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WWW . THESKANNER . COM O CTOBER 3, 2012 S EATTLE , W ASHINGTON V OLUME XXXIV, N O . 25 CENTS For The Skanner news alerts Text "NEWS" to 503-715-0890 or scan this QR code C HALLENGING P EOPLE TO S HAPE A B ETTER F UTURE N OW TA S T Y ! GOP Feud Resolved Claim against Sen. Pam Roach alleged ‘hostile workplace’ PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED By Rachel La Corte The Associated Press Alonzo Moreno, a kindergardener at Dearborn Elementary School, enjoys some locally-grown pluots on Taste Washington Day. The annual celebration of Washington-grown foods served in school meals is a partnership between the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-School program and the Washington School Nutrition Association. Native American Mascot Ban? State tries to encourage schools to get rid of offensive images By Donna Gordon Blankinship The Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The state Board of Education is making another attempt at encouraging Washington schools to replace their Native American mascots. In the past decade, about 10 schools have given up their Indian mascots. But another 50, including tribal schools, are holding fast to their nicknames as warriors, braves, redskins and red devils. The state board passed a reso- lution on Wednesday urging dis- tricts to stop using Native American mascots, but as board spokesman Aaron Wyatt acknowledges, it does not have the authority to mandate this change. There are no consequences for schools that do not voluntarily choose a new mascot, Wyatt said Friday. Oregon’s state Board of Edu- cation voted in May to ban Native American mascots, nick- names and logos. Schools in INDEX News ........................2,4 Calendar ....................2 Opinion .......................3 Bids/Classifieds............3 that state have five years to comply. Eight Oregon high schools are affected. Washington’s resolution, which is similar to resolution passed by the board in 1993, was inspired by research by the American Psychological Asso- ciation citing the adverse effects of Native American mascots on students. The resolution also mentions the widening achievement gap between Native American and other students and the call by a number of national organiza- tions and tribes for this change. ``We are in the business of educating students,’’ Board member Bernal Baca said in a statement. ``We need to remove any barrier that will impede stu- dent success.’’ Marcus Morgan, superinten- dent of the Reardan-Edwall School District near Spokane, said the issued hadn’t been raised during his tenure with the school district but was open to the idea of discussing now. All of Reardan’s sports teams See MASCOTS on page 3 OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Wash- ington state Senate will review its work- place policies and has reaffirmed its sanctions against a Republican senator under a settlement announced Friday. Mike Hoover, a senior Republican attor- ney for the Senate who had originally been seeking $1.75 million from a hostile work environment claim he filed earlier this year, did not receive any money under the settle- ment. However, under the terms of the agree- ment dated Wednesday, in return for Hoover dropping the complaint, the state reaffirmed its commitment to its policies addressing a respectful workplace, as well as reaffirmed sanctions against Sen. Pam Roach, R- Auburn, that limit her interactions with staff. ``Some things are more important than money,’’ Hoover wrote in an emailed state- ment. ``Among them, treating people with decency and respect.’’ Hoover, who has been on leave since April, says he was subjected to a hostile and abusive workplace because of Roach. She was banned from the Republican caucus two years ago after an investigation deter- mined that she had mistreated staff. GOP leaders implemented policies bar- ring Roach from the caucus room and deemed her ineligible to participate in cau- cus votes. The Senate Facilities and Opera- tions Committee, which oversees personnel issues, issued a reprimand on behalf of the entire Senate in early 2010, and ordered that Roach should have no direct contact with most Senate staff. While Roach had received prior repri- mands for her interactions with staff, the January 2010 punishment followed numer- ous incidents with Hoover, culminating with an ``unusually vicious attack’’ in 2009, according to the 15-page complaint Hoover See COMPLAINT on page 3 Secretary of State Candidates Spar Traditionally Republican seat up for grabs as incumbent retires By Chris Grygiel The Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Washington has a reputation for electing Democrats to statewide office, but the party hasn’t pro- duced a secretary of state in nearly 50 years. Former state Sen. Kathleen Drew hopes to become the first Democratic secretary of state since Vic Meyers, who lost a re-elec- tion bid in 1964. Republican Kim Wyman, Thurston County’s auditor, is looking to maintain the GOP winning streak in November. The secretary of state oversees state and local elections and registers and licenses private corporations. Longtime incumbent Sam Reed, a Republican, is retiring. Wyman and Drew say the election comes down to a choice between experience and new ideas. Wyman says she has conducted more than 80 elections and will work to modernize the registration process, with the goal of mak- ing it more automated and maintaining a balance between security and access. She also aims to run the system more efficiently in an era of tight budgets. See ELECTIONS on page 3
