The Death of Schools

I don't know how long it's been since I logged in to Ricochet...it's been a while, anyway. I'm not sure if it's been since I was appointed, and subsequently elected to the school board. But just in case, let me just lay the facts on you: about three years ago (or so), I applied to fill a vacancy on the local public school board. Then, about two years later ( last November) I stood for election to that position. Since joining the school board I've made it my mission to learn everything I can about how public schools run in Washington State. And, boy, have I learned a lot! Last week I was in the bus barn learning about the software they use to schedule bus routes. I've toured elementary schools and observed kids in academics, recess, lunch, etc. I've learned more than I ever thought there was to know about local levies and bonds.

And I also learned that every school district in Washington State has abhorrent policies requiring school officials to lie to parents. Let me explain...

In 2017 (I believe) the state legislature passed a law requiring OSPI to draft model policies for school districts to implement around gender inclusion. In Washington State a group called WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) is typically tasked with drafting model policies — call them templates, if you want — around a host of district operations. These model policies are sometimes adopted by districts as is, sometimes modified or rewritten entirely, or sometimes not implemented at all. In this case, policy 3211 and its associated procedure (3211P) were required to be adopted as is, or amended. If amended, they must include "all elements of" the model policy, according to state law.

Among other things, policy 3211 requires the district to recognize a student's identified gender and to use their chosen name and pronouns. It also requires the district to allow students to use restrooms and locker rooms corresponding to the child's gender identity. And perhaps most egregious of all, it prohibits school officials from telling a student's parents that any of this is going on, without the child's permission.

Recently, the state legislature passed laws furthering these regulations, forcing districts to adopt curricula that include material written from a transgender perspective, as well as prohibiting school districts from removing material from libraries that are written from a transgender perspective. And if all that doesn't tickle your fancy, a biological male recently took first place in a girls' track and field event at a state championship.

None of this is sitting well with parents. Across the state, conservatives have filled what are normally considered non-partisan positions in school boards. Meanwhile, districts are failing levies and bonds, and having to shut entire schools due to lack of funding. Seattle schools are $105M in the hole for the currently-ending school year. Media coverage tends to blame the ending of federal COVID funding, but those who watch carefully know better. Seattle had 53,000 students enrolled pre-COVID. They now have 49,000 students. The state funds each school district by headcount, just under $11k per student. It's not hard to work out where half their shortfall is! There's been a 9.4% increase in private school enrollment and a whopping 37% increase in homeschool enrollments in the state since COVID.

Frankly, parents have had enough, and their feet doing the talking. And it's killing public schools. Some may see that as a good thing. I do not. I think thriving, vibrant public schools are important. But if someone higher up doesn't open their eyes and recognize the problem soon, it'll be too late to save them.