Letters
- Details
- 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.
- Details
- 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.
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- Written by: Sabrina Bailey
My name is Sabrina Bailey and I have known Allison both personally and professionally for more than 15 years and as such, I have had countless opportunities over the years to observe and interact with Allison in many capacities. Given my experiences with Allison, I am confident that she will continue to be a positive addition to the Kelseyville School Board and I give her my highest recommendation.
My relationship with Allison began when she was my daughter’s preschool teacher more than 15 years ago. As a teacher for my daughter, Allison was exceptional. She went above and beyond in all capacities and my daughter still talks about her and remembers her fondly (and she’s now 19 years old). Allison’s care, knowledge, and extensive experience with children makes her an absolute asset to the school board.
I am a Registered Nurse at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and in this capacity I also had the pleasure of connecting with Allison when she was employed in administration at the hospital. While we didn’t work directly together, when I interacted with Allison, I observed her to be kind, efficient, and an overall asset to the hospital.
I also became aware of a project that Allison spearheaded as a board member after her employment at the hospital to bring additional resources and support to community members struggling with addiction.
This work speaks to Allison’s commitment to the Lake County community which makes her an ideal candidate to continue her role on the Kelseyville School Board.
Sabrina Bailey, RN, BSN, WCC, lives in Lakeport, California.
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- Written by: Dan Tyrrell
“That’s the way that we can make a change in Sacramento. So much better than having 1000 people standing outside the capital [sic] building being ignored.”
This was written by south Lake County businessman, associate pastor at Jesus Christ Fellowship and Middletown Unified School District candidate Hank Lescher.
Hank Lescher has repeatedly regurgitated unsupported statistics, has written and shared anti-LGBTQIA viewpoints and embraces QAnon conspiracy theories.
Ironically, Hank advertises himself as the “family values” candidate. While I am sure there are some people who agree with Hank in using our kids as political pawns in their disagreements with Sacramento, I am not one of them.
I have felt that turning our schools into battlegrounds was the goal for people like Hank. I am not surprised that he thinks it, but I am surprised that he came out and yelled it from the mountain top.
Hank’s position is dangerous for our schools. I know that probably sounds like hyperbole, but if you think about it, what happens if the school district takes his approach? Will the state take over the school district? Will the parents who have children that are adversely affected by his irresponsibility file legal action against the school district? How will these actions impact our district’s budget and its ability to attract and retain quality educators? What happens to our property values when the school district is taken over by the state or loses teachers because the budget is impacted by lawsuits?
I understand that this is an important issue to a lot of people. If you feel strongly about it, go about it the right way. Write your assemblyperson, write your senator, write the paper, picket in Sacramento, vote, yell at Newsom, run for those offices in which you can make those changes.
Our schools are not battlegrounds. Our kids are not weapons. Please don’t use them as such.
Dan Tyrrell lives in Middletown, California.
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