The Federal Way Mirror hosted a forum for 30th Legislative District candidates Oct. 14 at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Incumbent Rep. Carol Gregory and challenger Teri Hickel are running for the 30th Legislative District Position 2. Gregory is currently a board member for Federal Way Public Schools, who has held several other positions in education, including director for the Northwest Area Foundation of Burst For Prosperity. Hickel is the former executive director of Advancing Leadership, who Mayor Jim Ferrell recently recognized with a Key to the City.

Questions

The question period opened when the moderator asked the candidates what made them a better choice than their opponent.

• Gregory cited her experience working in government, business, teaching and working with the school board. She also stressed that she is willing to work across party lines.

“I know how to work on issues of policy and to see things happen. I led the school district through a very difficult time in the last two years. I now want to go work on some very difficult issues in Olympia.”

• Hickel stated that she is careful about managing funds. She also stated that she is active in the chamber and education communities as well as nonprofits.

“I think it’s because I’m ready. I’m not a politician. I’m looking at this with fresh eyes and I feel like my energy, my passion, my experience and my love for people will make me the candidate that will be great for this district.

Candidates were asked if it made sense to cut financial aid and tuition for poor students at the same time.

• Gregory stated that she did not think it made sense. She supported cutting college tuition, despite her party not supporting it. She stated that financial aid and other assists for students to get into college were important. She believes that college should be available to all students and that financial issues not block them.

• Hickel stated that she thought it was remarkable that they cut tuition. She called it refreshing that the Legislature was not letting tuition get out of hand and pricing out those who want to attend.

Another question candidates were asked about was if Gregory’s status as a school board member created a conflict of interest.

• Gregory stated that she did not believe it was a conflict. She said the responsibility of a school board member is different than the role of the legislative representative.

“I believe that it’s very important that the Legislature address the funding for schools and have less involvement in policy. Policy is for local school board members.”

She stated that she stayed on the board because she believes the new superintendent deserves stability on the board.

• Hickel stated that she believes it is a conflict of interest. She stated a person needs to be fully engaged in the the job they are doing.

“As a state legislator, you’re involved in policy and it does spill over into education. One of the main issues is fully funding education. It needs to be done in a way that you can be clear and not use some of your information you get from the school district in a way that is not non-partisan. I think you would do better serving in one case or another.

The candidates were also asked about their stance on charter schools and their feeling on the Supreme Court ruling to defund them.

• Gregory did not support charter schools and agreed with the ruling.

“I thought early on and have always believed that was unconstitutional. It’s not a matter of whether it’s a good school. It’s a what does our Constitution say and who is responsible for our schools in our constitution and how are we to use public money.”

She did praise the work of the Federal Way Public Academy and the TAF Academy.

• Hickel stated that she was a supporter of charter schools.

“I was really disappointed with the decision. I think that there are a lot of kids that are in poverty situations where they don’t have the parents or the background to excel. If they can get into a school that matches them, that’s great. It’s important that our kids, all of them, are prepared for the future in a way that meets their standards.”

Candidates were asked if they believed there were sufficient funds for the McCleary decision and if not, what funding sources did they support.

• Gregory stated that she did not believe that there was enough funding. She stated the two parties have not yet come to an agreement on what the actual cost is and do not have a plan in place as the Supreme Court is requiring them to have. She supports aspects of a levy swap, but does not support it fully.

Gregory said the Federal Way school district assessed valuation is different and has affected the amount of money that the district receives. She said that is the reason she wants to address how unfair that is in Olympia.

• Hickel believes residents of Federal Way pay too much money in tax dollars to fund schools and that she is in support of the levy swap. She called the current system dysfunctional.

She said swapping the levy funds to the state level would bring in about $29 million in revenue and lower property taxes. She also wants to increase the authority of the common schools levy and believes that the changes together would allow for most of the McCleary decision to be paid for if not all of it.

Teri Hickel sounds off on the issues during the Mirror’s candidate debate on Wednesday. Carrie Rodriguez, the Mirror

Carol Gregory, incumbent, sounds off on the issues during the Mirror’s candidate debate on Wednesday. Carrie Rodriguez, the Mirror