Mr. Shrontz's Education Endeavors Raise Questions of Conflict of Interest

To all members of the Joint Select Committee on Education Restructuring:

Citizens United for Responsible Education, a statewide coalition of citizen activists, supports the letter (August 12, 1997) to the Commission on Student Learning authored by Cris Shardelman, Lynn Stuter, and Roxanne Sitler. We call for the removal of Frank Shrontz from the CSL Accountability System, a legislative investigation of the reform initiative in Washington state, and the enactment of corrective legislation to restore educational decision-making to the direct purview of our elected representatives.

The content of the letter is detailed and specific, dealing with enormously complex issues. We request that you give it the study and attention that it deserves.

You will find that it documents Mr. Shrontz's numerous conflicts of interest due to his connections with Boeing and nearly every committee created to establish and promote education reform at both the state and national level. The financial interest The Boeing Company has in their contracts for holding and disseminating information on students is also a relevant factor. Mr. Shrontz has a predisposition to favor the CSL's work. His participation is analogous to having a student grade his own SAT test. Wrongdoing is not guaranteed, but the potential is high and there is appearance of impropriety.

The letter also contains a detailed analysis of the reform movement history in Washington. It reveals a corrupt process that gives only the illusion of public input. If a small group of people decided ahead of time what legislation, contracts, regulations, etc. were needed to realize their agenda, then proceeded as if these already existed before the proper legal changes were made, this constitutes unethical, if not illegal, conduct. It deserves appropriate legislative investigation and oversight.

The legislature has given its authority over to non-elected bureaucrats, beyond the reach of the public. It is time to take it back!

Sincerely,

Marda K. Kirkwood,

Chair, CURE

October 20, 1997