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Monthly Archives: April 2010

This blog is a Kitsap Sun reader blog. The Kitsap Sun neither edits nor previews reader blog posts. Their content is the sole creation and responsibility of the readers who produce them. Reader bloggers are asked to adhere to our reader blog agreement. If you have a concern or would like to start a reader blog of your own, please contact sunnews@kitsapsun.com.

Tough Times for Teachers

According to a Kitsap Sun article published yesterday, 17 education professionals in the Central Kitsap School District will receive their layoff notices today.

It’s a very sad and difficult time for our teachers, local school administrators, and school board officials, and especially for those individuals committed to the teaching profession who will soon find themselves unemployed.

As you pick up your kids from school today, give our teachers a word of thanks and encouragement. Write a note to Superintendent Greg Lynch and the members of our school board and let them know how much you appreciate all of their hard work through the challenges of the past several years leading up to these tough decisions.

And lastly, send off a few emails to our elected representatives in Olympia imploring them to support badly needed reforms to the way in which our State funds public education.

Thanks!

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CK School Budget Woes: “What Can We Do?”

An article was posted earlier today by the Kitsap Sun Staff concerning tomorrow’s Central Kitsap School Board meeting where district officials and board members will discuss and act upon a resolution to make serious and significant teacher staffing cuts/layoffs.

The board will hold a study session on the matter beginning at 5 p.m., then act on a resolution to make the cuts during the regular board meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The board meets at the district administrative offices in the Jenny Wright Building, 9210 Silverdale Way.

District officials have effectively avoided laying off teachers in recent years by being financially prudent and proactive. But despite this year’s especially big budget cuts, it’s clear that the district won’t be able to delay the inevitable. The district has to cut $3.4 million from its $115 million operating budget.

A number of people commented on the article, offering some of the typical ‘blame-shifting’ broad brush stroke criticisms, but offering little, if any, constructive ideas or actions for improving the situation.

It caused me to stop in the midst of my day and ponder,

“What can I do to make a difference?”

We look at these huge bureaucratic problems like budget shortfalls and think they’re just to big and massive for us to make any positive contribution/change.

I think of all the teachers who will soon be without a job – people who have dedicated themselves to one of the most time-honored professions – no longer using their passion and training to help educate our kids. Where will they go, what will they do?

And I think of our kids, forced into larger classroom sizes. Remaining teachers having to do more with less.

Maybe now would be a good time for those of us who are able, to volunteer in a classroom. We don’t have to be a rocket scientist, just a willing helper. Read a book, help a student with their homework, grade some papers.

And for those who can’t volunteer, a few letters or emails to our elected representatives with some choice words about Olympia’s need to reform the way it currently funds public education wouldn’t hurt.

One person may not be able to solve our budget woes, but we just might be able to make a positive impact in the life of a student or make a teacher’s job easier to manage!

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Should Silverdale be Incorporated? Pros & Cons

In today’s Kitsap Sun, reporter Brynn Grimley dredged up the longstanding debate over the potential incorporation of Silverdale

(see “Silverdale Incorporation Talks Resume“)

I curious, what are the genuine, intellight ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ to the incorporation of Silverdale?

I realize that incorporation naturally brings with it the added tax burdens associated with city government, administration, and related services. Given our current economic conditions, the idea of any additional taxes is going to be a really tough sell.

Aside from that, what other negatives are there?

What are the positives?

What is the County currently providing or not providing that incorporation would do better for the residents of Silverdale?

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What’s Missing in Silverdale’s Retail Offering?

Ever since the Kitsap Mall was opened, Silverdale has grown to become the ‘retail mecca’ of the Kitsap Peninsula. Even with recent retail expansions in Poulsbo, Port Orchard, and Gig Harbor, people still flock from miles around to shop at the Kitsap Mall and surrounding retail big box stores and eat at nearby chain restaurants.

It was recently announced that Hale’s Ale House would be opening a new restaurant inside the Kitsap Mall on July 4th weekend. The rumor mill has it that world-renowned salon chain, Gene Juarez, will possibly find a new location within the Kitsap Mall in the near future.

With all the chains and big box stores out there, what is Silverdale still lacking? If you had your choice of any retail store or restaurants, what would you like to see come to Silverdale?

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