Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Peninsula School District isn’t meeting needs of students, family or staff
I moved to the Key Peninsula from Seattle 15 years ago after a 30-year career as a family doctor and medical educator. My kids attended public schools, and I was an active volunteer.
When I moved here I got involved in the local community, volunteering with The Mustard Seed Project and serving as board president while we built senior housing on the KP, and as a reporter and board member for the Key Peninsula News. Over the last few years I explored other ways to engage and decided to focus on our schools – a vibrant school system that welcomes and supports all students and staff is important to every community. I spoke with parents, students, retired staff, and people who have worked with organizations interfacing with the schools to better understand the challenges our kids, families and teachers face and how the district is dealing with those challenges.
What I found left me deeply concerned.
The climate affecting the social emotional health of students has been problematic for years. Bullying, racism, homophobia, and now the highest suicide rate of any district in the state (4 this last year), are all critical issues.
I have been told that the response of the district to address these issues has ranged from inadequate to obstructive. If parents and students are loud enough the district typically forms a task force which provides a photo op, meets a few times and then disbands without meaningful action.
Students have tried to bring issues to school and district leadership and have been stonewalled.
The superintendent has created a fortress around her, making herself unavailable through emails, phone calls or meetings.
Staff and families do not trust or feel supported by this administration. The disruption from the principal displacement/rotation last year continues to reverberate. At least two talented and valued principals have quit.
Staff members fear retribution, and their input regarding building leadership changes is often ignored.
Our students and staff deserve better. I will continue to meet with key informants. My hope is to form a coalition including individuals and organizations to clearly define problems and to identify actionable solutions.
I also hope to help recruit and support school board candidates for the 2027 election who will listen to our families and staff and challenge the administration to truly make this district one that welcomes every student and creates an environment that respects and values the richness of diversity.
Sara Thompson
Lakebay