There’s no question. Voters have a clear choice in this Richland School Board race
Rick Jansons has faithfully served on the Richland School Board for 20 years and his guiding hand is needed now more than ever.
Beginning in January, the other school board members will either be brand new or will have less than a few years of experience.
Voters should re-elect Jansons for another term because the district desperately needs at least one school leader who fully understands the complexities of the job — especially with the school levy looming just around the corner.
Jansons told the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board that “this is not the time to change everything all at once.”
We agree.
Ben Griggs, Jansons’ opponent, is an engineer and a project manager for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His years of experience managing large budgets, building teams and analyzing data would certainly be an asset if he were elected to the school board.
He is also a parent who will have children in the school district for many years and he wants to make sure the district curriculum reflects the values of the community.
Hot topics such as sex education and critical race theory have been dominating conversations in Richland, and Griggs is in that concerned camp.
Jansons said he agrees that curriculum should be age-appropriate and pointed out that the school board already has taken a stand on these controversial issues. He also said the school district still has local control and that state law requires parental input for any changes in curriculum.
“We share the idea of age-appropriate curriculum, and that’s not a danger, that’s not an issue for this race,” he said.
Jansons acknowledged that out of all his years of service, the past two have been the most challenging. The COVID crisis has caused frustration and turmoil in the community, and he said he was frustrated himself.
Griggs said the school district was thrown into a difficult situation and that everyone tried to do their best, but that there should have been more attention paid to the mental distress of students – a valid point.
And in the Voters’ Pamphlet, Griggs said it’s time for the district to refocus and put students first.
Griggs says he is a quick learner — and we don’t doubt that. However, there is no substitute for institutional knowledge.
Having three of the five school board members on a learning curve is cause for concern no matter how fast they catch on.
And Jansons is not a person to rest on his laurels. He spent three years enrolled in night classes so he could earn a degree in special education and he graduated last spring.
Jansons has no intention of becoming a special education teacher, but he wanted to learn how schools work from the inside. The point of the process, he said, was to help him become a better school board member.
In addition, he is president of the Washington State School Directors’ Association and he has connections statewide that should not be easily dismissed.
Like Griggs, Jansons has a vested interest in the school district. His youngest is in high school and he has grandchildren who will be attending for many years to come.
Even so, Jansons said this will be his last term. He said he is running again because the community is still in the middle of a COVID crisis where people have a lot of different opinions and beliefs, and he knows how to listen to all constituent groups and how the district can move forward legally.
Griggs should continue his interest in school matters and run again when the opportunity arises.
But at this time and in this race, the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends Rick Jansons for Richland School Board, Director No. 2.
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 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.