NKSD

Special ed isn’t the place to cut funds

I am a parent and I have concerns with the special education program of the North Kitsap School District.

There has been some talk going around that there are going to be considerable cuts in classified paraeducator time in the special education program. This move would have a huge impact on the students in this program. The goal to help them succeed academically may be impossible.

Parents who have children in the special education program need to be aware that any reduction in the time spent with their children will be less learning time for these children, may not be acceptable to them and will not meet the needs of the children.

We are all well aware of reports of the shortfall in this school district, with many cuts. Taking time away from teaching these special children how to succeed in this world I feel is not where the cuts should be made.

This purported reduction in time for those who try to meed the needs of these special children is clearly not a solution, but may happen unless the parents of these children have the will to stop it.

Susan Norse

Kingston

Pool’s not fiscally related to city hall

On Aug. 23. Phil Herzog made an important note with a failed assumption.

Phil, it is extremely important the public pool be saved to conserve our tax dollars, competition swimming events and (the pool’s use) as a classroom. However, it is not related to our new city hall.

Tour our present city hall facilities with employees doubled up in closet spaces, working in poor (a simplification) conditions.

The bad planning of our elected officials to research prior to action, the public’s wishes, can be resolved in the next election. The increase in cost must be absorbed because of these bad actions/decisions.

To move forward Poulsbo citizens need to make some hard decisions on where tax dollars are spent and how we will profit in the future by those actions. We have several special projects that need hard choices:

• Community pool (with much already invested);

• 4.8 acres to move our utility services out of downtown;

• A better located police station with access;

• Marine Science Center support/definition of role in our community;

• Viking Days support (almost did not make it this year);

• Weekly farmers market support;

• Clearing obstacles to moving Harrison Hospital into our community (services, jobs and increase our tax base);

• Stop the random obstruction of improving our downtown area by proclaiming used up buildings historical but way out of code, some even condemned;

• Remove barriers from green businesses coming into our community. (What has happened to our Economic Development Committee?)

Phil, how about we hold our leaders (rhetorical slip) accountable? We are a community growing. That is a good thing as long as our leaders hold a controlled eye on it, to meet the needs of their constituents.

Ron Savage

Poulsbo

He said what?

I am very concerned about the comment made by Mr. (Ed) Strickland at a recent school board meeting to the effect that persons who don’t know how to swim are less likely to drown because they either avoid the water or wear life vests. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Adults may have the judgement to stay away from water if they can’t swim but non-swimming children and youth don’t.

Kids often get into dangerous situations because they don’t want to be left behind on the shore or the edge of the swimming pool by their swimming friends.

They are not likely to wear life vests, even if they are available.

We are blessed to be surrounded by water in our beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. I am dismayed that our elected officials are actually thinking about closing our pool.

My siblings and I learned to swim over 50 years ago in a community pool in the middle of Iowa farm country.

Had that pool not been there, I never would have learned to swim. Surely we can find a way to keep our beautiful pool in Poulsbo open so our kids can have the same advantage I had so many years ago.

Linda Pederson

Poulsbo

Emergency services

She’s glad she supported the levy

This is an open letter to Poulsbo emergency medical services personnel.

I am writing to express my gratitude for the recent times you have helped with my husband’s medical emergencies. As I told one of the drivers, I was so glad we supported the levy for the services. You may be assured we will be among your strongest supporters in the future.

The prompt way you arrived to assist, then the calm, professional way you all took charge of the medical emergencies is testimonial to the way that you carried out the vast training you have received. By no means is it just a ride to the hospital. The patient is in very capable hands.

Our driveway is not an easy one to maneuver, yet the drivers have shown amazing capabilities.

We thank each and every one who assisted us.

Cris Shardelman

Poulsbo