This article was published at Clark County Today Jan 15, 2026. Clark County resident Dick Rylander offers his insight on the Washougal School District levy requests in the upcoming Feb. 10 special election Dick Rylander for Clark County Today Until a year ago anyone could write the pro/con on a school board levy or bond if no one in the district volunteered to write one of the positions. The Democrats in the Washington State Legislature decided it was better to have nothing written rather than let someone outside the district step up. It’s important to look at both sides of levies. So, if you were going to consider voting NO why might you do that? I offer the following … [Read more...]
2025 School Levy Pass/Fail Report
Here is data straight from OSPI on how many levy's went to voters and the outcomes. Take a look at the spreadsheet for details. Following came from a Facebook Group. Let’s talk about the failed levies (Capital, Enrichment, Transportation) across the state as more Washington taxpayers are saying “No” to unlimited amounts of taxation in the first part of 2025 according to OSPI’s website not just Yelm taxpayers. >>Side Note: this doesn’t take into account students who are home schooled, attending private school, or attending other learning methods that aren’t publicly subsidized. Looking over the numbers- * 79 requests for some type of levy in Washington state in … [Read more...]
Reykdal confronted by state data, blames partisanship for bad results
From the Washington Policy Institute: https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/reykdal-confronted-by-state-data-blames-partisanship-for-bad-results Pointing to stats from Washington Policy Center's Report Card for Washington's Future showing student spending is up per pupil from $13,775 to $19,163, while student test scores show decline with "about 60 percent not on track for college level learning in math and 50 percent when it comes to English", Q13 reporter Hana Kim asked OSPI chief Chris Reykdal, "What should districts be doing differently that maybe they haven't tried before, what is your guidance on this to maybe turn things around?" Reykdal's answer was to deny … [Read more...]
Where did the data come from for Ridgefield School District Bond Articles?
There has been some question as to what the information resources are for the various articles on the Ridgefield school district bonds. Following is an attempt to share as many of the papers, articles, stories, data sources and information explored to date. the list continues to grow but judge for yourself whether an honest effort to be comprehensive and thorough has been made. Whenever people read an article with analysis and perspectives, there’s always the question of where the data comes from. And while attempts have been made to link to as many sources as possible, some articles have run as print or in places that strip out links. Additionally, some source material came through … [Read more...]
Ridgefield School District April 2024 Bond – Prop 11 Pros and Cons
Following are statements from the Pro committee that will appear in the voters pamphlet. We have included more in depth details and information than allowed in the 75 word rebuttal. Why? Because there is far more to this than appears on the surface. Pro Statement Overcrowding is impacting every school in our district, with a 47% increase in student population since the last bond in 2017. The overcrowding in our intermediate and middle schools deprives students of crucial opportunities, like participating in sports due to limited team spaces. Gyms have been converted into makeshift classrooms, and students are forced to travel off-campus for classes, sacrificing precious learning … [Read more...]
Ridgefield School District April 2024 Bond – Prop 10 Pro and Con
Following are statements from the Pro committee that will appear in the voters pamphlet. In the rebuttal we have included more in-depth details and information than allowed in the 75 words in the voters pamphlet. Why? Because there is far more to this than appears on the surface. Pro Statement for the Voters Pamphlet Ridgefield School District has added 1,337 more pre-K to 12th grade students since we passed our last bond in 2017, a 47% increase. Without space in our school buildings, approximately 1/3 of our students are learning in portable classrooms at any given point during the school day. The impact of overcrowding is felt by our entire community. Long pick-up and … [Read more...]
Washington State K-12 compensation and other data
Our friend Jeff has a website we've mentioned before. Given the strikes at Evergreen and Camas and talk of striking at Battle Ground and other districts around the state we reached out to Jeff asking for an overview of the information he tracks. Following is that discussion with links to his website and data for your perusal. Note: Jeff does an annual update in December to capture the most current data published by OSPI. This data is entirely from OSPI. Jeff amalgamates and organizes it. So if someone claims the data is false refer them to Chris Reykdal the State Superintent of Schools. I have these charts already online for all 295 traditional school districts in WA plus most of … [Read more...]
Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement – Washington State
The Washington State Board of Education continues to move forward with a requirement to complete a course in "ethnic studies" for students to graduate. This article shares information you may find useful in assessing what the requirements will be and the details. Please take the time to dig in. First, here's a link to the webpage that contains the information: https://sbe.wa.gov/our-work/graduation-requirements/ethnic-studies-graduation-requirement Second, we share a report in the press: The Daily wire reports: https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-state-gears-up-to-mandate-ethnic-studies-as-its-architect-rails-against-jewish-complicity The Washington State Board of … [Read more...]
Evergreen School District – Won’t take NO for an answer
The Evergreen school district went to the voters in February asking for a new Operations Levy to supplement the state money. It failed. But the district and school board don't agree with a NO vote so they come back again just 2 months later. Today we bring you an opinion piece by a local resident who thinks that NO means NO. The Evergreen School District is attempting another voter approved levy just 2 months after 57.2% of the voters rejected their last levy February 8th (by over 3,600 votes). They say it is not an increase and although the levy rate is the same as the current levy, that is disingenious thanks to the ever increasing property values (11% average increase this year) … [Read more...]
Equity and Equality in K-12 education?
We hear the terms equity and equality being used ad nauseam. Is there really a difference between the two terms and if so what are they? How is "equity" being used as a tool of change and does it make sense or is it more political and a power grab? Today we delve into equity and equality in K-12 education. Update: As we get ready to go to press here's an article from New York on gifted children programs being phased out due to...equity concerns...how far will this go? https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/rick-moran/2021/10/08/new-york-city-has-run-out-of-gifted-and-talented-students-n1522585 Let's start off with some definitions: What does equity in education mean? Equity in … [Read more...]
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