Candidates well-schooled in board duties

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Two of the five seats on the Yakima School District Board of Directors are up for grabs this election.

Of the four candidates vying for those spots, three have served -- or are serving -- on the school board. Two are incumbents. Two are retired. One taught in the district for 30 years. Another taught in the district for just over eight.

All of them identify several key issues -- making tough budget decisions, implementing the new Measurements of Student Progress and High School Proficiency exams, and coordinating upcoming construction projects, specifically replacing Eisenhower High School, modernizing Davis High School and renovating six other schools.

The construction will be paid for through a 20-year, $114 million bond measure approved by taxpayers in May.

The board oversees policy for the biggest school district in central Washington. With more than 14,500 students, the largest concentration of Latino students in the state of Washington and an operating budget of about $158 million, the district ranks 18th in size statewide.

Here's a look at both school board races.

Navarro vs. Scoggins

Raymond Navarro Jr. has served on the board for three years and says the current economy -- including state and school district budgets -- is the top issue facing the district in the coming term. He's particularly concerned about finances for the 2011-12 school year.

His approach to making cuts includes evaluating programs "to determine where we're getting the most bang for our buck."

"I'm a systems thinker," he said. "For me, it's all about efficiency. It's all about remaining focused on student achievement."

He describes himself as a receptive board member and a good listener.

"I want to use my expertise, my experience, to help provide quality education for all students," Navarro said.

He also wants to continue working with new superintendent Elaine Beraza, whom the board hired earlier this year. He's impressed with her "collaborative leadership" style, and says he's confident "she can make those tough decisions when she needs to."

Math scores and early learning are two more top priorities for Navarro. So is the construction at Ike and Davis.

Navarro, who coaches a Grid Kids football team, favors remodeling -- rather than rebuilding -- Zaepfel Stadium, which he calls a community landmark. But, he said, "It needs a facelift."

Jim Scoggins resigned his post on the school board in 2006 to care for his late mother-in-law. He has more time now and wants to dedicate it to serving Yakima schools.

"The No. 1 reason I'm running is I have the time, and I'm committed to keeping in touch with the schools," said Scoggins, adding that if he's elected he plans to visit each school twice.

"Board meetings are definitely not enough," he said. "I'm not a school board meeting school board member. I think you have to do a lot more than that. You have to get out to the schools."

Scoggins sees the top issues as the construction of Ike and overhaul of Davis -- and involving community members in the process.

"I want to help ensure we get a full range of input ... that nobody goes away feeling like the district didn't hear their input on these two schools," he said.

Technology is "right at the top" of his priority list for the two high schools. So is artificial turf at Zaepfel Stadium, regardless of whether it's remodeled or rebuilt.

His other top concerns are low math scores and large class sizes.

"In difficult times, I think you should cut administration first," Scoggins said. "The thing you fight to preserve is class size. I think you fight everywhere down the line to keep from raising it."

Raymond Navarro Jr.

Age: 45

Occupation: Manager of the Special Projects Department for OIC of Washington

Previously held elected office: Yakima school board, November 2006 to present

Education: Associate degree, Yakima Valley Community College; bachelor's degree in psychology, Central Washington University; master's of education in counseling, Heritage University; bachelor's degree in theology, Latin American Theological Seminary, Springfield, Mo.; master's in human and organizational systems, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Jim Scoggins

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired sports editor, Yakima Herald-Republic

Previously held elected office: Yakima school board, November 2001 to 2006

Education: Bachelor's degree in English education, University of Washington

Ranta vs. Lee

Incumbent Walt Ranta is nearing the end of his first term. And he wants to continue working on construction projects and working with the new superintendent.

Ranta taught in the district for 30 years before retiring in 2004, and lists new standardized state exams, math scores and technology as top issues. But overall, he views the budget as the district's biggest challenge.

"We're pretty sound for this year and next year," he said. But, "The third year out ... we just don't know what's going to come down from the state and the federal (government)."

Though retired, he still works as a substitute teacher in nearby districts and serves as president of the Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood Association.

"What I think I bring to the table is the point of view of someone who's been in the classroom," he said.

Being on the board offers a chance to make a difference "on a broader scale," Ranta said. "Maybe I can help the people in the classrooms as they are helping students."

His approach: "You have to listen to all sides."

Whatever the issue, Ranta said, "Everything's got to be done for the kids. By connection, their future is our future."

Earl S. Lee favors higher salaries for teachers and para-educators, and believes they should have more say in district affairs. He also says he values open dialogue between administrators and representatives of the Yakima Education Association, the teachers' union.

On his list of issues facing the district are afterschool programs, programs for disadvantaged and homeless youth, the budget and the economy. He also cites gang prevention and intervention, drop-out rates and literacy.

"You've got to implement programs that teach kids how to read," said Lee, who supports enhanced ethics curriculum and isolating known gang members in their own programs.

"You have to teach these kids morals and ethics," he said.

Lee worked for the Yakima School District from 1985 to 1993 as a teacher in its alternative programs. The district fired him after he was charged with second-degree theft for renting a house he didn't own to a couple left homeless after a fire. He was convicted, but the state Supreme Court in November 1995 overturned the conviction, ruling that while Lee's actions were deceptive, he "secured them (the couple) the housing both they and the Red Cross desired."

In his campaign for the school board, Lee touts his background in education, and that "I'm born and raised in Yakima."

He added, "I know the school system. I know a lot of teachers and principals. I'm pretty well entrenched with the Yakima School District, alternative schools and programs, and afterschool programs."

Walt Ranta

Age: 58

Occupation: Retired teacher and coach. Works as a substitute teacher in neighboring districts and as a part-time intern funeral director

Previously held elected office: Yakima school board, November 2005 to present

Education: Bachelor's degree in education, specializing in social studies in secondary education; continuing education and other graduate-level courses, Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University)

Earl S. Lee

Age: 55

Occupation: Teacher at Yakama Nation Tribal School.

Previously held elected office: None.

Education: Associate degree, Yakima Valley Community College; bachelor's degree in education, Central Washington University; bachelor's degree in history, University of Washington; master's in education, CWU; and special education endorsement from Heritage University