Riley Sweeney
My name is J. Riley Sweeney and I am running for Meridian School Board, po. 5. As a proud Meridian parent, I’ve been impressed by the district’s dedicated staff and teachers who give it their all despite difficult budgets, a global shutdown, and the growing impacts of tough economic times. Meridian needs our help and I am ready to fight for the health and well-being of our schools and children.
I will advocate for the salaries, support staff and equipment our schools desperately need so we can recruit and retain quality educators. We need more helping hands in the classroom rather than administrators in the office. I will fight for arts, theater, and enrichment programs that keep our children engaged in school and out of trouble.
Schools should be where individuals are respected and creativity nurtured. Where teachers are able to encourage inquisitive minds and the partisan politics dividing our country are not invited to the table. Schools should be safe places to learn, share, create, and build success without fear.
As Ferndale’s recreation coordinator, I created quality experiences for communities to come together. By bringing that same passion and commitment to the School Board, we can make Meridian a place where ALL students and families are welcome. Please vote for me, J. Riley Sweeney, Position 5. You can learn more about my values, experience, and ideas for the Meridian School District at www.sweeneyforschoolboard.com
What are you talking about… Please Confirm Christopher
My mistake, I looked further and it was the Meridian Parent Letter that he commented on. I apologize for my confusion.
At any rate, when a school board candidate says “I urge the Meridian School Board to ignore the panicked voices of today [of parents],” it should raise some red flags. Parents are “panicked” because kids are being subjected to Leftist ideology in the classroom. We need school board directors willing to listen to our concerns, not ignore them as Riley Sweeney suggests in his comment.
I do agree with much of your assessment. Kids and their safety in a learning environment that is filled with the top priority of student learning the basics of a good life long learning.
I’m always happy to listen to the concerns of parents but having listened to the concerns of parents specific to Critical Race Theory – something that is not being taught and will not be taught at Meridian School District – I urged the school board to move on and focus on the work of our schools, not the flavor of the month from national political news.
Nice try. The letter specifically says, “Potential curriculum regarding subject matter of perceived explicit Sexual Education and teachings of Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not in alignment with age-appropriate skills or our values. This curriculum crosses social, political, and emotional boundaries.” Potential. These parents were worried that race essentialism and inappropriate sexual content would enter the school and you encouraged the board to ignore them.
It would seem that some of Mr. Sweeney’s previous comments on Fourth Corner News have been removed or hidden. Specifically his comments regarding the Open Letter to the Bellingham School District. Can you confirm this Charlie?