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Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Allison Panella
While I myself am also running for Kelseyville Unified School District Board I want to extend my full support and unwavering endorsement to Rick Winer for Kelseyville Unified School Board.
There are several reasons why I endorse Rick. First, however I must share as a colleague who currently serves with him on the Kelseyville Unified School Board, we don’t always agree, heck we don’t always get-along! Yet I know he is the most qualified and fittest person to serve on the board. He is a man I respect and his experience and wisdom in the field of public education is invaluable!
Rick has vast experience that is essential to our schools success through his 30-plus years working first hand in education to his 20-plus years serving on the board. His wisdom in this space, among our other board members who have served four years or less, is extremely important to continuity and ability to navigate through the work necessary to run a school district.
Unlike the candidate also running for the Kelseyville School Board, Rick is present in our school system. Rick is INVOLVED, he is on-site at every school. Rick is at every school function, whether it is serving breakfast to staff on their first day back at school to KLA graduations that only he and I attend, Rick is there. In the last 20-plus years as a board member he has missed less than a handful of meetings, this is incredible!
Rick is unbiased, his dedication to the future of our youth is evident by his actions, and he is an asset to our district.
I hope you join me Tuesday, Nov. 8 (or sooner) in placing your vote for Rick and myself for Kelseyville Unified School District.
Allison Panella lives in Kelseyville, California.
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- Written by: Craig Wetherbee
I am not proud to admit that I was a terrible student with a lousy attitude toward school. My teachers, up to that point, were often frustrated with me, and were quick to label me “retarded.” Their word, not mine. Simply put, I hated school.
I provide this little bit of backstory to highlight the influence that Larry Allen had on me at a time in my life which was tumultuous and difficult for me.
In Mr. Allen’s class, I would undergo a transformation that would change how I felt about school. Mr. Allen’s classroom was unlike anything I had seen up to that point. It was filled with animals, books and art. More importantly, Mr. Allen treated me differently than any teacher had up to that point.
Mr. Allen did not approach me as a subordinate student who was expected to do exactly what he was told, when he was told to do it. Instead, he treated me like I was an interesting human being who needed a little help understanding the world around me.
He had conversations with my mother in Hardester’s about how I was doing in school and listened to her when she explained some of the challenges she had with me. On days that I was unruly or aggressive, he would take the time to find me something constructive to work on. On days that I was quiet and detached, he would recommend a good book for me.
For the first time in my life, I had an educator who was more interested in finding ways to engage me than ways to ensure that I stood in line and stayed quiet. Mr. Allen was the right teacher at the right time.
I am proud to say that my year with Mr. Allen was the very first time in my life that I got an “A” on my report card. It was the first, and only, time that I had perfect attendance for the school year. More importantly, it was the first time in my life that I actually wanted to go to school.
I went on to graduate from Cobb Elementary, Middletown Middle School and Middletown High School. I served in the United States Navy, earned my college benefits and used them to attend, and graduate from college.
Today, my son is a student at Cobb Elementary. Nothing would make me happier than my son having an opportunity to experience Mr. Allen as a teacher. Of course, that isn’t possible as Mr. Allen retired from teaching.
However, I can think of no better representative for the Middletown Unified School District Board than a retired teacher who actually cares about kids. You know, someone who truly dedicated themselves to the education of children.
Craig Wetherbee lives in Cobb, California.
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- Written by: Sarah and DJ McGrath
My husband and I fully support Allison Panella to serve another term as a school board member for Kelseyville Unified School District.
We have two children who attend Kelseyville Elementary School, and one child who attends Konocti Christian Academy. Everywhere our kids are involved, Allison has been found volunteering her time. She’s been their coach for soccer, baseball and basketball. She has volunteered for the Kelseyville Elementary PTO at every event we’ve put on, and I can’t tell you how much it means to us to be able to have someone so reliable for these events.
In addition to volunteering, Allison and her husband are the first to step forward and help sponsor an event that promotes health and education in our children, such as the first Jog-a-thon our PTO put together in April.
I can honestly say that seeing all Allison does for our community and our schools has inspired me, and is the reason I have become so involved the last couple of years. Anytime I’ve come to her with a concern or issue, she’s helped me to organize a game plan to help resolve it, and she follows through.
Last year I mentioned to her that our schools could really benefit from some sidewalks, signage and street lights along Konocti Ave and Oak HIlls lane, since these roads see so much foot traffic from children going to the schools. That very week she was out there with her youngest daughter walking the route with me and helping me pick up garbage along the way.
Six months later Congressman Mike Thompson was presenting a check to the elementary school for the funds that would go towards creating a safer walking route along Konocti Ave.
During one of our PTO meetings last year, an issue was brought up that it was hard for some people to volunteer at school functions because they couldn’t afford the costs of doing the background check. Allison immediately came up with a solution, went to the school board with her proposal, and two months later was able to report back to us that from now on, all volunteer background checks will have the fees covered by the district.
We feel very honored to have Allison and her family be a part of our school district and our community and hope to see her be able to continue the amazing work she’s been achieving.
Sarah and DJ McGrath live in Kelseyville, California.
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- Written by: Martha Mincer
I support his remaining on the board this election cycle. His approach to the schools in Kelseyville is one that is “non-political” which isn’t easy these days; it’s based on the welfare and success of our children.
To make sure all our children get the support and education they need its critical to keep “agendas” (right or left) out of the school and instead focus on providing them with the robust resources they need to grow their minds and be successful in school and in the future; science, arts, technology and how to treat each other with respect are the “critical curriculum” issues.
We absolutely want our kids to have moral and ethical touchstones — however, they learn these family values by spending time with their family and most importantly their parents who can, and should, be the ones to instill in them their family’s specific ideals.
Our kids are our community’s future. We should all be involved in strengthening our schools; coming together and working hard to ensure they receive the knowledge and skills they so desperately need to compete in today’s challenging world.
I believe that Rick Winer has and will continue to work tirelessly to do just that!
Martha Mincer lives in Kelseyville, California.
