A Moment for Honest Assessment

Dear Members of the Board,

Wenatchee Valley College plays a pivotal role in the social and economic well-being of the communities it serves, particularly those in rural areas. It provides individuals with the opportunity to access education and secure living-wage jobs, and it allows high school students to earn college credit, giving them a head start on their academic futures.

Now, with the college’s accreditation at risk, our communities stand to lose an essential resource. Poor fiscal understanding, decisions made to protect administrators at all costs, and an increasingly top-heavy leadership structure have diverted funds away from classrooms and student services. Students—the very people the college exists to serve—are paying the price.

Repeated decisions to hire, promote, and retain administrators regardless of performance have led to fewer faculty, fewer classes, and fewer support staff. Every one of these choices directly undermines the college’s educational mission.

I urge the Board of Trustees to take off their rose-colored glasses, put away their rubber stamp, and honestly assess the reality of the college’s leadership. I would ask the Board to act decisively and transparently, making the difficult but necessary decisions to put students first and restore accountability. The future of Wenatchee Valley College—and the communities that depend on it—depends on their courage to do so.

Sincerely,

Community Member