School Funding Response
Dear Editor: In a sign of our times I have heard people mutter in frustration about Clyde Bright’s letters to the editor; I am certain there are plenty of Sitkans who cheer his positions and forthrightness, as well.
I’m writing to dispel a number of misconceptions. First and foremost I know Mr. Bright through a complicated business transaction we completed recently, and I was impressed by his integrity and honesty from start to finish. I have heard a number of stories about Clyde that all attest to his sound moral character, and I have no reason to doubt any of these. Clyde is a concerned and compassionate member of the community with a huge heart for folks who have less.
That’s why I’m confounded by some of the claims he makes in his letters, and I am left wondering who bears the responsibility to speak knowledgeably when tackling society’s issues. Is it Clyde’s job to fully inform himself about the complexities of the public education system, or is it the job of the schools to communicate the intricacies of the laws and principles that govern our schools? I suspect the burden of knowledge lies somewhere between the two, and I’m happy to try to meet Clyde halfway on the issue of local school funding.
We could fill all the pages of the Sentinel with a thorough discussion of education funding, but I’ll try to keep my comments to the local situation, and to address Clyde’s claims. Sitka District enrollment, like other districts across the state, has been declining. In fact, since 2016 it has declined by 8%, from 1,315 to 1,187 students predicted in 2020. The number of general education teachers in the district over the same time period has declined by 11%, from 80 to 72. What has changed since Clyde and I both went to school are many of the laws and mandates placed on schools, and these changes are generally for the better. As one example of many, students with special needs (English learners, students who experience cognitive or physical disabilities, gifted students, etc.), regardless of the level of their need, have been guaranteed a spot in any classroom in the country and a right to an education that meets their needs in the public schools. This is the kind of civil rights mandate we can all get behind, and it falls, appropriately, to society to support financially the personnel required to make education equitable for every child.
When Clyde talks about increases in utility rates, it’s important to note those increases impact the schools, too. Since 2016 Sitka District has experienced utility rate increases of not less than 30% across the board, just like the rest of Sitka. I won’t even mention the over 50% increase in the cost of heating.
Where the impact of those rate increases is felt, as well, is in the homes of Sitka’s educators. While utility rates continue to climb, Sitka’s certified teachers have experienced a 1% increase in salary since 2016. In addition a new contract was just ratified that included a 0% increase for next year – teachers who hold master’s degrees have agreed to fall behind the rate of inflation, something professionals of equal education in other fields would never agree to. Again, Clyde is correct: we need to tighten our belts, and Sitka’s educators are right there with the community in doing more with less.
Finally, I’d like to clarify one last claim Clyde made in a previous letter. The simple math of dividing the number of enrolled students by the number of teachers yields roughly a ten to one ratio. What that number fails to show is the specialist staff, such as PE, art, music, special education, and counselors who provide the rich and varied curriculum that allows Sitka’s schools to teach the whole child. Our families expect a well-rounded education, and research confirms including a full range of opportunities improves student engagement and achievement. Sitka should expect no less of its schools. Including these highly qualified specialists creates a ratio that appears low on paper, but does not actually yield a 10:1 ratio in any classroom (except where it is educationally required by the needs of the students to work in extremely small groups, for example in the case of extreme special needs).
I have tremendous respect for Clyde Bright, and I welcome the opportunity to talk about what the public schools do and how they do it, with Clyde or any other community member. We must all meet each other halfway so our children can see creative problem solving and civility in action, and we all bear the responsibility of helping each other become informed.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Rebecca Himschoot, Sitka
Karate Supporters
Dear Editor: Kenwa Karate of Sitka would like to thank several supporters for their donations and assistance over the last few months.
We received a grant from the Sitka White Elephant Shop that helps sustain our scholarship program and has allowed us to obtain new instructional materials. This grant goes a long way to help us fulfill our mission of providing high-quality karate instruction to Sitkans.
Additionally, a Sitka Bottling Company donation allowed us to purchase a tablet and accessories to act as our register and student attendance tracker. We are grateful to Sitka Bottling for their commitment to the many organizations that they aid in Sitka.
Nathan and Sarah Young of Juneau Karate Academy made an in-kind donation of several new uniforms which were very much appreciated.
Finally, a tremendous thank you goes out to Cynthia Gibson for providing our tournament attendees deeply discounted housing during the Southeast Alaska Karate Championships. We loved staying in the beautiful space during our visit to Juneau.
With thanks from all of our students and our board of directors,
Laurinda Marcello (Instructor)
Willow Moore (President)
Celeste Tydingco (Vice President)
Eric Harmon (Treasurer)
Justin Olbrych (Secretary)
Kenwa Karate of Sitka
