Elections Database
Bethel School district 4« Go back
Joy Cook
Residence: Graham
Contact: 360-893-6393
E-mail: tnjcook@comcast.net
Occupation: Office Manager

Experience: Bethel School District: PTA Member, 1984-2006; Golden Acorn Awards, Graham Elementary/Frontier Junior; School volunteer, 1986-present; district co-volunteer of the year, 1992; Planning team, Frontier Junior, 1991-1992; School Board, 1995-present; Washington State School Directors Association, Nominating Committee, 2004-present; Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Graham, 1986-present; choir director, 1988-present; Boys and Girls Club of South Pierce County, board member, 2005-present

Education: Diploma, Goldendale High School, Goldendale, WA, 1966; B.A., communications (journalism), Washington State University, 1970.

District voters have passed two bond measures in recent years to build new schools and renovate old ones. Is this enough to help the district cope with its growing population or, if not, what addition
With the 2001 bond we built Graham Kapowsin High, and replaced Spanaway Junior High and Kapowsin and Thompson elementaries. With the 2006 bond we will build a junior high and two elementaries, and renovate or replace Spanaway Lake High and Shining Mountain, Clover Creek and Spanaway elementaries. If the current projections are correct we will then have enough housing for secondary students. However, we know we will still need a future bond for elementary schools.

Do you support the district’s efforts to build a regional skills center that would offer vocational-technical courses for multiple school districts in Pierce County? Why or why not?
I wholeheartedly support a Skills Center for Pierce County students. The center has been a dream for years. Bethel cannot afford to build a multi-program vocational high school by itself. By purchasing the site in Bethel and then partnering with other districts we can receive a higher level of state funding. Then we can provide a center where high school students can learn valuable employment skills or prepare themselves for more training after high school.

What more should the district do to address math education and raise math scores?
Our district will continue to work with the state to clarify the math expections for our students. Locally, we will provide professional development for our elementary teachers to effectively use our new kindergarten-fifth grade math curriculum, and hire math coaches to support our secondary teachers. We have also added classes which use varied approaches to math instruction. These steps were successful in reading and writing, and the same outstanding results can be accomplished in math.

Personal Statement:
Bethel School District: PTA Member, 1984-2006; Golden Acorn Awards, Graham Elementary/Frontier Junior; School volunteer, 1986-present; district co-volunteer of the year, 1992; Planning team, Frontier Junior, 1991-1992; School Board, 1995-present; Washington State School Directors Association, Nominating Committee, 2004-present; Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Graham, 1986-present; choir director, 1988-present; Boys and Girls Club of South Pierce County, board member, 2005-present

David Hamwey
Residence: Graham
Contact: 253-732-3707
E-mail: dhamwey@hotmail.com
Occupation: Network Manager

Experience: I have over 10 years experience in public education. Held the position of Director of Science curriculum, and participant in the OMSI physical science project. I have worked with a panel of teachers to develop district-wide behavioral objectives for math and science. Many years experience in responsible positions within corporate management, working with people and adult education. I have been a foster parent and worked with foster care agencies and child advocacy groups.

Education: B.S., Education, State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta, 1968; MS, Secondary Science Education (SUNY) at Oneonta, 1972; CNE (Certified Network engineer), 1995; various courses in computer programming languages such as Fortran, Cobal, RPGII, Basic, Pascal, & C++, 1972-1995; building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks, Ascolta Training, 2006

District voters have passed two bond measures in recent years to build new schools and renovate old ones. Is this enough to help the district cope with its growing population or, if not, what additional steps should the district take?
It is a given that our existing schools are over-populated. New schools need to be built to handle the growing population. I am not confident that the money is being managed and spent to the district's best advantage. I feel the budget needs to be carfully analyzed and determine where the money will best benefit the students.

Do you support the district’s efforts to build a regional skills center that would offer vocational-technical courses for multiple school districts in Pierce County? Why or why not?
I am opposed to spending money where we already have technical schools that offer good programs in a wide variety of courses under running-start. I feel the college atmosphere also provides the students with a alternate approach to learning that enable many students to thrive, where the high school environment failed.

What more should the district do to address math education and raise math scores?
I feel the math program has not been hugely successful due to a lack of motivation and creative instructional techniques in the classroom. The classroom teacher is the professional who is responsible for the learning and motivation that takes please in the classroom. We need to provide the incentive and opportunities for the teacher to inspire students to grasp the concepts needed to achive in this area.

Personal Statement:
I have over 10 years experience in public education. Held the position of Director of Science curriculum, and participant in the OMSI physical science project. I have worked with a panel of teachers to develop district-wide behavioral objectives for math and science. Many years experience in responsible positions within corporate management, working with people and adult education. I have been a foster parent and worked with foster care agencies and child advocacy groups.

Rick Payne
Residence: Graham
Contact: 360-893-3191
E-mail: rickpayne@centurytel.net

Experience: Former International Brotherhood Teamsters officer; PTA member; PTSA Member

Education: Graduated MT. Tahoma High School; Grievance & Arbitration Training; Contract Negotiations & Mediation Training through Teamsters Union

District voters have passed two bond measures in recent years to build new schools and renovate old ones. Is this enough to help the district cope with its growing population or, if not, what addition
No, it is not enough money for the two bond measures for the district to survive. With hundreds of new families moving in we are faced with going back to the drawing board and building more new schools than we originally budgeted for. To fund the new schools and take care of the oversize classroom problems it takes more money and more bonds. Lets face it - the school district and the parents should do everything it takes to make our children successful.

Do you support the district’s efforts to build a regional skills center that would offer vocational-technical courses for multiple school districts in Pierce County? Why or why not?
At first I didn’t because Clover Park & Bates Vocational were in the area. However I changed my mind due to the fact the classes are always full and the distance for our Bethel school students to drive is too far. I don’t want our children to be left out or turned down due to travel reasons or full classrooms. We must do everything in our power to help our Bethel students out and train them in furthering their careers.

What more should the district do to address math education and raise math scores?
Currently what we are doing is not working. I would suggest smaller class sizes with no more than twenty students per teacher in the classroom. This will help and give more one-on-one time with the teacher. I also would put a teacher aide in the math classes to help out as well. Trying to fund this program of smaller class sizes would come from setting up with the local colleges in the area teacher training for all the new teachers trying to earn degrees in education. They would come down and actually take a class and apply their teaching skills to the students. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Personal Statement:
Former International Brotherhood Teamsters officer; PTA member; PTSA Member