Dear Senators Ericksen, Rivers, Rolfes, and Billig and Representatives Sullivan, Lytton, Magendanz and Smith,
Thank you for undertaking the momentous task of bringing Washington in line with our state's constitutional commitment to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within our borders. Until the worst school in Washington is one that you would choose for your child or grandchild, our work is not done. As a parent to a current 1st grader, it is imperative to our family that you do this work quickly and effectively so that our daughter can achieve her full potential.
I am a native Seattleite who grew up in our Catholic school system, first Blessed Sacrament, St. Benedict's and then Holy Names Academy. That educational foundation enabled me to go to Rice University on scholarship where I earned a BA in Economics and went on to earn an MBA from Columbia University. I was fortunate to have parents who believed in education and schools that fostered my creative and curious spirit. We are fortunate now that private school is an option for our daughter but my preference would be to be part of the public school solution. I want to raise my daughter and grow old in a community where all children receive the educational support they need to thrive. I believe that you all want this as well. From my perspective, this is good economic investment as well as the morally correct path.
On September 24, you will begin the difficult task of determining how best to achieve our common aims. Many options lie in front of you. None are easy, which is why we are so delinquent in doing our duty by our children. The people of Washington and the 1 million children in public schools across our state need you to be courageous and bold. We need you to demonstrate the exemplary leadership necessary to consider all options thoroughly, negotiate in good faith and be relentless in pursuing solutions until you can bring a compelling, long-term solution to the table.
The band-aid approach has long since worn thin. Every year we graduate students who are less prepared than they could be if Washington were fulfilling its paramount duty. Every year, teachers, counselors and nurses leave our schools because they can no longer afford to do the work that they love, that they trained to do. If you do not act swiftly and decisively, these results are your responsibility. As a voter, I will hold you accountable and work tirelessly to ensure that voters across the state do as well.
I cannot imagine a realistic, long-term solution that does not involve raising new revenues. I am embarrassed that Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the country. I do not know how anyone can reconcile that with what seems to be a widely shared progressive ideology. Even though it would certainly mean that I will pay more taxes, I ask you to consider what it would mean for Washington to move towards being one of the least regressive states. That is the type of state that I would like to raise my daughter in and grow old in. I would be happy to pay more taxes to live in that type of state. Please let me know what you need from me and other parents to make that future possible.
Best regards,
Melissa Taylor
Seattle Public School Parent
Sent to:
Senator Doug Ericksen (http://dougericksen.src.wastateleg.org/, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Ann Rivers (http://annrivers.src.wastateleg.org/, ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Andy Billig (http://sdc.wastateleg.org/billig/, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Christine Rolfes (http://sdc.wastateleg.org/rolfes/, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Norma Smith (http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/norma-smith/, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Chad Magendanz (http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/chad-magendanz/, chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Pat Sullivan (http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-pat-sullivan/, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Kristine Lytton (http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-kristine-lytton/, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov)
Thank you for undertaking the momentous task of bringing Washington in line with our state's constitutional commitment to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within our borders. Until the worst school in Washington is one that you would choose for your child or grandchild, our work is not done. As a parent to a current 1st grader, it is imperative to our family that you do this work quickly and effectively so that our daughter can achieve her full potential.
I am a native Seattleite who grew up in our Catholic school system, first Blessed Sacrament, St. Benedict's and then Holy Names Academy. That educational foundation enabled me to go to Rice University on scholarship where I earned a BA in Economics and went on to earn an MBA from Columbia University. I was fortunate to have parents who believed in education and schools that fostered my creative and curious spirit. We are fortunate now that private school is an option for our daughter but my preference would be to be part of the public school solution. I want to raise my daughter and grow old in a community where all children receive the educational support they need to thrive. I believe that you all want this as well. From my perspective, this is good economic investment as well as the morally correct path.
On September 24, you will begin the difficult task of determining how best to achieve our common aims. Many options lie in front of you. None are easy, which is why we are so delinquent in doing our duty by our children. The people of Washington and the 1 million children in public schools across our state need you to be courageous and bold. We need you to demonstrate the exemplary leadership necessary to consider all options thoroughly, negotiate in good faith and be relentless in pursuing solutions until you can bring a compelling, long-term solution to the table.
The band-aid approach has long since worn thin. Every year we graduate students who are less prepared than they could be if Washington were fulfilling its paramount duty. Every year, teachers, counselors and nurses leave our schools because they can no longer afford to do the work that they love, that they trained to do. If you do not act swiftly and decisively, these results are your responsibility. As a voter, I will hold you accountable and work tirelessly to ensure that voters across the state do as well.
I cannot imagine a realistic, long-term solution that does not involve raising new revenues. I am embarrassed that Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the country. I do not know how anyone can reconcile that with what seems to be a widely shared progressive ideology. Even though it would certainly mean that I will pay more taxes, I ask you to consider what it would mean for Washington to move towards being one of the least regressive states. That is the type of state that I would like to raise my daughter in and grow old in. I would be happy to pay more taxes to live in that type of state. Please let me know what you need from me and other parents to make that future possible.
Best regards,
Melissa Taylor
Seattle Public School Parent
Sent to:
Senator Doug Ericksen (http://dougericksen.src.wastateleg.org/, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Ann Rivers (http://annrivers.src.wastateleg.org/, ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Andy Billig (http://sdc.wastateleg.org/billig/, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov)
Senator Christine Rolfes (http://sdc.wastateleg.org/rolfes/, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Norma Smith (http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/norma-smith/, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Chad Magendanz (http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/chad-magendanz/, chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Pat Sullivan (http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-pat-sullivan/, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov)
Representative Kristine Lytton (http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-kristine-lytton/, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov)
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