I was very glad to see your editorial piece regarding the four-period day at West Seattle High School (June 6). It is so refreshing to hear someone give credit to parents and their part in the education of their children.

I am on the steering committee charged with making recommendations about the scheduling at West Seattle High School, and parents have not been given fair treatment. Parents are not an equal percent of the committee, and the parents who are not official members but who have chosen to attend every meeting are quickly reminded of their place.

The majority of staff and teachers on the steering committee proclaimed themselves four-period day advocates from the start. I attended the first meeting intending to learn as much as I could so that I could make an informed decision. After weighing the benefits of the four-period day with the problems, and after speaking with members of the community about their experiences - either with being at the school or avoiding it - I came to the conclusion that the four-period day provides many more problems than advantages.

The administrators insist on dismissing data that does not support their point of view, such as WASL scores, SAT scores and class hours. Plus, they continually refuse to consider information culled from families with personal experience at the school. When parents who opposed the four-period day met with Bruce Bivens, the new principal, he would not even hear our side. He told us he had made his decision already - without even listening to us.

Parents spend the most time with their children. Parents deserve a stronger voice in how they are educated.

Laura Sinai

Admiral