Submitted by John Arbeeny, Lakewood Cares.
Below are SchoolDigger.com academic percentile rankings of Clover Park School District (CPSD) and the District’s schools for 2022 and 2023. These percentile rankings compare the academic performance of all districts and schools in Washington State relative to each other and are based upon Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) data. For instance a district ranked at 90 percentile academically would perform better than 90% of all other districts. Similarly, as in the case of CPSD, a 28.5 percentile ranking would mean it only out performed 28.5% of other districts and conversely was outperformed by 71.5% of other districts.
https://www.schooldigger.com/go/WA/district/01410/search.aspx
The figures below provide a trend for academic progress or failure over the last two-year time frame. In contrast, OSPI Report Card as published on their website is only an annual “snapshot” of academic performance for the current year. OSPI does not appear to publish readily available long-term academic performance data which, unfortunately, does not permit an easy, transparent assessment of academic trends over time.
https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/
If you were expecting academic progress post-COVID, you’ll be disappointed. The Clover Park School District’s overall ranking saw an insignificant increase of 0.6 percentile (six tenths of one percent) which can be attributed to the above-average double-digit improvement in 6 out of 22 District schools: all elementary schools (Beechwood +14.6%, Lake Louise +7.4%, Rainier 6.8%, Evergreen +24.3%, Four Heros +6.7% and Tillicum +11.6%).
Other than these 6 bright spots the remainder of the 16 District schools showed declines or insignificant percentile gains. Thirteen of 22 schools fell below the 28.5% District average. Ten of 22 schools fell in percentile, 4 of which were double-digit decreases.
At best this represents a slight marginal improvement overall. There are some very worrisome downward trends developing in the District’s high schools and middle schools which declined significantly by double digits (Lakes, Harrison, Thomas) or which remained mired in mediocrity (Clover Park, Lockburn, Hudtloff). Indeed, if one considers only the District’s high school and middle school performance, their percentile would be at 19.17, which means 80%+ of Washington’s high schools and middle schools are outperforming those of Clover Park School District. These are not “success” stories; quite the opposite.
| School Digger rankings (District) | 2022 | 2023 | % change |
| Clover Park School District | 27.9% | 28.5% | +0.6% |
| High Schools | 2022 | 2023 | % change |
| Clover Park | 3.0% | 6.8% | +3.8% |
| Harrison Prep | 58.4% | 45.1% | -13.3% |
| Lakes | 47.2% | 31.4% | -15.8% |
| Middle Schools | 2022 | 2023 | % change |
| Hudtloff | 7.6% | 10.4% | +2.8% |
| Lochburn | 2.0% | 2.6% | +0.6% |
| Thomas | 30.3% | 18.7% | -11.6% |
| Elementary Schools | 2022 | 2023 | % change |
| Beachwood | 73.6% | 88.2% | +14.6% |
| Carter Lake | 67.9% | 69.0% | +1.1% |
| Custer | 24.1% | 26.3% | +2.2% |
| Dower | 22.3% | 19.4% | -2.9% |
| Evergreen | 20.3% | 44.6% | +24.3% |
| Four Heroes | 5.7% | 12.4% | +6.7% |
| Hillside | 30.3% | 24.1% | -6.2% |
| Idlewild | 38.4% | 25.7% | -12.7% |
| Lake Louise | 28.2% | 35.6% | +7.4% |
| Lake View | 15.7% | 12.7% | -3.0% |
| Merriwether | 73.1% | 69.8% | -3.3% |
| Oakbrook | 29.3% | 33.3% | +4.0% |
| Park Lodge | 5.9% | 2.2% | -3.7% |
| Rainier | 64.7% | 71.5% | +6.8% |
| Tillicum | 7.2% | 18.8% | +11.6% |
| Tyee Park | 6.2% | 2.2% | -4.0% |
It’s time to take off the blinders and admit that the District and many of its schools are academically headed in a downward trajectory while many at the bottom are perhaps beyond hope unless an intense focus is placed on their academic achievement. Enough with the District’s “happy face” public relations on how great things are in the District: they are not! When is this problem going to be addressed publicly as the first step in fixing it?
John Arbeeny
Lakewood CARES
lakewoodcares.org
Mr. Arbeeny & Implacable LC Friends,
Doubtless you have a fix in mind. Monday, Oct. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in room 4 of the Student Services Center, should provide opportunity to share your insightful wisdom; maybe dust off those neglected library shelves where weevils gather.
What have your comments to do with the facts laid out in my article other than sarcasm? Are you not concerned that there has been a general decline overall in academic performance? How about our high and middle schools? What about perennial academic failures like Clover Park High School, Lochburn Middle School and Tyee Park Elementary? Where are the priorities in the CPSD budget to lift these schools academically: there aren’t any.
And now CPSD wants more money so they can do it poorly faster!
As you well know I and others have made many suggestions to improve academic performance in articles and responses to articles in the Suburban Times, Facebook and else where. Do you not remember them or is it that you only remember to dismiss them? “Insightful wisdom” demands that you must first admit that there is a problem before you can solve the problem: it’s the first step in the problem solving process. Look it up! When has that happened on the CPSD Board, Superintendent or staff in the recent or not so recent past? Until that happens “solutions” to an undefined problem are moot.
It’s important to note that SchoolDigger school rankings are based on Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) data. Critics who deny the validity of SchoolDigger rankings are, in turn, denying OSPI data.
In response to Mr. Warfield, it is not Mr. Arbeeny’s responsibility to “fix” Clover Park School District academic performance. That responsibility lies in the hands of District employees under the leadership of School Board Directors. If I understand correctly, public comment is not allowed at the second school board regular meeting/workshop of each month. In fact, multiple suggestions have been made at the first meeting of each month for the last two years by Mr. Arbeeny and multiple community members, seemingly to no avail when School Board Directors’ votes are tallied, usually by a typical vote of the same three directors’ votes to the two who have consistently tried to implement change in the last two years.
Again, it is not Mr. Arbeeny’s responsibility to “fix” the District’s poor academic performance. He performs an invaluable service to the community by observing; analyizing; reporting and, on occasion, making suggestions on the basis of his efforts.
Sandra,
As you know, the Workshop meetings are where reports are given and where all citizens can attend. It is a “working” session. It is an opportunity to hear facts. I am not interested in having it open to public comment. I come to listen and learn. I save my comments for the regular session where I can speak freely as can you and others. The narrative trying to be sold is that citizens and parents do not have a voice. Not so. I encourage readers to go back and listen to the videos of regular meetings and hear many voices being heard. Do we need to hear more than 3 to 6 minutes from any one speaker? No. Quality over quantity.
The reason Wagemann’s and Anderson’s ideas get voted down are because they are not worth implementing. The ones that do pass, are worth moving forward on. That is how a board works. A recent public records request shows us that school board agendas are passed to Arbeeny before meetings occur and then three LakewoodCARES members, Arbeeny, Wagemann, and Anderson go back and forth deciding exactly what they will say and the motions they will make. Is this why Anderson and Wagemann seem to always be reading from a well-rehearsed script? Was Mr. Arbeeny elected by citizens to our school board? Why are Wagemann and Anderson totally dependent on Mr. Arbeeny? Can’t they think for themselves or do their own homework? Calls into question their qualifications to serve.
Sandra, Did the public know Mr. Arbeeny was doing all of the things you claim? Who asked him to do this? Members of LakewoodCARES? I think it’s time the community knew who all are behind LakewoodCARES since they feel that it is their job to run our school district and know more about education than those who actually work with our students. It says that LakewoodCARES membership has just 42 years of collective experience working in education. That is a pitiful amount for an entire group that thinks they are experts and a “mega brain” on education. I have 40 years of eperience by myself.
I see this politically motivated nonprofit recently added the book banning guy from Bonney Lake into your group. I believe he is now LakewoodCARES’ “legislative” representative. Shouldn’t the public know about this since Lakewood Cares is doing us all a public service? Pull back the curtain! It’s way past time to learn who is involved in trying to control our schools and what our children can and cannot know, read and learn. .
“I have 40 years of eperience (sic) myself”. I think I see the problem. Perhaps you’ve been part of the education establishment for too long and have too much to protect to realize you and those like you are part of the problem. Step back and take a look at the “big picture” from a system’s perspective. Systems can only accomplish what they are designed to accomplish. CPSD is a system designed to fail and that is what it does: it’s inarguable. You can’t blame children for their race, ethnicity, economic status (which itself is very racist and patronizing) for the District’s failure academically. Helping children is commendable but it will not stop the bleeding academically at the systems level. Deal with the facts first.
It’s hard to justify another tax increase with numbers like these.
Become a part of the solution, get involved! There is a school board meeting Oct 23.
Let our school board members and Lakewood City Council members know that we want accountability.
Show up! Stand up for your community!
2024 Property Tax Levy Ordinance topic of Nov. 6 Public Hearing
Notice is hereby given that onMonday, November 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, a public hearing will be held by the Lakewood City Council on the 2024 Property Tax Levy Ordinance. The meeting will be held the Lakewood City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW,…
Mr. Arbeeny has once again exposed the failure of the Clover Park School Board and Superintendent to address systemic academic issues. In collusion the Teachers’ Union, the Superintendent and 3 of the 5 board members have made CRT and DEI a
cause celebre for the district at the expense of improving academics.
Graduating social activists instead of academically prepared students for life seems to be the CPSD’s goal.
For instance how else could Clover Park High School students meeting State standards in ELA (41%), math (9.9%) and science (16.6%) with only 41.7% of students regularly attending school have a graduation rate of 84%? These are OSPI statistics!
https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/102218
Close your eyes to the problem if it makes you feel better but these are the facts that must be addressed for every single child in this District.
Richard,
Please explain the collusion between the union, Superintendent and three of the board members. I wish to understand how and what this entails. I do know that two board members
collude with CARES in planning their agenda for school board meetings (at the Republican County office in the Lundstrom building on Bridgeport every Thursday evening). It is always interesting to hear Mr. Arbeeny’s words read, especially by one board member in particular. Do you know what CRT and DEI are? Could you give examples from our district that your children have encountered that have interfered with their academics.
Please show proof of “collusion,” as you claim. I would love to see it. See, this is the problem: the Cares group throws this BS out to see what sticks, then takes it and runs with it. Everything Arbeeny and Cares falsely claimed has caused the district to waste time, money, and resources to debunk their false claims. To keep the community informed repeatedly, meeting after meeting is spent debunking LC’s lies. Then they dare want to talk about a budget while encouraging people to go against levies that ultimately impact all students. I can’t make this up. It’s on YouTube. Anyone who wants to know the truth can find it. Then I see who has replied to Arbeeny’s letter of disinformation yet again, anything to win. Arbeeny is not a man of integrity, in my opinion. Anyone willing to lie, cheat, and steal to “win” while pushing for policies that have tons of data to prove how harmful those policies in the past have been to children and families is pretty disgusting, and I don’t care who you are harming children is already unconscionable but to do it for political amusement. It is the lowest of low. And while you try to justify LC’s disgusting behavior. Even if what you were saying is true. Which I know for a fact it’s not. How does doing wrong because someone else is doing it right? You didn’t help. By the way, I understand I am responding to the echo chamber of LC as I scroll through all the responses in favor of the lies here. I can guarantee you more than half are either related to or on the racist emails and strategy emails with Arbeeny, Wagemann, and Anderson,
where they are preparing their plan to lie to the community. My favorite one was where Arbeeny talked about “tantalizing sex” in a book supposedly for middle schoolers.
He read an excerpt of the book live at a school board meeting. But in the emails with his group, the guy from Bonney Lk. had already told the entire group that none of the books they were trying to ban were in the library in this region. So then tell me, why would Arbeeny, who knew books were not an issue in this region, try to present the national push for book banning here in Lakewood if there was no malintent? Oh, and yes, I can prove all of my claims. In fact, I have: https://www.facebook.com/TanieshaCaresLLC?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Three years ago, just before the last CPSD levy passed, I attended a joint meeting between the City Council and the School Board. Only one of the 11 elected officials involved even discussed the levy. Unfortunately most of the same officials and CPSD MGMT remain.
https://youtu.be/lpjyuuqzfPg?si=CP3LdvMrxKUb0T_t
The schools were not doing well then and four years later, even with the passage of that levy / funding, there has been no improvement..
For many years I coached in USA Swimming, at two different clubs, and was told after 3-4 years any progress or decline in performance reflected on my skills as a coach.
Given that outlook, the lack of improvement, and the fact that the same officials and MGMT remain in charge I think a solution is clear Mr. Bob Warfield. Those in charge must go!
Vote them out so others can be replaced.
Mr. Arbeeny,
Please understand that your political LakewoodCARES organization, that seems so interested in test scores, has never done anything for our students; actually working with our students seems to be a foreign concept to your 501c4 nonprofit. Based on public records requests, you spend a great deal of time finding ways to undermine the reputation of our school district. What an eye-opener it has been to see how your group prepares/coordinates everything we hear from two school board members! You deliberately try to promote distrust and fear instead of telling the public about the academic growth our students make while enrolled in our school district. You want citizens to believe our current administration and nonpartisan board members are doing nothing about test scores and that you and your political buddies have all the answers. You are being intentionally deceptive.
At the September 25th School Bard Workshop meeting, Director of Assessment Brian Gable gave reports on our state SBA scores and a report on Clover Park leading the research on how to improve student academic growth over time. It is called the Student Growth Percentile Project and 20 other school districts in this state have eagerly signed on to be a part of this new look at how we can increase academic growth (Lake Washington, University Place , Bainbridge Island, Bellingham, Puyallup and more!). Clover Park is leading this! Why? We already have data that shows the longer students remain in our district the better they achieve! You certainly do not mention that in your constant attacks because it does not fit your negative rhetoric.
(The video of the Clover Park September 25th School Board Workshop presentation on test scores is on YouTube starting at time marker 21:18)
Your singular focus on comparing apples to oranges in order to support your claims has been debunked many times. When you compare 2022 4th graders to 2023 4th graders, you are comparing totally different groups students. That is what School Digger and OSPI data reports. The SBA is a test taken on one day and not a picture of overall academic achievement. What, if anything, do we know about those groups of students who are being tested and compared? How long were they enrolled in our district? At what level were they when they enrolled? How many are low income? How many are homeless? How many have disabilities? These factors are out of our control, but make a huge difference when comparing different sets of students on a state test. A longitudinal study of where every single student starts in our district and ends within one school year and over grade levels will better inform instruction. Example: If School A is showing that the same students are making exceptional growth no matter where they began, our district can focus in on what exactly is being done instructionally. This is why other major school districts are following our lead!
Finally, the timing of your overused “school Digger” hit piece attacking our schools is so self-serving and perhaps out of desperation. This community is not stupid. You advertise, “Trust us as your reliable source for community news” and that you are a “mega brain” in our community. What ego! Do us a favor and stop inflating your expertise in anything to do with the education of our children as you do nothing for them in this community other than to tell them they earned worthless diplomas. Get out and actually do something to help the children in our community where statistically 13 out of every 20 students are low income. Thank goodness we have CARING for KIDS, a nonprofit that actually cares about the well-being and education of our youth.
Ms. Arkell,
Your mistaken assumption in your response to my comment was, “The narrative trying to be sold is that citizens and parents do not have a voice.” My comment about public comment not being allowed at the second board meeting of each month was in response to Mr. Warfield’s suggestion that Mr. Arbeeny share his “insightful wisdom” at the school board meeting on October 23, which is the second meeting of the month. No hidden agenda, just a statement of fact.
Thank you for the correction, Sandra. I am so happy to know all my other assumptions and statements were correct. I believe “transparency” is what Lakewood CARES wants from others, but not from their own nonprofit that claims it exists for the betterment of our community. Where is the proof? Who exactly are the educational experts making up the “mega brain” so we can look at their credentials and decide if their qualifications match Mr. Arbeeny’s claims on your website.
Some have noticed that your site features a local leader of “Moms for Liberty”, a group now listed nationally as a hate group. Does this mean Lakewood CARES is involved? A nonprofit operating in the dark invites speculation that invites more questions, especially after having members directly involved in racist actions towards our employees.
Cheri, Sandra knows precisely what goes on with Lakewoodcares behind closed doors, and I can prove it. She is on an email begging them not to include her name in their stuff, though she actively participates with Lakewood Cares.
Arbeeny admitted to intentionally posting data in the Suburban Times that he knew was wrong and skewed to get a rise out of those who understand data and mislead those who don’t, a twofer, if you will. I can prove that too with Arbeeny’s own words; Wagemann did challenge Arbeeny on that but still stood by and watched it happen, and even after questioning Arbeeny, he still tried to submit Arbeeny’s trash data as fact. Arbeeny is a disgraced politician has-been who can’t let go. So he uses the hate group and the two stooges and is now a candidate for the school board (the PDC had Arbeeny’s home address as his campaign headquarters. I guess Arbeeny is also not telling people his Candidate is on active duty in the Army as a paralegal in the Jag office. “And is more than likely violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and several other military regulations, which outline several explicitly prohibited activities that he is now under investigation for allegedly violating)” including his connections to local hate groups. Does Arbeeny care? No, he doesn’t. All he cares about is having someone to do his dirty work and bid on his behalf while he sits back and watches with pleasure unscathed because Paul and David are his mouthpieces. For three years, I have been posting facts—the truth in their own words. And if people still listen to them, I say let them because willful ignorance is still a choice. Arbeeny thrives on disunity and chaos. “the good cop, bad cop” game they like to play with facts by twisting the truth to fit their narrative. Anyone who supports a 23-year-old kid with no real experience with policy and education or a clear understanding of the unique needs of a district where most families live in poverty, many have been impacted by some violence and a host of other issues
over someone educated in k-12 education and has worked many roles in the same field, such as Janet Caldwell, who is running for the school board now. Janet really could be considered an expert in the field. With her skillset and over 27 years, she worked hands-on with youth personally through volunteering and professionally. And let me be clear: I don’t know Janet personally, but I vetted her as I did her opponent. I don’t know where she stands politically, and I don’t care. What I do care about is how to increase student aptitude and proficiency and ensure students have access to multiple pathways and opportunities that allow them to thrive and reach their future goals. Arbeeny and his hate group’s only concern is power and control to play games and push false narratives so he can feel like a puppet master while playing with the future of all the students in the Clover Park district because he’s a narcissist who will lie and cheat to make himself feel big. While negatively impacting students, particularly BIPOC students and those experiencing poverty. Is this personal for me? Very much so. I care about the future of my community and the well-being of the children who live in it.
Ms. Lyons: how about doing a bit of research into subjects you know nothing about before you spout off? How about a retraction?
The Hatch Act applies to government employees, not military personal. They are governed by DOD Directive NUMBER 1344.10 February 19, 2008. Here’s an excerpt.
4.1. General
4.1.1. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and
issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.
4.1.1.2. Promote and encourage others to exercise their voting franchise, if such
promotion does not constitute use of their official authority or influence to interfere with the
outcome of any election.
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when not
in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1
(Reference (c).)
4.1.1.4. Serve as an election official, if such service is not as a representative of a
partisan political party, does not interfere with the performance of military duties, is performed
when not in uniform, and the Secretary concerned has given prior approval. The Secretary
concerned may NOT delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission.
4.1.1.5. Sign a petition for a specific legislative action or a petition to place a
candidate’s name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to
engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of
the Armed Forces.
4.1.1.6. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member’s personal
views on public issues or political candidates, if such action is not part of an organized letter-
writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political
cause or candidate. If the letter identifies the member as on active duty (or if the member is
otherwise reasonably identifiable as a member of the Armed Forces), the letter should clearly
state that the views expressed are those of the individual only and not those of the Department of
Defense (or Department of Homeland Security for members of the Coast Guard).
4.1.1.7. Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party, or committee
favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations under section
441a of title 2, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (d)); section 607 of title 18, U.S.C.
(Reference (e)); and other applicable law.
4.1.1.8. Display a political bumper sticker on the member’s private vehicle.
4.1.1.9. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political fundraising activities, meetings,
rallies, debates, conventions, or activities as a spectator when not in uniform and when no
inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement can reasonably be
drawn.
4.1.1.10. Participate fully in the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
So you see Mr. Bunting is to my knowledge well within his rights to run for CPSD Board, a non-partisan office and within limits participated in partisan activities!
Ms. Lyons: how about a retraction?
Ms. Lyons…furthermore please note below from DOD Directive NUMBER 1344.10 February 19, 2008:
4.2.4.1. Any enlisted member on active duty may seek, hold, and exercise the
functions of a nonpartisan civil office as a notary public or member of a school board,
neighborhood planning commission, or similar local agency, provided that the office is held in a
non-military capacity and there is no interference with the performance of military duties.
4.2.4.2. Any warrant or commissioned officer on active duty may seek, hold, and
exercise the functions of a nonpartisan civil office on an independent school board that is located
exclusively on a military reservation, provided that the office is held in a non-military capacity
and there is no interference with the performance of military duties.
So you see Mr. Bunting is to my knowledge well within his rights to run for CPSD Board, a non-partisan office and within limits participated in partisan activities!
Ms. Lyons: how about a retraction?
Cheri and Taniesha,
Thank you both for clarifying some information about Lakewood Cares.
Mary
I would ask each citizen to give the community their definition of educational success. Until we have a clear definition we cannot achieve a successful goal. Currently the educational experts at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) have posted school report cards which are the only objective measurement that the public has to determine how our district is performing the duties of educating our students. Having students that can read is the best measure of academic achievement. If we use OSPI data which allows us to compare our students performance with districts across the state we can see we are clearly not keeping up. Caring for Kids is doing great work taking care of providing food, clothing and shelter for students in need. But those same students need to have those basic educational needs met if they are going to be successful in our society.
I would suggest the following reading list for those who are interested in helping resolve our communities educational concerns:
“Social Justice Fallacies” by Thomas Sowell
“25 Lies” by Vice Everett Ellison
“Crimes of the Educators” by Samuel Blumenfeld & Alex Newman
We have many wonderful teachers and administrators working very hard to help our students but we must remember like in every endeavor we must not mistake effort for results. If we come together as a community and have open discussion not finger pointing we can achieve the results that we all crave for our children.
Arbeeny,
A direct quote from an email I received from JBLM. Unlike you, if I say it, I can prove it. You get no retraction. But I have posted on my community advocacy page the emails of you plotting with the other two stooges to lie to this community about books and your coded emails trying to play on the community’s fears to gain support. But don’t take my word for it read for your selves what Arbeeny wrote.
“Ms. Lyons,
My investigation does not apply to the Hatch Act (SPC Bunting is not a civilian employee of the Federal government, and so is restricted not by the Hatch Act, but Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and several other military regulations, which outline several explicitly prohibited activities that he is now under investigation for allegedly violating).”
– Investigating Officer at JBLM