As I see it, that's what the Marysville school district is up to.

Only problem is, tactics aren't what school districts should be about.

With the Marysville teachers' strike edging toward the longest such strike in state history, district officials are hunkered down and bunkered in.

No contact. No talk. No public meetings.

The district keeps an invisible profile and hopes the teachers end up taking the hit.

I imagine the Marysville school superintendent would get some smug satisfaction if the same teachers who voted "no confidence" in her last year, were to end up vilified by the public this year.

Want to see the future of education?

Look at Marysville.

Look at frustrated, underpaid teachers pushed 'till their backs are at the wall.

Look at how their dedication to reaching and teaching kids is finally overwhelmed by how the powers-that-be disregard the true value of education.

Strikes don't end until issues are resolved.

Issues aren't resolved without negotiations.

Negotiations require compromise.

Or you can just fall back on tactics: trading public welfare for public opinion.

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com