From the way matters look now, it will be tough to be a kid in Kent.
Ditto that as the parent of a kid in Kent.
Our paper today has stories about two issues affecting our youngsters here: 1) the potential for a teachers’ strike, which would set the clock back for the school year; and 2) the possibility of the Pea Patch soccer fields closing in spring, the result of county funding setbacks.
As the parent of a daughter who’s about to attend Kent-Meridian High School, and who will play soccer on those fields, I’m in the same boat as the rest of you.
All I can say to those who brought these developments is: you’d better have a darned good reason for putting on the brakes.
As far as the Kent school discussions go, I can appreciate the needs of both sides, debating the finer points of a multi-faceted contract.
Our teachers work hard, and our district is short of resources – it will take a good-faith effort on the part of both to find common ground.
But what is ridiculous is both sides pointing the finger at the other, claiming they are being disrespected. This is nothing short of wasted time – their time, and our time.
Hopefully the mediator who is involved in these discussions can put an end to that nonsense and get on with business. And hopefully both sides can work around the rhetoric they’ve built as walls for better bargaining positions.
What they are fighting for is critical – some of the best education kids in this area can get. The experience of my family in our schools here has been wonderful.
The issue of the Pea Patch fields is just as tied to funding as the schools issue – perhaps more so.
I realize that in a bad economy, little is sacred when it comes to balancing a budget. But why this park? It may be owned by the county, but it’s maintained by the Kent Youth Soccer Association – there is ownership here, folks.
I’d be willing, as a KYSA member, to pay some kind of field fee, if that’s what it takes to keep our kids playing here, rather than putting them on the road to play in other communities that have more facilities.
The recession is what it is: dollars stretched at every turn, and all of us making sacrifices.
But don’t forget it’s our children making the sacrifices this time.
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