As the parent of a Bellevue School District student, I have been concerned for at least the last seven years about the district’s emphasis on being near the top of the “best in the nation” list. While our schools push AP classes, children who are average or have special needs are ignored in favor of creating more opportunities for the brightest and the best. Our family experienced it the entire time my child was at Newport High School.

To be fair, I will grant that ignoring students who can’t or don’t take AP classes is not the intent of our schools. But it is certainly the effect of the BSD’s overwhelming focus on being “the best in the nation.”

Changing our schools’ emphasis from “best in the nation” to “educating all our students” must come from its leadership.

I believe Steve McConnell understands the importance of initiating this change on behalf of all our students. That is why I have endorsed him, and that is why I am voting for him.

Nancy Kasmar, Bellevue