Today we bring you a guess investigative report. It's going ot be a 2 cup of coffee read. It's detailed. While you may not think the Public Disclosure Commission is important...you would be wrong. This is the group charged with being the watchdog for expenditures by political candidates and those spending money on promoting a ballot position. Give it a read and share with others. Note: It appears the Columbian has just written a piece about the PDC as well: In Our View: Vacancies on PDC demand attention, action - The Columbian The Agency Most Voters Have Never Heard Of Every election season in Washington State, thousands of candidates, political committees, and lobbyists … [Read more...]
Southwest Washington State School Board candidates Nov 2025
This post contains links to each of the school district races we covered in Southwest Washington State. Click the link for the race(s) you are interested in. Please reach out to the candidates and ask your own questions. Consider voting for candidates who share their views and opinions. Those who don't share raise a question...why don't they? You can email us with any updates you get at: swweducation at gmail dot com It's worth noting that two of the candidates running unopposed chose not to provide even the basic information: Elected Experience - No information submitted Other Professional Experience - No information submitted Education - No information … [Read more...]
Ridgefield SD District 4 Donna Farnsworth
A list of 12 questions was sent to each candidate with the offer to publish their responses unedited. Ms. Farnsworth chose not to participate. [She is running unopposed and may assume her record speaks for itself?] Just in case you want to contact her and ask some questions her contact info is in the voters pamphlet reproduced below. If you learn anything please share with us. Editorial comment: This candidate provides virtually no information of any use. Nothing about what she has accomplished. No vision of the future. No information on stances on key issues. ______________________________________________________________ Q1: Given the poor student test scores, what are your proposals to … [Read more...]
Ridgefield SD District 1 Amanda Ronstadt
A list of 12 questions was sent to each candidate with the offer to publish their responses unedited. Ms. Ronstadt chose not to participate. [She is running unopposed and may assume her record speaks for itself?] Just in case you want to contact her and ask some questions her contact info is in the voters pamphlet reproduced below. If you learn anything please share with us. Note: Ms. Ronstadt cites elected experience as a Precinct Officer but doesn’t cite which party. ______________________________________________________________ Q1: Given the poor student test scores, what are your proposals to improve learning and outcomes? Q2: Given that an estimated 50% of the entire state budget … [Read more...]
Opinion: Rising budgets, declining outcomes; Ridgefield’s educational paradox
This is Part 2 of a review of the Ridgefield School District published at Clark County Today on January 22nd Area resident Rob Anderson says Ridgefield School District’s ballooning budget has not led to better academic outcomes Rob Anderson for Clark County Today The first article took a closer look at Ridgefield School District’s two levy proposals: Proposition 12, an operational levy, and Proposition 13, labeled as a “Technology and Capital” levy. Proposition 12 requests a 41% increase in operational funding compared to 2022, amounting to $44 million annually. Proposition 13 seeks $21 million, primarily for capital projects, including a previously rejected proposal for a new … [Read more...]
‘Ridgefield residents deserve better stewardship of their tax dollars’
Ridgefield's Levy Proposals: A Closer Look at Prop 12 and Prop 13 Ridgefield School District is asking voters to approve two levy proposals: Proposition 12, an operational levy, and Proposition 13, labeled as a "Technology and Capital" levy. While these measures are marketed as essential for maintaining and enhancing educational quality, a deeper analysis reveals significant concerns about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and respect for voter intent. Understanding School Levies and Their Impact School levies are often presented using two metrics: the total revenue amount and the cost per $1,000 of assessed property value. While the cost-per-$1,000 figure helps property owners … [Read more...]
Opinion: Where do we go from here at Ridgefield School District?
This is the final article in a series by Heidi Pozzo looking into the Ridgefield School Bonds. She offers some thoughts on where to go whether the bonds pass or not. Heidi Pozzo believes the message should be clear: people are unhappy their perspective is not being heard and considered Heidi Pozzo for Clark County Today There seem to be two common themes that have emerged during the Ridgefield School District bond campaign and election. The first being a Rorschach test in what people see and the second being a feeling of “it’s too much.” Heidi Pozzo For some, it is plain as day that the plan developed many years ago is what the community wants and is the only path that makes … [Read more...]
Opinion: When journalism fails – Ridgefield School District endorsement
Published at ClarkCountyToday.com on April 16, 2024. Ridgefield resident Heidi Pozzo adds ‘the rest of the story’ not covered by a newspaper’s recent endorsement of Ridgefield School District bond Heidi Pozzo for Clark County Today As citizens, we look to our institutions to perform roles that support a flourishing society. Media as an institution has a dual role: holding power to account and providing citizens with information to make informed decisions. Heidi Pozzo That’s why I was disappointed with The Columbian’s decision to issue an opinion in support of Ridgefield’s bond proposals timed to coincide with ballots being mailed. Their rationale was that enrollment has … [Read more...]
Opinion: Tax rates go down. tax dollars go way up in the Ridgefield School District
This article was published in Clark County Today on April 12th 2024 and explains the "rate" vs. dollars relationship of taxes when you consider bonds and levy's. Its worth the read. Heidi Pozzo shares what’s actually happening to your property tax dollars in the Ridgefield School District Heidi Pozzo for Clark County Today It is April. Tax month. By now you’ve received your property tax bill and are getting ready to pay for the first half of the year taxes. Heidi Pozzo If you flip over your bill, you’ll see on the back rates for each taxing jurisdiction. At the top are the rates for voted levies. You’ll see one there for Ridgefield School District. Rate per thousand is … [Read more...]
Commentary: Ridgefield School District capital bonds — dollars and cents
This article was posted in TheRelector on April 8, 2024 The last three to four years have been difficult for many of us, not the least of which are the financial burdens. As I write this, gasoline is up more than 40 cents per gallon to over $4 in the last two weeks. Assessed home values continue to skyrocket; the median home price in Clark County is now about $627,000. In the last 12 years, the Washington state budget has ballooned from $30 billion to $74 billion. Taxes are up massively. Inflation has hit 40-year highs. School districts have given large compensation increases to personnel putting a squeeze on operational budgets. Between 52% and 54% of property taxes go to public … [Read more...]