Soap Lake School District position two candidates invited to speak at forum

EPHRATA — Candidates for Soap Lake School District position two were invited to speak at a political forum hosted by the American Legion in Ephrata.

Wanda Fencl had five minutes to speak to introduce herself and speak on her views to an audience at the American Legion building. Fencl had one minute to respond to each question from attendees and emcee Mike Montaney during the ten-minute question and answer period.

Incumbent John Marthini did not attend.

Fencl spoke about her history as a Soap Lake resident and her ties to the schools.

“I have lived in Soap Lake for roughly 40 years and owned property here,” she said. “I have put two sons through Soap Lake schools and am in the process of putting two great grandchildren through there. I also have a grandson who is a singer there this year.”

Fencl said she owns two local businesses. One is Wanda’s Country Café in Ephrata and the other is Desert Diner in Soap Lake.

“I have been involved in the Soap Lake School District for approximately 38 years,” Fencl said. “I have worked with the Head Start program when it first started in 1968 and was with them for approximately five and a half years.”

Fencl stated she was a teacher’s aide in the elementary school in 1980 and tutored Soap Lake High School students, helping them graduate.

Fencl said she served as chairman of the Soap Lake School Board for about nine years.

“If elected, I will make sound decisions based on the information that is presented to me, only after all discussions have been answered and addressed and all the ideas have been researched,” Fencl said. “I would like to see the harmony brought back to our school and to our community.”

Fencl stated her goal is to build a better education system for the children.

“The emphasis needs to be on the students, not how much money (the district) can spend but how we can spend that money on the education and the books that we need to teach our children,” she said.

Fencl said her interests are in the community and the school.

“I have the education of the children and their future at heart,” Fencl said. “If I am elected, I will do my best to fulfill these goals and to try to uplift the great community of Soap Lake and the school district.”

Montaney brought up the Kent teachers, stating they went on strike because they were displeased with large class sizes. He asked Fencl what she would do in a similar situation.

“For one thing I think there should be a teacher and a teacher’s aid in all classes no matter the size,” she said. “I think all teachers do need to have help in their classrooms.”

She mentioned there were teachers instructing class sizes of 30 during her time as a teacher’s aid.

“I think that is too many for one teacher to teach,” she said.

Montaney asked what areas Fencl would cut if a budget shortfall forced the school board to cut back. He listed sports, fine arts, teachers and staff support as examples.

“I think that is a hard decision but I’d have to start with fine arts,” Fencl said. “Unless we are over-staffed I don’t want to ever cut back on staff.”

Fencl was asked what her stance is on the development and improvement of athletic fields.

“Well, I know this is not very good for me, but I don’t think we should have that many sports in school,” she said. “I think basketball and baseball are terrific and their fields need to be safe to play on, but I really don’t think they should have football in school.”

Fencl said too many children are hurt and killed in football.

An audience member brought up changes made in school administration. Fencl was asked if she thought the changes were adequate and if more were coming.

“I think there will be some changes done there,” she said. “I don’t think they need to have a superintendent if they have a high school principal and an elementary principal.”