Educators travel to Olympia to meet legislators

Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan, WWVEA President Margo Piver, HR Director Chris Gardea, School Board Member Derek Sarley, Berney Elementary Principal Christy Krutulis, and WWVEA Vice President Keith Swanson recently traveled to Olympia to meet with state legislators. The visit was arranged to discuss issues regarding statewide education funding.  In particular, the group’s goal was to provide a local perspective on the impact of current policies related to teacher compensation and capital bond measures.  

Dr. Jordan explained that this diverse delegation had come from Walla Walla with a united message that students would be the ultimate beneficiaries of a statewide compensation system allowing districts to offer more competitive salaries to teachers in order to attract and retain the best candidates. He also shared the group’s concern that the current 60% majority requirement for the passage of capital bond measures creates a high bar for district to build and maintain quality educational facilities – particularly in smaller communities like Walla Walla with a lower tax base and a higher percentage of retirees living on fixed incomes.

The visit included meetings with Walla Walla area Representatives Terry Nealey and Maureen Walsh, as well as Sen. Mike Hewitt.  House Majority Leader Rep. Pat Sullivan of Covington, who serves on the Appropriations Committee, also welcomed the Walla Walla delegation to his office shortly after his press conference announcing the House budget proposals.    His 30-minute follow-up conversation with the Walla Walla delegation provided the group an opportunity to explore more deeply with him into the just-announced House budget proposals.  Individuals in the group shared with him concrete examples of how Walla Walla schools use education funds and where additional targeted funds and facility improvements could be used.

PHOTO L-R: WWVEA President Margo Piver, WWVEA Vice President Keith Swanson, School Board Member Derek Sarley, Berney Elementary Principal Christy Krutulis, HR Director Chris Gardea, and Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan.