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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

As Vote Nears, CV Candidates Use Chance To Tout Views

Alison Boggs Staff Writer

Seven Central Valley school board candidates used a forum Wednesday night as a last-ditch effort to win over voters.

The forum was sponsored by the district’s PTSA Council and teacher’s union.

Voters on Tuesday will choose winners in each of the four CV school board races. Quincy Edmonds is challenging incumbent Cynthia McMullen for the District 1 seat. Incumbent Cheryl Knighton and Craig Holmes are facing off for the District 2 seat. Matt Hawkins is challenging incumbent Kay Bryant in District 3. And it’s Patty Minnihan versus George Springer in District 4.

Bryant railed against the phrase “back to the basics,” which she said is “catchy,” but unrealistic. The basics have changed, she said, and schools today need to be ready to meet every student’s needs, whatever they are.

“If we can develop that person to their fullest potential, they will be successful in our world,” she said.

Bryant’s opponent, Hawkins, said a state law barring him from handing out campaign brochures at the forum illustrated his biggest problem with education. It’s too encumbered by state laws, he said. Hawkins strongly advocates local control of school districts.

Hawkins also said parents have lost faith with the district due to poor communication. Hawkins pointed to declining test scores as an example that the district, which he said was once great, is now failing and needs good leadership.

Knighton disagreed strongly that the district is failing or that parents are not involved. “I hear stories about failing public schools, but it’s not true,” she said. “Parents of children in public schools are satisfied overall.”

Holmes, Knighton’s opponent, called for the district to reach out to every child in the community. While he was campaigning, Holmes said, he met Gilbert Mills, a longtime CV superintendent. Mills told Holmes he visited every school, every week.

“That’s the kind of commitment I want to see again,” Holmes said.

In his blunt, to-the-point style, Edmonds stressed parental involvement. Though 50 people attended the forum, Edmonds said he was disappointed in the turnout because CV has at least 15,000 parents.

It takes a community to raise a child, Edmonds said, and each group has a role. Parents are responsible for raising their children with integrity, respect and discipline. Teachers are responsible for academics and supporting the parents. The school board is obligated to implement policies with community needs in mind.

Edmonds’ opponent, incumbent Cynthia McMullen pointed with pride to what has been accomplished during her eight years on the board. The curriculum has been revamped throughout the district, technology has been adopted and schools have been remodeled.

But more remains to be done, she said, stressing the importance of passing a bond in February to build an elementary school at Liberty Lake and remodel Bowdish Junior High.

Patty Minnihan said she hears a strong cry from the community for children to learn the basics. Minnihan is running against George Springer for a position vacated by 12-year board member Linda Tompkins.

There needs to be teamwork between the family and schools, she said. The family needs to provide a stable, supportive environment and schools need to respect parents, but center on academics.

Springer did not show up at the forum, nor for one last week. However, Springer, like the other candidates, turned in a typed sheet of answers to questions asked by the forum’s sponsors.

Springer said he didn’t think the schools were doing what is needed to prepare students for the world. He said he couldn’t point out “any good things that the schools are doing for our children, much less the community.”

, DataTimes