Larry Seaquist Running For Superintendent of Public Education
Larry Seaquist, former legislator for the 26th Legislative District, has announced his bid for the state Superintendent of Public Education position.
“We have an important opportunity to remodel our school system. I want to lead that change. With the new Every Student Succeeds Act, the Feds opened the door to a fresh start. With local control (mostly) restored we can now realign and fully fund our whole state system of public education,” Seaquist stated.
During his tenure as state legislator, Seaquist was chair of the House Higher Education Committee. Known for his inclusive and bipartisan leadership style, he invites the whole state to rethink our commitment to thriving as an educated society in a high tech, high skills world. Seaquist asks the public to recommit to two broad goals, to graduate more students at all levels and to decrease dropout rates to near zero. He feels that these goals can be worked toward by enacting two immediate actions, restoring trust in our teachers and drawing a bright line around ‘basic and ample’. The legislature would decide what specific “basic” costs they will pay to furnish reliably “ample” funding when state money replaces local levies. Seaquist feels parents, teachers, school boards and local taxpayers need to see a detailed and politically credible proposal.
Seaquist feels that education is the most important issue on the ballot this year.
“I will run a strong campaign to bring us together in a new consensus,” Seaquist stated. “I invite everyone to join this statewide discussion. I look forward to continuing to travel the state to talk with educations, parents, students and local community leaders.”
For more information, please visit www.larryseaquist.com.
January 2016 Membership Meeting
Democrats have watched Republicans like Donald Trump promote division through the use of FEAR as a follow-up to the G. W. Bush tactics following 9/11/2001. We need to heed the words of FDR, Thomas Jefferson and others who reminded us the lack of fear brought the United States of America unity and strength.
At our regular meeting on Thursday, January 7, 2016, member Tony Otto will lead a discussion on the subject of the use of fear by current Republican candidates. Please make plans to attend this important discussion and if possible, bring a friend as well.
Click here for a suggested reading of a 2 page excerpt of chapter one from The Assault on Reason by Al Gore. Our January membership meeting will take place Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Givens Community Center (1026 Sidney Rd, Port Orchard, 98366). Our dinner ($5 donation) starts at 6:30 PM which will include pizza, sandwiches, salad and dessert and a beverage of your choice. Membership meeting will be called to order at 7 PM.
Peninsula School District Levy Information
These upcoming events will be held to inform voters about the Peninsula School District levy issue.
District Information sessions:
Jan. 12 6:30 pm Key Peninsula Middle School Library
Jan. 13 6:30 pm Henderson Bay High School
Jan. 14 6:30 pm Key Center Public Library
Jan. 20 6:30 pm Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club
Get specifics on the levy by visiting
www.standup4schools.org
Facebook: Stand Up For Schools
Donations:
Citizens for Peninsula Schools would greatly appreciate donations to help with the campaign. Please visit http://standup4schools.org or mail to:
Citizens for Peninsula Schools
PO Box 2184
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Volunteer Opportunities:
Sign Waving volunteers needed:
Jan. 22 – Sign Waving at GH Target Roundabout 4 -6 pm
Jan. 23 – Sign Waving at GH Target Roundabout 10-2 pm
Phone banking volunteers needed:
Various Dates – contact information below to sign up for a date
For specific directions, locations, and other information contact Deb Krishnadasan Allin4kids@yahoo.com or 206-484-1280
South Kitsap School District Bond Information Meeting Dates
South Kitsap School District recently announced dates for their meetings to explain the bond issue being presented to voters in February 2016. The 26th LD Democrats endorsed this bond measure during their December membership meeting.