Letters from March 22, 2012
April 22, 2012
By Administrator
Study, then decide
I have given a lot of thought to the most recent 3-2 vote by the school board regarding the annexation of Snoqualmie Middle School as a freshman campus by 2013. I have received numerous emails and calls from many parents who know of my interest in this topic and who know I attend most meetings. Here is my stock answer: You cannot complain about a decision if you do not become involved.
I also offer everyone a homework assignment. Here it is:
Step one: Research who made the decision to proceed with the plan to annex SMS without a replacement school?
Step two: Find evidence that suggests the plan to proceed without a replacement school was thoroughly researched by any committee or by any committee that was also comprised of SVSD middle school educators.
STEP THREE: Go back and read why the public voted for a third middle school (now known as Twin Falls) and review the district’s rationale behind why we needed that third school.
STEP FOUR: Review the last two bond votes and either agree or disagree with this statement: “The bond votes did support (by a majority of over 50 percent) the public’s approval of the ‘Annexation of SMS with a replacement school.’ The bond language specifically addressed public approval for the funding of a replacement school and the bond did not address public approval of the FLC.”
Once you have completed this assignment, please call me back and advise me if you honestly believe this decision to proceed with the Freshman Learning Center without a confirmed replacement school is the best solution for the education of all of the kids.
Laurie Gibbs
Snoqualmie
Hospital does good work
As a longtime observer, I’ve noticed the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District has always come back stronger than before from each of its so-called setbacks. During the past six years, the district has transformed itself into a 21st century healthcare institution though its early adoption of electronic medical records, its Critical Access designation, regionally acclaimed Swing Bed program, best in class Rehab Department and upgrade of its urgent care unit to a 24/7 ER.
In fact, those in the know universally recognize the district has achieved medical excellence throughout the entire organization. Amazingly, the district has accomplished all this while also brilliantly navigating through extraordinarily difficult economic times to come up with a viable funding plan for a much-needed new hospital. Please consider that all this has been accomplished without once raising taxes.
I believe the core benefit the hospital district provides the Valley is that of community. It fundamentally helps keep Carnation, Fall City, Preston, the city of Snoqualmie and North Bend from becoming homogenized into just another Eastside suburb of King County. As a former employee who now lives in West Seattle, I know first hand about the professionalism and culture of caring that permeates each of the clinics and all of the hospital departments. If you haven’t done so recently, I’d encourage you to give the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District a fresh new look.
Scott Scowcroft
Former employee; SVHF Board Member
West Seattle
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