auburn pta voters guide '08 (31st)

8/14/2019 Auburn PTA Voters Guide '08 (31st).

1/5

Auburn PTA

Voters Guide '08This Voters Guide provides Candidate perspectives

on WSPTA's top Legislative Priorities. It shares Candidate

views on our Priorities with both PTA members and the general public.

WSPTA's top Priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session, as passed by our Legislative

Assembly are:

BasicEducation Funding

Strengthening Math and Science Curriculum and Education

Washington State Assessment System Improvements

The State Board of Education's Core 24 Framework

Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation

Find more about WSPTA's perspective on these Issues at our 2008 Issues Guide,

www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdf(pages 5, 8, 14, 12, and 10).

We asked Candidates to share their views on our top Priorities and on K-12 education in general.

Candidates statements for Auburn's 47th Legislative District (North Auburn) follow.

Clickhere to find your District

31st District (South Auburn, Enumclaw, North Pierce) mapRepresentatives:

Position 1: Ron Weigelt Dan Roach

Position 2: Christopher Hurst Sharon Hanek

Candidates' InvitationsThe above candidates are presented in the order in which they appear in the Secretary of State'selections webpage. Party preferences are intentionally omitted.

Candidates put in roughly 50 hours composing and expressing their views on our WSPTA top Priority

Issues. We probably put in around 100 on our end. We hope you find this presentation of yourWashington State Legislature Candidates perspectives useful.

pat montgomery-

Auburn Council of PTAs Advocacy [email protected] 253/735-6791

Auburn Council of PTAs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization
http://www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdfhttp://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspxhttp://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31mailto:[email protected]://www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdfhttp://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspxhttp://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31mailto:[email protected]


2/5

31st District (Auburn, Enumclaw, North Pierce) map

IRS regulations prevent us from submitting only one candidate's statementin a two-candidate race.

Only one of these two candidates submitted a statement. We regret that we

are unable to present the other candidate's statement.

3 1st District for Representative Position 1: Ron Weigelt

www.weigelt4rep.org

3 1st District for Representative Position 1: Dan Roach

www.dan-roach.com

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.weigelt4rep.org/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.dan-roach.com/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.weigelt4rep.org/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.dan-roach.com/


3/5

31st District for Representative Position 2: Christopher Hurst

As a member of the House of Representatives, I sponsored and voted for the

constitutional amendment that repealed the super majority vote requirement

for school levies, which was always one of my top priorities. Actions

speak louder than words. When the time came, I voted yes! Education hasalways been one of my top priorities and I have the record in Olympia to

prove it, over and over again. Our investment in public schools is an

investment in the future of everyone.

Unlike my opponent who sent her kids to private religious schools, I

proudly sent my kids to public schools. I also understand the principle of the separation ofchurch and state when it comes to education. My opponent, although she joined several PTAs,

is actually listed as a Point Person for the radical extremist organization called the Positive

Christian Agenda. Their leader ran the Ashcroft for President Campaign here some years agoand was state director of Social Conservatives for Bush-Cheney. This group's agenda has

nothing to do with supporting public education in any shape or form. When talking to educationpeople or ordinary folks, my opponent always lists her affiliations to public school organizationslike the PTA. But when giving a speech to the Gig Harbor Republican Womens Club on

August 18, 2004, she said, We need to break the complacency and trust in public education.

She also described public school books and classes as dangerous.

I dont think public education is dangerous. That is the biggest difference in this race between

my opponent and me.

I fully support the PTAs position paper on the definition of Basic Education Funding believe that

we need a separate education budget with a dedicated funding source, so there is no confusion

with the operating budget. That is how we get the public at large to support proper funding forbasic education. I voted to strengthen math and science curriculum in this last session.

We will continue to refine this process when the legislature meets in January and I agree that this

matter is urgent. I fully support properly evaluating a teachers skill and experience and paying

them accordingly. Finally, I support the CORE 24 framework concept and believe that one sizedoes not fit all.

See more of my positions or background atwww.christopherhurst.org.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.christopherhurst.org/http://www.christopherhurst.org/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.christopherhurst.org/


4/5

31st District for Representative Position 2: Sharon Hanek

I commend the Washington State PTA for being at the forefront of

strengthening Math and Science when they co-sponsored the math

symposium at the University of Washington in April 2006. This was the

beginning of improving math in our State. The PTAs commitment hasbeen instrumental in moving toward positive solutions. I have spent

much time in Olympia over the past five years testifying and workingwith various legislators on education issues. Auburn has not felt the

pressures that some other districts have because Auburn has made better

choices in their textbooks and methods of teaching.

Over the past years of watching legislation in Olympia I observed a trend of increasing one-size-

fits-all controls over local school districts along with unfunded mandates. I want to preserve the

ability of local schools to make decisions that best fit their students. Two recent bills that werepassed could result in having every school in the state choose one of three state recommended

books each for math and health. There is concern that these choices will not align with the goalsof Auburn School District and may limit the financial ability of the district to provide alternativeopportunities.

Expanding basic education funding and graduation requirements to be 24 core classes arepositive concepts but both could also result in less moneys being directed to educating children

in basic reading, writing, math and science content skills. Some schools are concerned that

mandating the teaching of non-academic classes may have the unintended consequence of

decreasing money for academic classes and decreasing the time available for students to expandtheir horizons on electives. Decisions should be carefully made.

I also have numerous concerns over the current Washington Assessment of Student Learning.The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation study has rated Washington State standards with an F in

Math and English. (pg 115 State of the State Standards www.edexcellence.net/doc/State of State Standards2006FINAL.pdf)

I was one of two parents who testified to try to save the norm-referenced ITBS and will continue

to strive towards a better system of assessments. Each test has a different purpose and the school

districts should have adequate funding to purchase the best fit for their students, teachers, andparents.

I look forward to working with the Auburn PTA and local families to bring forth a high quality

education system that fits both our students and the community.

Sharon Hanek

Candidate for House of Representatives Distr. 31 Pos. 2PO Box 8055; Bonney Lake, WA 98391

www.SharonHanek.com

[email protected]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.edexcellence.net/doc/State%20of%20State%20Standards2006FINAL.pdfhttp://www.sharonhanek.com/mailto:[email protected]://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=31http://www.edexcellence.net/doc/State%20of%20State%20Standards2006FINAL.pdfhttp://www.sharonhanek.com/mailto:[email protected]


5/5

Auburn PTA Voters Guide '08 - Candidates' Invitation_

We asked Legislative Candidates to share their perspectives on PTA's top five priorities,

with the following email. We followed up with a confirming phone call and emails

insuring that they received their invitation to participate:

Dear {Legislative Candidate},

On October third, 240 delegates from around the state chose five top priorities for PTA member actionaround the '09 Legislative session.

Many of Auburn PTA Council's 1,200 members will likely vote in the upcoming election. Many arequite concerned with education issues. With 14,500 students in the Auburn School District alone,

there is good reason for them to be concerned.

With five days remaining before ballots are mailed, we would like to share your perspectives on

education with your Auburn and Pierce County PTA constituents. Between now and Monday the 20th,

we will assemble a 'Voters Guide', with you and your opponent's views on the following '09 WSPTAPriority Issues:

Basic Education Funding

Strengthening Math and Science Curriculum and Education

Washington State Assessment System Improvements

The State Board of Education's Core 24 Framework

Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation

You can find more of WSPTA's views on these five Issues at our2008 Issue Guide,

www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdf(pages 5, 8, 14, 12, and 10).These are our perspectives, butwe're more interested in your views on these issues. We very much

hope that you will address these topics directly in our 25 th District Voters Guide.

Our timeline:

Wednesday (Oct 15th): Email Candidate Questionnaires

Thursday: Phone candidates' campaign offices, confirming delivery, and asking them to participate

in the Voters Guide

Sunday midnight: Deadline for candidate responses

Monday (17th): Assemble responses into your 25th District Auburn PTA Voters Guides.

Tuesday and following: Distribute Voters Guides as broadly as possible to Auburn and Pierce

County PTA members, local media, and members of the general public.

We've only room for one page of response each, about 400 words. We'll format it to fit, but many more words

than 400 will require printing it in a smaller font. Please feel free to include links to your website.

We very much look forward to you and your campaign's participation in our 2008 Auburn PTA Voters Guide.

Best of luck in the election, and the 2009 Legislative Session.

http://bs1/F/PTA%20Voters%20Guide%20'08%20-%20Candidates'%20Invitation..htmhttp://bs1/F/PTA%20Voters%20Guide%20'08%20-%20Candidates'%20Invitation..htmhttp://www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdfhttp://bs1/F/PTA%20Voters%20Guide%20'08%20-%20Candidates'%20Invitation..htmhttp://www.wastatepta.org/leg/Issue_Guide_08.pdf

auburn pta voters guide '08 (31st)

Documents