Wilson adds to Voter Angst

Mike Wilson a Democrat running the 44th legislative district has stirred up voter angst over his methods of soliciting student athletes to help in running flyers door to door and the use of public resources to conduct campaign business.

The particular event that is being called into question here started with an email to Cross-Country parents at Cascade High School giving the weekly schedule for the team. One timeline item stood out from the others giving the students the option of running for 30min or meeting at McCollum Park at 3pm to help with Mike Wilson’s campaign.

“Wednesday (Oct 15th) - You will either do a 30 minute run at Cascade, or... You will meet at McCollum Park @ 3:00 p.m. to help run flyers for the Mike Wilson campaign. Cascade, Jackson & Glacier Peak cross-country teams will be helping with Mike Wilson's campaign. The Everett Herald will be doing a story on it. You may get your picture in the paper! Make sure you have transportation worked out. We will be dropping flyers on doorsteps from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Pioneer Trails, Silver Lake & Hilton Lake areas…..” email from school staff.

According to Snohomish School District spokesperson Kristin Foley, “Students can doorbell if they want to”. An official statement is expected Monday on district policy regarding public employees (Teachers/Coaches) using district resources to help a political campaign.*

The obvious over-reach by Wilson’s campaign to use their power and trust to involve coaches from Cascade High School, among others, has brought quick condemnation from Cascade Principal Cathy Woods. In a letter dated Oct 17, 2014 she wrote,

“Dear Parents and Guardians of Cross Country Athletes
on Wednesday, October 15, our Cross Country coaches asked your student to take part in assisting a political campaign. This should never have happened. I have taken action to ensure that it does not happen again. School staff may engage in political activities on their own time, using their own private resources, and not during school hours. Students are also free to volunteer in political campaigns, but they should not be asked to do so by district employees during the school day or at school activities. In our work with students, we emphasize the importance of "doing the right thing. Students who felt uncomfortable about Wednesday's request did the right thing by sharing their discomfort, and I am grateful to them for having shared their uneasiness. ” Cathy Woods Principal, Cascade High School

The Snohomish Times has attempted to contact Mike Wilson’s Campaign for comment but have yet to hear back. We have also contacted both the Snohomish School District A.D. Mark Albertine and Everett School District A.D. Robert Polk to outline their policies regarding coercing students into helping a political campaign. We are expecting to get a response back from them on Monday also.

Parents that we have spoken with are outraged at the tactics used to further a political campaign.

Using student labor to help a candidate is nothing new. When it’s done in accordance with state campaign laws and follows the school districts policies, it can be a positive learning experience for the children. However, when it’s done for no other reason than to advance a candidates' position and public resources are used, including positions of authority to push students toward a particular candidate, it becomes a violation of trust and a question of ethical responsibility.

Taxpayers have made it clear they want to trust that the public resources they pay for are being used to accomplish the tasks that they were intended, not supplementing someone’s private advancement or other agenda. Residents told us it goes not only for campaigning but any private advancement or personal gain on the public dime.

Feedback can be forwarded to editor@snohomishtimes.com

*CLARIFICATION: Foley is correct, students are allowed to voluntarily doorbell and as far as the coaches being involved, Foley will send a statement Monday. Foley was not confirming or making a statement on employee involvement.