ELECTION: Fitzsimmons has what UP schools need

Annie Fitzsimmons demonstrated her bravery and leadership by risking her “safe” position on the University Place School District board to challenge the failed status quo. It’s a refreshing, long-overdue improvement for district voters.

Nationally, voters are fed up with politicians whose objective is maintaining the current system, not in representing the will of the people. Voters are embracing courageous challengers interested in principles over politics.

The “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality enshrines mediocrity. This is especially inappropriate when University Place is pursuing academic excellence. Real leaders, like Fitzsimmons, have the vision, skills and courage to orient the board onto its proper role - serving the district’s parents and students, not rubber stamping the dictates of the administration.

Parents are the ultimate authorities in their children’s education. Properly, Fitzsimmons’ allegiance is to her constituents: University Place parents and students. Heretofore, the board has subordinated parents’ desires and input to that of the administration.

Numerous out-of-district transfer students strain the system. Out-of-district students’ parents don’t contribute to University Place’s property tax base. They’re nice families, but this doesn’t help the district’s taxpayers or students.

Fitzsimmons’ passion, accomplishments and priorities are exactly the right prescription to cure the malaise affecting the school board.

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 10:56 AM with the headline "ELECTION: Fitzsimmons has what UP schools need."