MOSES LAKE — Candidate Pete Knittle is running for election to Moses Lake School Board position 4 because he is committed to academic excellence.

“Our students must receive a world class education that allows them to successfully compete in a global economy which is very different from the one we faced,” he explained. “For 15 years I proudly served as Lakeview’s principal and as a school board member I am committed to ensuring that all Moses Lake students receive the first rate education they deserve. My priority throughout my entire 34 year educational career has always been what is best for kids.”

He explained his educational experience will help him meet the needs of the position.

“During my tenure as Lakeview’s principal, the school was nationally recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, the governor of the state of Washington and the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction,” Knittle stated. “I will bring the school board the same skills, knowledge and background it took for Lakeview to be acknowledged as an elite school.”

He stated his skills will help him work with the community to promote academic excellence.

In the early 1980s he served the Olympia City Council as mayor pro-tem. His duties included helping to reform city government, balancing the budget, developing strategies to get citizens involved with government and to maintain facilities and infrastructure.

Knittle is currently the director of federal and state funds for the Othello School District.

“During my 34 years in education, there have been ideas introduced in the public school system that have not (met) the test of common sense or sound educational principals,” he explained. “My experience as a common sense educator, who believes in a well-rounded education, and has served as an advocate for children will provide a safeguard to promote educational excellence for all children in the Moses Lake School District.”

One of his primary goals he wants to fulfill with the position involves making the schools a safe place for students to learn.

“I recommend bringing together all available community resources to complete a safety audit for each school followed by the development of daily safety operational protocols for each school,” Knittle stated.

He wants all students to have a broad and rigorous academic background to increase their chances of gaining admission to college. He also wants to increase high school graduation rates.

“Higher rates of high school graduation lead to higher employment rates, lower rates of incarceration, better health, lower rates of substance abuse and lower rates of poverty,” Knittle explained. “One idea is the completion of a new skills center where technical trades are taught which would meet employers’ expectations.”

He stated it’s important to increase students achievement in math.

Knittle stated there are four challenges facing the position.

The challenges include the math achievement gap between students, high school drop out rate, providing high quality education and overcrowding in schools.

“Our children are no longer just competing with students from across the nation,” he explained. “They are competing with their peers from around the world. A diploma from the Moses Lake School District must prepare students to attend the college, university, trade or technical school of their choice.”

He stated citizens should vote for him because of his years in education and leadership experience.

“I have proven that I am accessible and accountable to the community in which I will serve,” Knittle stated. “I am an energetic advocate for students and parents in the community. By election time I will have personally gone door to door, twice, to nearly 6,000 homes in order to provide the community members with an opportunity to speak with me and share their concerns and opinions.”

He is the recipient of the 2005 Washington State Regional Distinguished Principal Award and the 2005 Moses Lake School District Excellence Award for Administrators.

Knittle shared his views on funding facility improvements.

“I believe we should restart discussions on alleviating overcrowding at the secondary level,” he explained. “Moses Lake High School already qualifies for additional space and state matching funds for approximately the square footage of Sage Point Elementary. We need to look at every potential possibility.”

He stated the board should consider building a new high school in phases.

“A space the size of our new elementary school could possibly hold all or most of the ninth grade students in the district,” he stated. “Therefore, one option is to consider moving the ninth grade to a new site until we qualify for additional funding to build an entire new school. Another option would be to build a smaller magnet high school until such time that we qualify for matching funds to build a complete high school.”

He stated the board should consider building a third middle school.

Knittle explained his opinion about communication between board members, school employees and the general public.

“Communication between board members and school employees must be open to the public,” he stated. “Listening to parents, students, staff, and community members’ concerns and facilitating positive change is key in creating excellence in education. As a board member, I will be open and honest about the status of our schools and provide open forums for parents and the community to discuss their priority issues and concerns with the goal of maximizing student learning.”

Knittle stated in addition, he would communicate with the public through newsletters, surveys and forums.

He explained how the board should manage the budget with regard to state funding cutbacks.

“Providing excellence in education must always be our top educational priority,” he stated. “This means maintaining classrooms staffed with highly qualified teachers and educational assistants. If there are further cuts in state funding then non-essential expenditures must be reduced.”

He stated the board should consider reducing office administrative positions, district travel and delay large purchases such as buses if necessary.

Changes in math curriculum are needed, Knittle stated.

“Every effort must be made to bring the schools and the parents together to discuss the math curriculum, he explained. “Many teachers have expressed concerns as well. A broader plan must be developed with parents to address the math achievement gap, parental involvement, and college and technical school readiness.”

His top priority for the district pertains to student safety.

“Bringing community resources together to develop school safety protocols at each building should take top precedence,” Knittle stated.