CV teachers union plans to protest cuts

Members of the Central Valley Education Association, the teachers union in the district, will be headed to Olympia next week to tell legislators to protect school funding.

They will be joined by principals, classified staff members and employees from the district office.

Steve Lalonde, president of the CVEA, said additional funding cuts would be tying the hands of educators and depriving students of a well-rounded education.

“Additional funding cuts could mean increased class sizes, up to 2,400 educator layoffs, slashed preschool and higher education funding and the end of all-day kindergarten,” he said. “Enough is enough. On Nov. 28, we will stand strong and stand together in opposition to further crippling cuts to education.”

He cited a potential $150 million in cuts to levy equalization funding.

Lalonde said the teachers will be on the west campus of the state Capitol building Monday from noon to 1 p.m. He asked supporters who attend to wear red to support education.

Boards of distinction

Two Spokane Valley school boards have been chosen as boards of distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

The school boards of the West Valley and East Valley school districts have been selected as two of 16 boards across the state to receive this award.

Each was required to submit an essay and supporting data demonstrating how they are putting standards into practice.

The East Valley School District superintendent is John Glenewinkel. The board is made up of Heidi Gillingham, Mike Harris, Mitch Jensen, Kerri Lunstroth and Roger Trainor.

The West Valley School District superintendent is Polly Crowley. The board is made up of Sam Andrews, Bob Dompier, Pam McLeod, Bob Wentworth, Jim Williams and student representatives Shannen Tai Mei Wan and Jaymee Vaughn.

Innovative school

Spokane Valley High School in the West Valley School District has been chosen as a Washington State Innovative School by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The school, one of 22 selected, was chosen “because they are implementing bold, creative and innovative instructional practices and have been effective in achieving results for their students,” according to state Superintendent Randy Dorn.