Forum: Be heard on Columbia Crest

I am writing this letter to encourage everyone that I know to please let the School Board members of Eatonville School District know how you feel about them potentially closing Columbia Crest Elementary School. While the board has not openly said they are closing the school, they have made the statement that "everything is on the table." Whether you have a child in school or not, your tax dollars are being spent locally and I encourage you to become part of the decisionmaking process. There will be a School Board budget meeting March 27 at Eatonville High School's auditorium, with public input at 6 p.m.-áPlease come and share your ideas on how to manage the budget, or let them know your opinion on anything that is going on. A web site of a financial advisory company (www.plantemoran.com) has a detailed list with school district cost-savings initiatives. These are real suggestions as to what other districts are doing. There are so many creative ideas on finding extra funding or cutting what we do have. In the absence of public input, our board members are left to make these decisions without your opinion. If school districts are required by the year 2018 to reduce class sizes plus provide all-day kindergarten, combined with at least one new housing development coming into the town of Eatonville, we will need Columbia Crest. I believe that CC is currently an excellent model, demonstrating how a school can survive on a lean budget. Did you know that the principal also teaches, answers the phones and holds reading groups, in addition to her other duties? Or that the cook is also the janitor? Our librarian helps to collect lunch/breakfast money at the lunch line and also sets reading goals for each individual student and makes sure they stay on track. Our third-grade teacher is part-time; the PE teacher assists third grade plus teaches health class.-áAll of the teachers, staff and volunteers at CC creatively work together to keep the school functioning smoothly and effectively. Please come share your opinions. You can find links to the board members contact information as well as state representative info. on the school district website at www.eatonville.wednet.edu. Shanna Littrell

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