An open letter to Northshore citizens:

Much has been made of the Northshore Education Association’s endorsement of me and their donation to my campaign to help me get my message out. While the amount was unusual, it was legally given and correctly and openly disclosed to the Public Disclosure Commission.

I believe the association chose to endorse me because I view them as allies rather than adversaries in the work of educating our children. In Washington state, unions are a reality, and I think it’s in our students’ best interest for us to work as collaborators.

The teachers’ union is peopled by those who teach our children (many are also Northshore parents) and we are so fortunate in our district to have passionate and gifted educators dedicated to that work. I have not made promises to anyone outside the boardroom in the past 5 ½ years and I won’t in the future should I be re-elected (ballots are still being counted).

I believe that the strength of a five-member board lies in having five different voices, based on five different perspectives, carrying on a discussion in the boardroom and coming to a decision based upon consideration of those differing points of view. I have built my understanding of district operations layer upon layer, one conversation and one decision at a time, based on input from students, teachers, parents, community members and staff. Each perspective has been important to my past decision making, and will continue to be in the future.

I know that our children don’t get another shot at a quality education.  Their only opportunity is now. It’s only by working together as educators, parents and community that we can preserve and improve a system that meets our students’ needs. There really is no other choice.

Janet Quinn