the PTA and LEV and many other child advocacy groups have been trying to rally the troops, raise awareness and create activism. But for whatever reason we have not reached the level most had hoped for. Maybe it’s because many find education advocacy a bit dull, lacking drama.

    But no longer, what has in the past been a dull roar, is now, thanks to this controversy, become a full court press. Basic Education is the talk of the school yard. So much passion, dedication, some confusion, and the courage of (most) everyone involved. This is turning out to be Educations version of the Battle in Seattle.

    My only hope is that amongst this drama the Public will not be diverted from the truth behind all of this, and that is Washington state needs to make a commitment to putting the Educational needs of ALL our children first. Whether through much needed reform or funding but likely both.

    Thank you Josh for keeping Education where it should be front and center.

  • BNV

    Josh you may have stumbled onto the path of greatness. For years the PTA and LEV and many other child advocacy groups have been trying to rally the troops, raise awareness and create activism. But for whatever reason we have not reached the level most had hoped for. Maybe it’s because many find education advocacy a bit dull, lacking drama.

    But no longer, what has in the past been a dull roar, is now, thanks to this controversy, become a full court press. Basic Education is the talk of the school yard. So much passion, dedication, some confusion, and the courage of (most) everyone involved. This is turning out to be Educations version of the Battle in Seattle.

    My only hope is that amongst this drama the Public will not be diverted from the truth behind all of this, and that is Washington state needs to make a commitment to putting the Educational needs of ALL our children first. Whether through much needed reform or funding but likely both.

    Thank you Josh for keeping Education where it should be front and center.

  • Heidi

    We need real education reform in this state, 6 paid periods in middle and high school, full day kindergarten, pre-school for at-risks kids, smaller class room sizes, etc.

    We don’t need a more-expensive dysfunctional systemm. Haven’t we learned any lessons from the Federal bank bailout? We showed them the money and what did it get? No reforms, no change – jut tax-payer dollars and a huge debt for our kids.

    We want reform, sure we need more money. But more importantly we need a roadmap for successful outcomes and ESB 2261 gives us that.

    I am proud to say that I have “vested interest” in my kids and all the kids of Washington and I’ll wear that vest proudly.

  • Heidi

    We need real education reform in this state, 6 paid periods in middle and high school, full day kindergarten, pre-school for at-risks kids, smaller class room sizes, etc.

    We don’t need a more-expensive dysfunctional systemm. Haven’t we learned any lessons from the Federal bank bailout? We showed them the money and what did it get? No reforms, no change – jut tax-payer dollars and a huge debt for our kids.

    We want reform, sure we need more money. But more importantly we need a roadmap for successful outcomes and ESB 2261 gives us that.

    I am proud to say that I have “vested interest” in my kids and all the kids of Washington and I’ll wear that vest proudly.

  • Stacey R.

    Well said, Laura.
    Washington’s kids, my kids, need the PTA, the WEA, and everybody else to work together in mutual respect to secure them both the basic ed reform and the ample funding they need. I think most PTA members and WEA members recognize this. And our kids can’t wait around for us to start acting like adults. Let’s treat each other well, and when we disagree (or are angry or frustrated), choose our words with care. That’s nothing more than we’d ask of our own children.

  • Stacey R.

    Well said, Laura.
    Washington’s kids, my kids, need the PTA, the WEA, and everybody else to work together in mutual respect to secure them both the basic ed reform and the ample funding they need. I think most PTA members and WEA members recognize this. And our kids can’t wait around for us to start acting like adults. Let’s treat each other well, and when we disagree (or are angry or frustrated), choose our words with care. That’s nothing more than we’d ask of our own children.

  • http://www.tacomamama.com/ Tacoma Mama

    Thank you for posting both of these letters. I hope we can all get back to concentrating on what’s best for the kids, starting with the passage of 2261 tomorrow, and continuing with the long slog toward better funding, which has always been taking place in the background of this little drama.

  • http://www.tacomamama.com Tacoma Mama

    Thank you for posting both of these letters. I hope we can all get back to concentrating on what’s best for the kids, starting with the passage of 2261 tomorrow, and continuing with the long slog toward better funding, which has always been taking place in the background of this little drama.

  • Chris

    I’m proud to have a vested interest in my kids. That is what parenthood is all about. When parents are not actively engaged in their children’s education, teachers call us bad parents. At this point the WEA’s actions and rhetoric are not helping them, or the children of our state. Calmer heads within WEA need to prevail and come back to the table and negotiate in good faith with the rest of stakeholders. Clearly if WEA wants to have any influence on ed reform they need to stop the negativity and become engaged.

    Nothing less than our kids’ futures and the future economy of our state are at risk. Heidi lists several of the key issues. Unless you have a child in the system you may not realize how broke it really is. One example is the 6 period/24 credit issue for high school. Without a 6 period day students cannot get the clases they need to compete with kids from other states and countries for entrance into college–including WA public universities.

  • http://publicola Chris

    I’m proud to have a vested interest in my kids. That is what parenthood is all about. When parents are not actively engaged in their children’s education, teachers call us bad parents. At this point the WEA’s actions and rhetoric are not helping them, or the children of our state. Calmer heads within WEA need to prevail and come back to the table and negotiate in good faith with the rest of stakeholders. Clearly if WEA wants to have any influence on ed reform they need to stop the negativity and become engaged.

    Nothing less than our kids’ futures and the future economy of our state are at risk. Heidi lists several of the key issues. Unless you have a child in the system you may not realize how broke it really is. One example is the 6 period/24 credit issue for high school. Without a 6 period day students cannot get the clases they need to compete with kids from other states and countries for entrance into college–including WA public universities.