Bill Bentley

Bill Bentley Superintendent, who costs the Sequim School District over $120,000 a year, has repeatedly refused comment on the newly proposed "Calculator Law" that bans calculators from Sequim elementary schools. Why Mr. Bentley refuses to comment on a law the majority of Sequim residents and students support is a mystery. Accountability, and lack of accountability is always an issue in school districts. Could it be the Bill Bentley is trying to avoid his responsibility and avoid accountability ? He appears to not be capable of the strong leadership needed on this issue. Our kids and our are community are in the balance here.

If you were paid $120,000 a year and were asked an important Yes or No question do you think you should have to answer Yes or No ?

In a rather lame effort to politically address the issue, Bill Bentley released a letter saying "I do not believe that calculators should serve as a substitute for the skill of immediate recall of basic math facts." In the same letter he offered no plan or strategy to address the obvious gap of "immediate recall of basic math facts" facing the Sequim Elementary School elementary school students. Furthermore, he refuses to take a position one way or the other regarding banning calculators altogether from Elementary School. Are we the citizens of Sequim getting our $120,000 worth ? He appears to be playing politics and weak leadership games with a very critical Sequim community issue.

Bill Bentley is in charge of a school district where the majority of High School and Middle School Students can't pass the minimum math requirements that the state has set. Most Sequim residents are concerned about falling math competency in this Sequim school district. But at this point in time Bill Bentley has neither unveiled a plan to deal with these deficient math scores, nor has commented on the Calculator one way or the other. Middle School teachers are struggling to prepare students for high school because to many students enter Middle School not having memorized "basic math facts". And Bill Bentley ?

From the school district he came from before, Vancouver, WA School District, they had similar problemic math scores at the high school level - with only 47.8% passing math WASL. It seems that this Superintendent needs to be watched carefully and the question of whether he is taking seriously the academic success of Sequim's students needs to be asked.

"No elementary student will use a calculator on school property at any time. The Superintendent of the School District will be held directly responsible for carrying out this law."

Ask yourself 2 questions: Do you agree with the Calculator Law ? Do you think the Sequim School District Superintendent should have to comment one way or the other on it ? 90% of both students and adults surveyed recently have said Yes to both questions. By saying nothing, Bill appears to say NO to both questions.

By the way, here are Bill Bentley's goals as of August 2007, do you see any mention of the word "Math" ? I guess the majority of highschoolers failing the Math WASL is not anything to mention on Bill's "goal list".

1. Develop a strong District Leadership Team

a. Arrange opportunities for District Leaders including board members, administrators, and community members to engage in dialogue.

2. Foster and develop relationship with staff.

a. Schedule regular visitations to schools.

b. Include staff members on District committees/Task Force

c. Complete contract negotiations.

3. Establish and support consistent growth of student performance.

a. Facilitate the analysis of District Assessment results

b. Establish District Expectations of use of assessment results.

4. Identify and implement District Communication Priorities.

a. Identify key District messages.

b. Calendar District communication efforts

c. Facilitate adoption of 07-08 District Communication Plan

5. Maintain superintendent visibility in schools and community.

a. Schedule visitation to schools

b. Attend student events

c. Participate in community organizations.

6. Maintain a healthy fiscal position while meeting the needs of students.

a. Maintain established District reserves amounts.

b. Review in detail the District expenditure plan.

c. Allocate resources within limitations of revenue generated.

d. Suggest cost saving strategies

7. Continue the District examination and upgrade of facilities.

a. Participate as a member of the District Facilities Committee

b. Develop a facilities vision statement.

Of course, the value of Sequim Real Estate is effected by the Sequim School District failing math program, and that's why the Real Estate industry tries, rather ineffectively, to keep an eye on the school district with financial support and other methods.

Bill Bentley Superintendent of Sequim School District, WA area. Here's a picture of Bill Bentley. Bill Bentley is the Superintendent of Sequim Schools, the School District, and reports to the Sequim School Board. Here's a picture of Bill Bentley: