Editor’s note: this letter was written to Kent School District Superintendent Edward Vargas and also forwarded to The Reporter.

Dear Superintendent Vargas,

My children attend Cedar Valley Elementary and Kentlake High School. My children have also attended Grass Lake Elementary and Cedar Heights Junior High School. As a parent with very strong ties to this district, I regret not sending you a welcoming e-mail earlier. I fear you have been placed into an untenable situation. Perhaps I should further introduce myself to you before I touch on a few subjects.

My family moved from the Burien area to our home 13 years ago. An instrumental factor in the move was that my wife and I had grown up and lived through many levy failures within the Highline School District. I recall as an eighth grader we were cut from six to five classes per day! I knew I wanted more for more children. In my 13 years here, I cannot recall a single levy that did not pass. Constantly, I wondered why the board did not ask for more to support the children and the staff at the schools and district office.

Obviously, we are in a different economy than only a few years ago, and such levies are now probably a pipe dream. Still, the fact remains that our students are our future. My commitment to these children has spanned more than a decade.

Upon my move to our district, I volunteered as coach and recording secretary of the Covington Community Center. The next year, I became president of the center. I continued to coach many teams in various sports for the next decade plus. I was named Covington Parks Coach of the Year in 2005, and Cedar Valley PTA’s Outstanding Advocate in January 2008.

As our small city began to bloom (and struggle) many influences fell upon the center, and the center was folded into the city as part of Covington’s Park and Recreation Department. Due to a budget shortage, Covington cut funding to all team athletics provided by Covington parks. Covington Community Sports sought and obtained the rights to “replace” Covington Parks in these areas.

I am the founding president of Covington Community Sports. This is a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit corporation built on the foundation that recreational sports is vital to a community. I have worked with so many of the principals, teachers, custodians and administrative staff, working to provide these children a safe, local, quality venue to explore recreational activities that they are far too much to be mentioned here.

Finally, in short, and candidly, I find the position you and the Board have taken to be less than fair. I understand the complexities of collective bargaining (another story) and, I believe the Board and former Superintendent Grohe have set you up to fail. The timing for her retirement and your hiring smacks of the realization that this collection bargaining session was doomed. Thus, after sincere thought (and speaking with many parents in my area) I believe you are either a victim of the Board that hired you, or a “hired gun” that became known to the Board through some way. Please note that neither do I want to diminish your hiring to a mere hatchet man, nor suggest you did not understand the depth of this current negotiation.

This community is behind their teachers. Make no mistake about this. While not intimately involved with the negotiations, our populace not only see these individuals as teachers, but as our neighbors, our children’s coaches and our children’s mentors. While it would be preferable to get our children back as soon as practicable, I believe a vast majority of my neighbors understand the necessity of the current strike and will continue to support the current Kent Education Association strike.

Superintendent Vargas, I realize the board is pressing you to “win this crucial one.” However, if an unacceptable contract is continually brought forth to your teachers, you only further undermine your administration’s ability to gain respect of the people that keep this district running. I am not only speaking of the teachers, but the custodians, administrative staff and others that count on this district to support their families.

Please reconsider your decision to involve the state. I truly believe you will only undermine your position and future respect if you and the board continue on the current chosen path. There are many families here that want to support you and your new administration. Please show you are worthy of this.

Jeff Bennett

Kent