Our children need us to stand up for them

Public education is under assault by right-wing extremists.  According to PEN America, there were 3,362 instances of books being banned in the 2022-23 school year, an increase of 33% from 2021-22. Conservative legislatures have passed Education Intimidation laws that spur teachers to self-censor, fearing that they'll be fired if a curriculum choice raises the ire of an extremist parent. Conservative organizations are spurring their followers to take over school boards, fire superintendents, and impose their agendas onto everybody else's children.

Let's not allow that to happen here.

Matt Byrne and Kris Ostness, two candidates for vacant White Salmon Valley School District Board of Director seats, are looking for folks to canvass on their behalf on Saturday, October 21. With ballots slated to arrive in voters' mailboxes beginning October 20, these canvasses matter a lot. Matt and Kris seek to support the White Salmon Valley School District students and educators so that our youth receive the strongest education possible. They support teaching real history, not a sanitized version. They believe that students should learn and practice the scientific process and understand how scientific observations support theories such as Climate Change. They support the integration of social and emotional learning skills as well as a supportive learning environment for all students. They won't allow a small group of parents to hijack school libraries.

If you've never canvassed before, now would be a great time to give it a try. Canvassers for Matt and Kris will gather at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of October 21 at a location to be announced. Canvassers will visit the homes of education-friendly voters in White Salmon and Bingen neighborhoods to encourage them to vote.

One individual who's already signed up to canvass is 2022 Congressional candidate Doug White, who'll be traveling here from Yakima. Will you join this effort? Please reply to this email if you're able and willing to stand up for our students by joining the October 21 canvass.

We all know how teachers can make a positive difference in the lives of our children. Now you can, too.

If you'd like to read Kris Ostness's KCDP Endorsement Questionnaire, click here. If you'd like to read Matt Byrne's responses, click here.