Auburn Pta Voters Guide '08 (31st).

Auburn PTA Voters Guide '08 This Voters Guide provides Candidate perspectives on WSPTA's top Legislative Priorities. It shares Candidate views on our Priorities with both PTA members and the general public. WSPTA's top Priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session, as passed by our Legislative Assembly are: • • • • •

Basic Education Funding Strengthening Math and Science Curriculum and Education Washington State Assessment System Improvements The State Board of Education's Core 24 Framework Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation

Find more about WSPTA's perspective on these Issues at our 2008 Issues Guide, www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdf (pages 5, 8, 14, 12, and 10). We asked Candidates to share their views on our top Priorities and on K-12 education in general.

Candidates statements for Auburn's 47th Legislative District (North Auburn) follow.

Click here to find your District 31st District (South Auburn, Enumclaw, North Pierce) Representatives: Position 1: Ron Weigelt Dan Roach Position 2: Christopher Hurst Sharon Hanek

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Candidates' Invitations The above candidates are presented in the order in which they appear in the Secretary of State's elections webpage. Party preferences are intentionally omitted. Candidates put in roughly 50 hours composing and expressing their views on our WSPTA top Priority Issues. We probably put in around 100 on our end. We hope you find this presentation of your Washington State Legislature Candidates perspectives useful.

pat montgomery-

Auburn Council of PTAs Advocacy Chair [email protected]

253/735-6791

Auburn Council of PTAs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization

31st District (Auburn, Enumclaw, North Pierce)

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IRS regulations prevent us from submitting only one candidate's statement in a two-candidate race. Only one of these two candidates submitted a statement. We regret that we are unable to present the other candidate's statement. 31st District for Representative Position 1: Ron Weigelt www.weigelt4rep.org

31st District for Representative Position 1: Dan Roach

www.dan-roach.com

Auburn Council of PTAs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization

31st District for Representative Position 2: Christopher Hurst As a member of the House of Representatives, I sponsored and voted for the constitutional amendment that repealed the super majority vote requirement for school levies, which was always one of my top priorities. Actions speak louder than words. When the time came, I voted yes! Education has always been one of my top priorities and I have the record in Olympia to prove it, over and over again. Our investment in public schools is an investment in the future of everyone. Unlike my opponent who sent her kids to private religious schools, I proudly sent my kids to public schools. I also understand the principle of the separation of church and state when it comes to education. My opponent, although she joined several PTAs, is actually listed as a “Point Person” for the radical extremist organization called the “Positive Christian Agenda”. Their leader ran the Ashcroft for President Campaign here some years ago and was state director of Social Conservatives for Bush-Cheney. This group's agenda has nothing to do with supporting public education in any shape or form. When talking to education people or ordinary folks, my opponent always lists her affiliations to public school organizations like the PTA. But when giving a speech to the Gig Harbor Republican Women’s Club on August 18, 2004, she said, “We need to break the complacency and trust in public education.” She also described public school books and classes as “dangerous”. I don’t think public education is dangerous. That is the biggest difference in this race between my opponent and me. I fully support the PTA’s position paper on the definition of Basic Education Funding believe that we need a separate education budget with a dedicated funding source, so there is no confusion with the operating budget. That is how we get the public at large to support proper funding for basic education. I voted to strengthen math and science curriculum in this last session. We will continue to refine this process when the legislature meets in January and I agree that this matter is urgent. I fully support properly evaluating a teacher’s skill and experience and paying them accordingly. Finally, I support the CORE 24 framework concept and believe that one size does not fit all. See more of my positions or background at www.christopherhurst.org.

31st District for Representative Position 2: Sharon Hanek I commend the Washington State PTA for being at the forefront of strengthening Math and Science when they co-sponsored the math symposium at the University of Washington in April 2006. This was the beginning of improving math in our State. The PTA’s commitment has been instrumental in moving toward positive solutions. I have spent much time in Olympia over the past five years testifying and working with various legislators on education issues. Auburn has not felt the pressures that some other districts have because Auburn has made better choices in their textbooks and methods of teaching. Over the past years of watching legislation in Olympia I observed a trend of increasing one-sizefits-all controls over local school districts along with unfunded mandates. I want to preserve the ability of local schools to make decisions that best fit their students. Two recent bills that were passed could result in having every school in the state choose one of three state recommended books each for math and health. There is concern that these choices will not align with the goals of Auburn School District and may limit the financial ability of the district to provide alternative opportunities. Expanding basic education funding and graduation requirements to be 24 core classes are positive concepts but both could also result in less moneys being directed to educating children in basic reading, writing, math and science content skills. Some schools are concerned that mandating the teaching of non-academic classes may have the unintended consequence of decreasing money for academic classes and decreasing the time available for students to expand their horizons on electives. Decisions should be carefully made. I also have numerous concerns over the current Washington Assessment of Student Learning. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation study has rated Washington State standards with an “F” in Math and English. (pg 115 – “State of the State Standards” www.edexcellence.net/doc/State of State Standards2006FINAL.pdf) I was one of two parents who testified to try to save the norm-referenced ITBS and will continue to strive towards a better system of assessments. Each test has a different purpose and the school districts should have adequate funding to purchase the best fit for their students, teachers, and parents. I look forward to working with the Auburn PTA and local families to bring forth a high quality education system that fits both our students and the community. Sharon Hanek Candidate for House of Representatives Distr. 31 Pos. 2 PO Box 8055; Bonney Lake, WA 98391 www.SharonHanek.com [email protected]

Auburn PTA Voters Guide '08 - Candidates' Invitation

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We asked Legislative Candidates to share their perspectives on PTA's top five priorities, with the following email. We followed up with a confirming phone call and emails insuring that they received their invitation to participate: Dear {Legislative Candidate}, On October third, 240 delegates from around the state chose five top priorities for PTA member action around the '09 Legislative session. Many of Auburn PTA Council's 1,200 members will likely vote in the upcoming election. Many are quite concerned with education issues. With 14,500 students in the Auburn School District alone, there is good reason for them to be concerned. With five days remaining before ballots are mailed, we would like to share your perspectives on education with your Auburn and Pierce County PTA constituents. Between now and Monday the 20th, we will assemble a 'Voters Guide', with you and your opponent's views on the following '09 WSPTA Priority Issues: •

Basic Education Funding

Strengthening Math and Science Curriculum and Education

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Washington State Assessment System Improvements

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The State Board of Education's Core 24 Framework •

Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation

You can find more of WSPTA's views on these five Issues at our 2008 Issue Guide, www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdf (pages 5, 8, 14, 12, and 10). These are our perspectives, but we're more interested in your views on these issues. We very much hope that you will address these topics directly in our 25th District Voters Guide. Our timeline: •

Wednesday (Oct 15th): Email Candidate Questionnaires

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Thursday: Phone candidates' campaign offices, confirming delivery, and asking them to participate in the Voters Guide

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Sunday midnight: Deadline for candidate responses

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Monday (17th): Assemble responses into your 25th District Auburn PTA Voters Guides. Tuesday and following: Distribute Voters Guides as broadly as possible to Auburn and Pierce County PTA members, local media, and members of the general public.

We've only room for one page of response each, about 400 words. We'll format it to fit, but many more words than 400 will require printing it in a smaller font. Please feel free to include links to your website. We very much look forward to you and your campaign's participation in our 2008 Auburn PTA Voters Guide. Best of luck in the election, and the 2009 Legislative Session.

Auburn Council of PTAs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization