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April 28, 2008 8:55 AM

Teacher's union backs challenger for top school job

The Washington Education Association has endorsed Rich Semler for Superintendent of Public Instruction. That’s a powerful group lined up against the re-election of Superintendent Terry Bergeson. Bergeson is running for a fourth term for the non-partisan position.

Bergeson was once president of the WEA, the state’s largest education union. But the union has grown unhappy with her, particularly over standardized testing.

Semler is superintendent of the Richland School District. In a statement released this morning, he said:

This endorsement represents the teachers who are on the frontlines educating our children. Together we will work to refocus Washington education from testing to a more balanced curriculum that embraces high standards yet respects individual student needs and desires.

Bergeson has raised $60,000 so far, according to records filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. Semler has raised almost $43,000.

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Posted by David Blomstrom

2:31 PM, Apr 28, 2008

Semler is just another one-issue (e.g. anti-WASL) establishment candidate. THe real issue is the de facto privatization of public education, which breeds a Pandora's box of side effects, including the WASL.

Please see my campaign website at http://2008.seattle-mafia.org/

David Blomstrom

Posted by Greg Rodriguez

3:50 PM, Apr 28, 2008

David B,

As a parent and a current school board candidate in California I feel it is fine to take issue with Terry's leadership, but using the words you do on your website about her is totally inappropriate and by no means justifies you as a leader in education.

Great role model for kids-not!

David P.,

I think his link to his website should not be allowed on this site. Call me a censorer if you will, but the site is sexist, immoral, and down right libelous.

Posted by David Blomstrom

6:57 PM, Apr 28, 2008

You are a liar, a fool and a hypocrite.

"As a parent and a current school board candidate in California I feel it is fine to take issue with Terry's leadership, but using the words you do on your website about her is totally inappropriate and by no means justifies you as a leader in education."

1. It's called ACCOUNTABILITY.

2. It's hardly unique. (Ever hear the term "media wh*re"?)

"Great role model for kids-not!"

I'm a far better role model than Terry Bergeson, Bill Gates, George W. Bush or any other number of corporate operatives I could name.

"I think his link to his website should not be allowed on this site. Call me a censorer if you will, but the site is sexist, immoral, and down right libelous."

For crying out loud, U.S. troops are murdering civilians by the thousands in Iraq, and you're worried about a campaign website??? How is it sexist? Immoral?

And if it's libelous, why hasn't Terry Bergeson hit me with a lawsuit?

You sound like another brain-dead liberal who's too obsessed with civilitly to care about children or democray.

Shame on you.

Posted by Dianne

6:15 PM, Apr 29, 2008

Terry is out of touch with today's classrooms. She needs to take a break, and give the opportunity to one who has more recently been in the trenches - the real world of education. It's time for Terry to go!

Give Semler the Lead at OSPI