Letters to the Editor 0504/2011

To the Editor:

I am writing today in support of the sitting board members of Black Butte Elementary School.

The incumbents (Dean Potter, Marti Dale, and Lee Morgan) are committed and are doing good work that is moving in the right direction. In short: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This school board is awesome, and is deeply involved, and there is just no reason to lose momentum with a change right now.

I am brand-new as a full-time resident, having just recently moved into town to live with my partner Erin Conway, who (full disclosure now) teaches grades 4-8 at the school. But I am very much interested in the fate of this school first and foremost because I have a 3-year-old son who will be of school age when the effects of decisions made now are just being felt.

They have a good thing going here, and I believe that this school board is a huge part of the positive momentum this school has generated: A solid budget. Great programs. Excellent, passionate, deeply committed teachers. One-on-one attention to every single student.

The 5K run/walk to support and raise a little money for the school illustrated to me exactly why we need to keep the sitting school board intact. It was a beautiful day, and about 50 people came out to support the school.

Not one of the challengers for the open school board seats attended. But who did attend? Dean Potter, Marti Dale, and Lee Morgan - the incumbents. And they walked and talked with us, with parents and with current, former, and future students, with the teachers and volunteers. Just about everyone in town who has an interest in the school was there. Everyone except those seeking to unseat the current board members. Guess who's got my vote.

With Toni Foster's passing, the Black Butte School's flywheel understandably had the brakes applied, and there had to be an adjustment period. That period has passed. The right people are pushing it again, it's momentum is gaining speed, this school is great in it's own little two-room-schoolhouse way, and some of the kids in this school now will still be there in 4 or 6 or even 8 years, so we have a duty to them to provide consistency and stability. Keeping the school board intact is the best way I see to do so.

Eric Metzger

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To the Editor,

I want to tell you all how pleased I am that Andrew Gorayeb is running for the school board.

I have known Andrew for five years through his work with Aspire, the lacrosse program and Sisters Park & Rec. I am so pleased he has decided to take on the additional challenges and responsibilities of a school board member. 

I could go on and on about his technical skills and expertise running a business, but the most important things you need to know about Andrew is that he is kind, considerate, a good listener, cares about our Outlaws and is just the person who is going to help our district get through these troubled times.

If you have questions about Andrew's candidacy, please do not hesitate to ask me. If we want to get better as district, Andrew Gorayeb on the school board is going to make that a whole lot easier.

Bill Rexford, Teacher at SHS

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To the Editor:

The Sisters school district is in the middle of (another) round of budget cuts. Dwindling resources require our school board to perform magic in order to continue to provide a high-quality education to our children. The people we elect to this board need to be flexible, creative, and have plenty of financial savvy.

Andrew Gorayeb has helped lead SPRD in their financial recovery, and his work in helping our youth in many areas is to be commended. Andrew's passion and dedication will be a valuable asset to our schools. I encourage you to join me in voting for Andrew Gorayeb in this month's Sisters school board election.

Carey Tosello