Tukes Valley Middle School student Rye Dilley offers support for Lorri Sibley for Battle Ground School Board
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
I’m writing this today to voice my support for Lorri Sibley’s campaign for the seat of Battle Ground Public Schools Director District 1.
I could not think of a more qualified candidate for the Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors than (Mrs.) Lorri Sibley — a veteran educator who has spent the last three-and-a-half decades caring for students, communicating with families, and standing up for teachers.
Sibley brings common sense and experience that her opponent lacks, which leaves me confident that she will make articulated and deliberate decisions for the betterment of our schools, district, and community. We have learned from the Shonny Bria disaster of 2012 that arrogant board members — even if they have good intentions — can make detrimental mistakes that harm the Battle Ground community.
Lorri Sibley is a strong, smart, and serious candidate — though I’m under 18 and cannot give her my vote, I throw my whole support behind her campaign and ask that you vote in the upcoming election.
Rye Dilley
Battle Ground
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Did Rye write this? If so well done. How would he know anything about Shonney Bria? He assumes that being a good teacher with lots of years under her belt makes her better qualified. He mentions her opponent as not having the same experience. Perhaps Rye should seek to understand the types of experience the other candidate has had which could be valuable.
Rye, one concern about all those years of experience in teaching and being a union officer is that she may be set in her ways. There may be biasis’ that affect votes. People may wonder how she can be impartial in contract negotiations ion 2026. Perhaps someone with different life experiences will bring fresh perspectives and not be encumbered by the past?
Well written Rye.Just consider other factors and consider the past as equally being an issue in some people’s minds.
Dick Rylander I can assure, young Mr. Dilley did in fact write this. He has been an amazing writer and researcher since at least 3rd grade that I know of. He has a curious mind and no one tells him what to think. He manages his thoughts quite well on his own. He probably knows more about Shonny Bria than you ever will. This young man has an incredibly brilliant mind. This will not be the last you hear of his name.
Rye – I think you did a great job in writing a well thought out letter articulating your views on the school board election this November. As a young person who has a personal stake in how the district is run, you were expressive and well spoken. There will be adults in your life who have different opinions from your own and will downplay your opinion because they believe they are the only ones who are right.
I agree with you. Experience and knowledge of the history of the district – good & bad – are crucial to the effective implementation of its main priority which is educating children. One of the best attributes of a great school board is that they try to get input from all sources regardless of political views when making decisions that affect schools. A fresh perspective is good – but only if you are willing to consider ideas different than your own.
Experience does not come from just being a stakeholder in the district. Experience comes from living through the events that happen in schools. Experience comes from dealing with and overcoming the consequences of bad decisions. Experience also comes from celebrating great things too. This is where Ms. Sibley is imminently qualified. She has experienced both good and bad experiences in this district for 32 years. She has also experienced the excitement of a child mastering a skill and the heartbreak of a child who is frustrated they do not understand how to read. That is what a good board member does – celebrate what is working and change what is not working. That is what Ms. Sibley has done and will continue to do as a board member.
Mr. Rylander here is my question to you and Ms. Sibley’s opponent. Can you celebrate the positives or are you only interested in tearing the district down like you usually do?
Excellent job young man!