MONROE — It may surprise some voters to hear that school board candidates Chuck Whitfield and Melanie Ryan agree on similar issues.
For one, both agree that Monroe schools are in an academic crisis and acknowledge that something must be done. Where they differ is their suggested approach on how.
According to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI):
• 49.9% of Monroe school students met English Language Arts standards
• 37.7% met Math standards
• 41.2% met Science standards
• 89% graduated in four years
The root cause of the suffering scores, both candidates agree, is a wicked problem — a term first coined by design theorists Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber in 1973 to describe the complexities of social policies.
Whitfield, the incumbent, said a significant challenge facing students is the loss of learning due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“The board has taken a step to address these challenges when we hired a new superintendent, Shawn Woodward,” Whitfield said. “The board has given him directions to establish a strategic plan for the district; he is obtaining input from families, students, staff, and the community.”
He also expressed concern about students' mental health, stating that almost half of students were suffering from depression. Whitfield feels that more effort should be spent helping students suffering from depression.
“These are struggles affecting them at school,” he said.
Ryan agrees that COVID-19 impacted learning but points out that inclusion and
safety are also essential for students to perform better at school, and currently, students feel neither.
“How can you expect a child to do well in school when they don’t feel safe?” Ryan asked.
Some don’t see Monroe School District as a diverse and welcoming culture.
In late 2021, a Black Monroe High student tried to break up a bullying incident and was hit in the face with a water bottle and then called the n-word multiple times by the bully. The incident spread on social media and then front-page news.
In 2022, an investigation found Superintendent Justin Blasko created a toxic work environment. It said he led with intimidation tactics, and the effects could be felt throughout the district.
Also in 2022, a 16-year-old Monroe High School student was charged with a hate crime and second-degree assault when he choked a 14-year-old student while calling him “gay.”
Whitfield said that student rights apply to all students, regardless of color, religion or identity.
“All kids are equal and deserve protection from harassment,” Whitfield said.
Ryan, however, doesn’t believe the tactics taken by the district have been effective. In her role at the organization Monroe Equity Community, she got weekly reports from children being called a slur and subject to hate speech, sexist speech, and anti-Semitism.
“It is an abdication of responsibility of the school board to let this keep happening,” Ryan said.
Candidate biographies
Chuck Whitfield is a third-generation Monrovian and the third generation to serve as a Monroe board director. Whitfield is the third of four generations to go through the Monroe school system. His two children are both teachers.
Melanie Ryan has lived in Monroe for 19 years, and has raised two children who attended Monroe schools. She’s been a foster parent and recently stepped off the board of the organization Monroe Equity Community.
Whitfield’s longtime day job is running his auto licensing store; Ryan’s longtime day job is running her own consulting and coaching firm.
Whitfield won the endorsements of Republican Snohomish County Council members Nate Nehring and Sam Low; former 39th District state Sen. Kirk Pearson; 39th District state Rep. Carolyn Eslick; and Monroe City Councilman Jason Gamble.
Ryan won the endorsement of the Washington Education Association PAC, a political action committee of the teacher’s union. She does not accept political endorsements for nonpartisan positions such as school board.
Related
Monroe school board candidate pauses run
MONROE — Though he’s not officially dropped out of the race, Monroe School Board candidate Andrew Fegler has decided not to campaign due to schedule constraints.
More on this story...
