Letter to the Editor: New road for Reid

Our choice of metaphor will decide the future of Reid Elementary School. Do we see Reid as an "old car" that is beyond repair and expendable? Or do we see Reid as "the heart of EWU," as a vital organ for the health and future of our university? Where we stand on this urgent issue will influence the lives of hundreds of children, teachers, staff members, parents, Cheney residents and college students.

David Rey, special assistant to the [EWU] President, leaves no doubt about his perspective. A recent article in The Easterner (Nov. 12, 2008) quotes him as saying that the school is like "a car that eventually just breaks down." According to Rey, there is "nothing specific to Reid Elementary that wouldn't be being [sic] done at other schools" and it will either close now or two years from now. He clearly wants to take Reid off the road.

What does Rey's car metaphor say about Reid? He seems to imply that the school is nothing more than an old building that requires expensive maintenance during a time of budget constraints. But what about the human beings, relationships and community involved? Are physical structures and financial concerns the only factors determining the survival of an educational institution? Do EWU's president, provost, and other leaders really want to rely on the special assistant's metaphor to guide their thinking and decision-making on this important issue?

The car metaphor not only ignores the well-being of Reid students, teachers, staff and parents, but also Reid's multiple connections with EWU students, faculty and administrators. It marginalizes the interests of EWU students and employees with children at Reid, and overlooks how Reid contributes to the recruitment and retention of EWU students, faculty and administrators. And it fails to consider the diverse opportunities for teacher training, student research projects, collaboration between departments and community outreach.

In contrast, we see Reid as the heart of EWU. If lifelong learning is the main purpose of higher education, then it makes sense to nurture EWU's historical roots as a teachers' college and cherish one of the few laboratory schools in the country. Making Reid the central organ of our university would serve the needs and promote the futures of everyone involved. It would encourage children and adults at Reid to continue with innovative educational programs like the Student Enrichment Model (SEM). Such programs are simply not feasible at larger schools. It would allow EWU teachers and students from various departments to take advantage of its most unique feature: the towers from which we can observe classrooms without interrupting teachers and students. It would contribute to the recruitment and retention of EWU employees and students with children, many of whom strongly value small schools like Reid. And it would enhance EWU's ties with the Cheney community as well as clearly distinguish EWU from other universities. In short, we feel that what's good for Reid (the heart) is also good for EWU as a whole (the body).

We are aware of the financial constraints confronting EWU, but we also believe that strong foundations and hopeful visions are particularly important during these difficult times. We urge EWU leaders to avoid the old car metaphor and adopt the heart metaphor in their decision-making process. With this new perspective, we can start working together to create budgetary solutions that benefit everyone involved at EWU, both young and old.

We call on everyone who recognizes Reid's significance for EWU and Cheney to support its struggle for survival and renewal. If you are a Reid parent, talk to other parents and encourage them to join our efforts. If you are an EWU student, talk to other students and help raise awareness of the problem. If you are an EWU teacher, use Reid for student projects in your classes and urge other teachers to do the same. And if you are a Cheney resident, demand that local and state representatives make Reid an important item on their agendas. Together, let's build a new road for Reid!

Sean, Robyn and Julian Chabot