18. Testimony of Cindy Moody:

School Board members and Superintendent Martin, once again I find myself standing in front of you when I would rather be home with my family. But there are times when you know you must speak and this is one of them.

Restructuring is dividing our community and the School Board is responsible. It's not the Superintendent, it is not the administrators, it is you. They are taking their direction from you.

I've thought about the people I have the most respect for in this community and I realize the reason I have so much respect for them was that they are devoting their lives to shaping our children. Social workers, nurses, PATCHWorks coordinator, Saxmon outreach providers, psychologists, and yes, teachers. All of these people spoke at the first PTA forum on restructuring, but you may have missed it. Only 3 of you were there. I sincerely hope that the rest of you have watched or listened to the tapes of that evening. Professionals who spend their days dedicated to the welfare of our children expressing legitimate concerns regarding the negative impact this restructuring plan will have on our children. Is this plan the only solution to improved reading? Is this plan the only solution to balanced class sizes across the district? What other alternatives have you explored?

People are passionate about this. Please do not refer to this as venting. Believe me, if we thought you were doing the right thing, we would be up here applauding you. This is not about adult egos or inconvenience to adults, or being afraid of change like has been stated by board members at the last board meeting. I must say to Mr. Johnson, if a teacher cursed in front of a child like you did they wouldn't have a job. Mr. Johnson holds a public office and he owes the public an apology for his outburst.

In your brochure you handed out at the meeting on January 19th, under the listings of values and beliefs it says, "We believe in accountability, partnerships and the respect of everyone involved in the educational process." Respect of everyone involved in the educational process. Mr. Martin when you say in the newspaper that comments made by people did not include any good reasons for not restructuring you are sending the message it doesn't matter what you think, we don't care what you want, your input is not important, you are not valued, the decision has been made. Is this the message you are intending to send? There is no partnership here. Teachers stress to parents how important partnerships between parents and teachers are. Where is the example you should be setting?

I invite you to come to any elementary school in the district, stand at the front door and say good morning to these children and speak their name. Their school connection may be the only one they get that day. We need to build up families not destruct them.

Have you read the editorial in last Wednesday's paper? If not I brought you a copy. This is not just a teacher-parent concern, this is a community concern. Are you listening? Thank you.

19. Testimony of Maria Seibelton:

I have a .....Every time I hear someone speak I could say something different but I'm going to stick to what I've written, bear with me because I 'm just going to read it.

Contrary to what you might believe, I'm not hear to whine, vent, or to bring up adult problems. You may not always agree with parental concerns but you are elected to listen to them. You are elected collectively to come up with ideas on what is best for this community's education. And the parents of this community are responsible for doing what is best for their children. You should be glad the parents are concerned, they care and are not complacent about the education they want for their children. I am a parent of three elementary children in this district and I think it is safe to say that there is probably not a person here tonight that doesn't want the best education for the children of Ketchikan.

For years through testing you have identified the problems of the children who need help. There are a couple of you on this board who have been for a considerable amount of time. What interventions or recovery programs do you currently have in place to help struggling students?

I am here to suggest that you concentrate on the positive. Many things brought forth over the last several weeks would improve quality education in Ketchikan without uprooting families. Lower the pupil-teacher ratio district wide. Classroom caps would give teachers and students more time to spend on quality education. Increase the specialists. You said that you would hire reading specialists, hire them. Increase staff development. You said that you will train staff on how to help the struggling students, do it now. Increase the paraprofessionals. Using trained aides and tutors will allow extra help for the struggling students. Have volunteer training. The free parent help could be specifically utilized in many subjects similar to the Adopt-A-Reader program currently in place.

I know of a child who has spent his whole educational career struggling. What started as a speech delay developed with age into a reading delay and has blossomed into a vocabulary delay. It is not one specific problem but it is one child. A child who works hard to accomplish what others find easy. What starts as a struggle and drudgery ends as an accomplishment that he can hold on to. This is not a special case. I see similar challenges for many students I help. So I agree with you, I want great education for all children but I want it in a different way. To be connected to this family we call school helps make the challenges worth the effort because you have so many people that care about you. You must consider the whole child and how each one develops and grows. You can not separate the weak from the strong. All children blossom at their own time. Give them an environment rich in diversity, expose them to higher level thinking, encourage them to reach beyond their ability and to help others grow. There is an expression, "be passionate about your work and you will succeed." Well, school is my children's work and they must be passionate about it to learn and their teachers must be passionate to teach.

This restructuring may be your choice of educational reform but it is not the only choice. I hope that you will listen closely to all of the parents for you have been elected to serve this community and if you don't listen to the community, you are not serving them well. Thank you.

20. Testimony of Korry Olsen:
---On behalf of the Pt. Higgins PTA

I bring to you a resolution that was adopted by the Pt. Higgins PTA.

Whereas the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board's March 22, 2000 vote to restructure the elementary schools was made without any professional plan or educational study;

Whereas the Ketchikan Gateway School Board and the Ketchikan Gateway School District have failed to provide specific information to the parents, teachers and the community; consider the emotional, educational and psychological well being of the students and families impacted; provide adequate opportunities for input from the parents, teachers and the community; and provide a thorough financial analysis with projections;

Whereas the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board has failed to prove that the proposed restructuring is the critical element for improving quality education in the Ketchikan district schools;

Therefore be it resolved that the Pt.Higgins PTA does not support the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District's proposed restructuring of the elementary schools and asks that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District reverse its decision to restructure. Thank you.

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