Ashley Wilde offers her support to Lorri Sibley for Battle Ground School Board position
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Battle Ground schools deserve a leader who will put students first, which is why I am proud to support Lorri Sibley for School Board. I have known Lorri since 2021, when she was my son’s second-grade teacher, and later had the privilege of serving as her student teacher. During this time, I saw firsthand her expertise and her deep dedication to students and the teaching profession, which is exactly the kind of leadership we need on the School Board.
Lorri Sibley is a teacher who works tirelessly and truly cares for all students. As my son’s second-grade teacher, she kept parents informed of both academic and behavioral progress. Each week, she handwrote personal notes to every family, detailing how their child was doing and offering ideas for support at home. I have never had a teacher who communicated as clearly and consistently as she did. She encouraged parents to be involved in the classroom, and she even attended after-school activities and community events for her students. Lorri’s clear communication and commitment to parent involvement reflect the kind of transparency and collaboration our school board needs to strengthen trust across the district.
Lorri’s impact extended well beyond her own classroom. As her student teacher, I saw the lengths she went to ensure that every student succeeded. She supported teachers across the district, acting as a mentor and trusted advisor. When I began teaching my own kindergarten class, I often turned to Lorri for help. After I noticed my students struggling with letter sounds, Lorri met with me after school for several hours to develop targeted interventions. Once I implemented her suggestions, my students quickly improved. Lorri’s ability to identify needs and create effective solutions is exactly what our school board needs to support student success.
We don’t need someone who lobbies for personal interests. We need someone who understands education and the responsibilities of the board. Lorri has spent 30 years in the profession, many of those in Battle Ground, and is a National Board Certified Teacher, a distinction held by only a small percentage of educators. This is why I encourage you to join me in supporting Lorri Sibley for School Board. Our students, families, and teachers deserve a leader who truly understands what it takes to help every student thrive.
Ashley Wilde
Battle Ground
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I’m sure Lori is a fine person and was dedicated. She knows how the system has worked for decades. That raises a question as to whether she will embrace change. The school system is dysfunctional. Is it time for fresh thinking not legacy thinking? She was also deeply involved in the teachers union. Will she take the hard steps the district needs to follow in negotiations? Will she represent the public or the union?
Maintaining the status quo may not be the best approach. Perhaps someone without the history will ask questions and no t accept what’s been done? It comes down to whether staying the course of what’s been done is right or starting with a new board director will yield better results.