This candidate will make a great addition to the Kennewick School Board. Here’s our pick
Kennewick School Board candidates Scott Rodgers and Micah Valentine are both fathers who care deeply about children.
They also happen to agree on several issues bubbling up in public education right now.
But they are a world apart when it comes to their approach to the job and their preparation for it.
On this point, Rodgers is the clear choice.
Rodgers has a stellar resume. He is a Tri-City attorney and a commissioner on the Washington State Medical Commission — the board that monitors and enforces licensing requirements for physicians and physician assistants.
And for someone running for school board, Rodgers obviously values education. He has a MBA and bachelor’s degrees in economics, sociology and chemistry.
His two children graduated from the Kennewick School District, and he comes to the race with no political agenda — only a desire to serve.
During our interview, Rodgers said he is “keenly aware” that almost 60 percent of Kennewick students are considered low income, and he also mentioned more than once his concern that dual-language teachers in the school district are having to develop a curriculum and teach it at the same time.
His focused concern on specific Kennewick School District issues is a contrast to Valentine, who seems more absorbed with controversial topics that school boards have little control over.
He and Rodgers are vying for the seat now held by Heather Kintzley — a Kennewick School Board member for 12 years who decided not to run again.
Valentine owns two marketing companies and was the top vote-getter out of four candidates in the August primary election, getting 42% of the vote to Rodgers 31%.
He has four daughters in elementary, middle and high schools, and believes schools should not have been shut down last year because of COVID.
Valentine is running on a wave of frustration, and we imagine many parents likely share his discontent.
The Kennewick School Board voted to delay in-person learning for middle and high school students for most of last school year, causing a fierce backlash from parents who saw some of their children struggling with online learning.
Valentine watched his own children work through these challenges, and he says he will be the board member who speaks for the kids. On his candidate website, Valentine says that “current school board policies do not represent the majority of local families.”
While his passion is admirable, the reality is that kids are now in classrooms so that fight is no longer necessary. And Valentine’s campaign is heavy with politically charged talking points and light on specific KSD issues.
Valentine doesn’t want kids in masks, but dodged questions about how he would fight the requirement.
Schools that don’t follow the mask mandate are at risk of losing state funding and Valentine said that’s why the school board needs “creative people” like him to solve difficult problems.
That’s not very specific.
Rodgers’ take on masks, however, was more insightful.
He said he also wants kids to be in school and he doesn’t like the fact that children have to be masked, but Rodgers acknowledged that unfortunately the state is requiring them.
He added that the school district needed to follow the rules, and that breaking the law would not be a good model for students. Rodgers also encouraged people to get vaccinated, which could eventually eliminate the need for the masks in the first place.
Also in our interview, Valentine complained that when people address the school board at meetings, their questions are never answered right away.
Rodgers then explained that school board members, as a policy, do not discuss matters brought up during the public comment portion of the meeting because they are required to sit and listen.
Valentine then backtracked and added that the current school board also does not answer emails — except for KSD School Board member Ron Mabry.
On school levy rates, Valentine wasn’t ready to discuss them. Rodgers was.
Valentine’s heart is in the right place, but when pressed about policy issues and financial concerns that actually apply to the school director’s job, his answers were vague or seemingly made on the fly.
Rodgers, however, already has a terrific grasp on how school boards really work. His knowledge of school director duties, responsibilities and the general operation of the district is deep and well researched. In addition, his ability to go beyond rhetoric when explaining his position on hot-button issues is outstanding.
We encourage readers to watch the full video recording of the interview to see the contrast in this race.
Both candidates are running with a heartfelt desire to help kids. But Valentine is running on emotion and political rancor and Rodgers is running on data points and thoughtful research.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Scott Rodgers for Kennewick School Board, Director 1.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 6:32 AM.