Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mission of CoDE?
The mission of the Coalition to Defend Education is to ensure that our schools are safe, that they provide an excellent education in academic subjects, and that the learning environment is free of bias. Click here to read our full mission statement.
What does CoDE mean by wanting a school atmosphere “free of bias”?
CoDE believes that students have a right to an education based on the curriculum, not on the personal opinions of the teachers, administrators, or other school district staff. CoDE believes that the learning environment in the Snoqualmie Valley School District, and at Mount Si High School in particular, has become highly politicized over the last few years. This has resulted in school district employees who feel emboldened to push their personal opinions and agendas onto the students. Students have a right to express their personal opinions in the classroom, but teachers do not. SVSD policy #2331 TEACHING OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES gives specific rules that govern teacher behavior, but these rules are not being followed or enforced.
Why was CoDE formed?
CoDE was formed to be a united voice for parents, community members, and students in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The founding members of CoDE shared a common frustration: we had all communicated with school and district administrators individually, and our concerns were ignored. By uniting, we have a larger voice for change that cannot be ignored.
Was CoDE formed because of the events at the Martin Luther King Day assembly at Mount Si High School in January, 2008?
No. CoDE was formed in response to years of frustrations by parents who feel that their individual voices are not heard by the Snoqualmie Valley School District and Mount Si High School administrations. The MLK assembly, and, more importantly, what happened in some classrooms after the assembly, was merely the "straw that broke the camel's back" that caused parents, teachers, and community members to finally unite in order to have their voices heard.
What happened at the Martin Luther King Day assembly?
The Reverend Ken Hutcherson was invited to speak about his experiences with racial prejudice. When Rev. Hutcherson stood up to speak, a teacher in the audience booed. At the end of the assembly, another teacher broke the format of the assembly and challenged him with a question about his public statements on gay issues, which were not mentioned in his address to the students. The MLK assembly was planned by a committee of MSHS students which included several members of the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) student club. According to one of the students on this committee, the GSA club approved Rev. Hutcherson as the speaker on the condition that he not mention his opinions on gay issues. (He did not mention them, not even when challenged by the teacher at the end of the assembly.) The high school administration approved the assembly program on the understanding that the GSA had approved Rev. Hutcherson as the speaker. Following the assembly, several teachers used class time to "educate" their students about Rev. Hutcherson in the context of their personal opinions of him and their opinions on the issues of which he has publicly spoken.
What is CoDE's association with the Reverend Ken Hutcherson and his church?
The Coalition to Defend Education is a nonreligious, nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with Rev. Hutcherson or his church. The Rev. Hutcherson is not a member of CoDE.
Was CoDE for or against the recent school bond measure?
The Coalition to Defend Education did not have an official position for or against the recent school bond. We recognized that parents and community members had a wide range of personal opinions on this important issue. We openly encouraged all citizens to study the proposal, make their decision, and vote.
Is CoDE affiliated with
any national organization?
No. CoDE is an independent, non-profit corporation in Washington state formed
specifically to improve education in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. We
are not a "chapter" of any organization. We are not allied or
affiliated with any organization.
Is CoDE endorsed by other organizations?
No. CoDE does not endorse any organization, nor has it approved any endorsement from any organization. If an organization claims to endorse CoDE, it does so without the permission or knowledge of the CoDE Board of Directors and Organizing Committee. If you are aware of any implied endorsement from or affiliation with any organization, please contact CoDE with the details so we can ask the organization to retract the statement. In the future, if CoDE should endorse or accept an endorsement from another organization, that will be stated prominently on the CoDE web site: www.defendeducation.org.
Is CoDE an "anti-gay" group?
No. CoDE is not "anti-gay" or "pro-gay." We believe that all students should feel physically and emotionally safe in expressing themselves and their opinions without fear of bullying, harassment, or intimidation by other students or by teachers and administrators. We believe that the political environment at SVSD schools should be neutral so that all student opinions can be safely expressed.
Is CoDE trying to get rid of the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) at Mount Si High School?
No. CoDE has never, and will never, seek to get rid of the GSA student club. Any rumors to the contrary are just that: rumors.
What is the "Day of Silence?"
The Day of Silence is a student demonstration in which more than two hundred students make the same statement about the same controversial issue over the same period of time in the same way. The Day of Silence is a nationally organized student protest created by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and organized at Mount Si High School by the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) student club. According to the national website for the Day of Silence:
Students will hand out "Speaking Cards" which say: - "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies…" (About Day of Silence web page, http://www.dayofsilence.org/content/getinformation.html)
Currently scheduled for April 25, this would be the third year in which the demonstration is held at MSHS.
Why does CoDE want to "get rid of" the Day of Silence?
CoDE has never suggested that the Day of Silence be eliminated, but that it should be held at a designated place and time, such as before or after school, as required by school district policy. For the last two years, the Day of Silence demonstration has occupied the entire school day over the entire school property. Snoqualmie Valley School District policy #3223: FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY clearly states the requirements of demonstrations: "Peaceful demonstrations are permissible, though they are to be held in designated places where they will present no hazards to persons or property and at designated times that will not disrupt classes or other school activities."
In the past two years, participants of the Day of Silence have coerced students to join, and the Day has resulted in bullying and harassment of both participants and nonparticipants. In addition, classes have been disrupted by teachers who don't speak or don't teach normal lessons and students who refuse to participate in class. If the Day of Silence conformed to the requirements of long-standing school district policy, most, if not all, of these abuses would end.
For more information, read the following letters from CoDE to Superintendent Aune, the School Board, and MSHS Administrators:
Letter: Day of Silence violates policy 3223 - Mar. 12, 2008
Letter: Day of Silence creates unsafe and biased conditions -
Feb. 26, 2008