Special School Board of Directors Meeting - May 19, 2026

001Good evening and welcome to the special board of directors meeting for Tuesday, May 19th. The time is 5:02 p.m. Um, this time uh I'll ask that we uh have a motion to adopt the agenda. >> I move to adopt tonight's agenda as presented. >> Second. been moved by director um Growald and seconded by director Boanra to adopt tonight's agenda as presented. All in favor? >> I motion carries. >> So the first item on our agenda is um uh we'll begin interviewing candidates for board director number position number four. Uh the first interview is at 5:30 p.m. and we'll be in recess until that time. Till >> till 5:20. Thank you. We'll come back at 5:20. >> Okay. Welcome back. It's 5:22. I'll come out of recess. Okay. Okay, the interview process is going to go

002as follows. We have uh the schedule with each of the candidates and a 10-minute break in between. And so that'll go Angelo Gonzalez, Deb Swope, Willie Williams, Robin Bowman, Tanya English in that order. Um in between those there will be a break for us to uh be able to consolidate thoughts and uh take additional notes. Uh and at the conclusion of all of that uh we will announce an executive session um and going under uh RCW 42 3110 to evaluate candidates for board of director. Um you have two uh sort of documents for each candidate. The first one is the questions with space for notes. Uh and what we'll do is we'll go I guess one two three four one two three four and then the ninth one. One two three four five six seven

003eight. So, I'll go first, then Gary, then Julie, then Jenny. >> No, it was this way. >> Was it this way? >> Either way, I'll go first, then Jenny, then Julie, then Gary. We'll do that a second time, and the ninth question, uh, we'll ask I'll ask it, and it's it's the open-ended one. So, uh, we'll see how that goes. Each candidate will have 30 minutes with us. And uh there's not really a way to tell if we'll take the whole 30 minutes or not. We'll just have to uh be mindful of the time then. Uh I think that are there any questions for me? Okay. All right. Then in 5 minutes um in 3 minutes uh we'll ask Angelo Gonzalez to come take a seat and uh we'll begin the interviews. Oh each of

004the each of the interviewees will be asked the same questions in the same order. So yeah, give me a couple of minutes and then we'll get started. Rob. >> Yeah. Um, is there like a timer? Would that help or just so they know they're on track or not? Or >> would you help us keep time, please? >> Did you also want to mention that these are being um live broadcast? Yeah, the meeting uh is being broadcast over Zoom. So, there's a Zoom link on the board web page for people to tune in. Although, we have asked the candidates uh not to participate in the meeting until it's their time for the interview. Um that just keeps a more level playing field. We uh so it is going out and like the one in uh 20

00519 uh it'll also be on YouTube for the public to see. 2022 >> 2022 sorry 19 was an election 2022 was Thank you for the correction [clears throat] okay a couple I'd like to clarify we are going to be able to post the timer for the candidates to view Okay, let's begin. Um, Mr. [clears throat] Gonzalez, are you here? If you go ahead and take a seat there, we'll test the mic, make sure it's working correctly, and uh, I'll ask before we begin if you have any questions about the format for us. >> I do not, and sounds like a mic check is good. >> Okay, good. Thank you. Oh, and the water is for you. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. That'll come in very handy. >> We're going to replace that for each

006candidate. >> Thank you for that detail. Okay. So, uh as I said before, in general, we will ask you nine questions. Uh and we have 30 minutes uh for you to answer the questions. You can take uh that much time or less time as you prefer. Um the last question is uh open-ended. It' be if you have any questions for us. So um we'll try to be mindful of the time and make sure that you get your full full opportunity. If you're ready to begin. >> I am. >> It's nice to see you here, Mr. Gonzalez. Our first question is this. Please tell us why you decided to apply for this position, what strengths you bring to the board, and what you hope to accomplish utilizing your unique skill set. Um again welcome for having

007me aboard. I do appreciate the opportunity. Um my name is Angelo Gonzalez and uh I applied for this uh position due to understanding the future of our community, the future the health of our community is dependent upon uh the f future of our youth. um being able to ensure they have the academic, social, and emotional skills to uh show up within our community to be uh hardworking citizens to be able to pay forward the efforts that many of the teachers, staff, and individuals within the system uh are providing uh I think would really help to give us a good platform on how our community moves forward. uh ensuring that we have uh a growing community such as Vancouver and Clark overall Clark County. Um in terms of my strengths uh I have served in a

008variety of capacities that have uh given me some collaborative problem solving skills understanding psychology uh social work uh and systems uh such as um juvenile detention um welfare system and a variety of those other supports that really do help to meet the needs of youth and families. um understanding that if youth and families have their needs met, they're able to get a good rearing and able to show up in spaces to be able to be present and be able to take in information. When we start to see individuals struggle in some capacities, it impacts not only their ability to uh show up in some of these areas, but to be able to be focused, to be able to be attentive, and to be able to have the uh social and emotional skills to truly engage

009and develop healthy communication and uh social skills. Um, so I just think having some of that skill set will allow me to be able to work with the board and uh creating some healthy dialogue and better understanding what it is that the students and families are really saying to us and what how to meet their needs and ensuring that I'm creating some healthy uh questions that not uh only prompt healthy discussion but limit some of those divisive um moments within the board but really finding a way to help uh create a healthy team that allows us to to work towards strategically managing those uh those situations, making those challenging decisions. >> Thank you. Um, next question. The Evergreen Public School strategic plan has goals that include a culture of safety and belonging, demonstrated student academic

010success, mastery of grade level standards, and post-diploma readiness. As a board director, how would you advocate for the inclusion of all students in the district goals? How would you advocate that our community members have a voice in our schools? >> Um, kind of touching on what I was discussing a moment ago, but every individual in the class impacts the ability and the readiness of the students within uh that classroom and within that uh overall school themselves. And so if we have an individual that say is on an IEP or a BIP, a behavioral intervention plan, it really is going to impact the ability of the other kids in class. If that youth happens to have some struggles, uh struggles with u making noise or having some attention struggles or aloping, it's taken away from the

011rest of the class. The other teachers uh the teacher may be trying to reach out and trying to find some support through paras or through the case managers. uh which really again takes away from the other students in that class. Uh it also impacts morale for those teachers when they are constantly kind of trying to manage these uh situations. So, I really think finding a way to meet the needs of those individuals that have some of those struggles can really have an a a really grassroot support with organic growth within that classroom that allows that individuals to have their needs met to utilize the IEPs that really do uh allow them to prosper and meet some of their needs, but then it uh subsequently meets the needs of those kids that maybe are a little

012bit more uh neurotypical and can stay focused on task and create the academic gains and growth that we're hoping that all of our students are able to have. >> All right, thank you. All right, the next question from us is, "What do you feel are two strengths and two areas of need and improvement for the Evergreen School District? What priorities or goals do you think the board should work towards?" Uh in terms of looking towards uh a forecast of what the budget cuts that are coming up this upcoming school year, uh one of the things that I'm starting to see is a uh a cut or reduction in some of the those pro-social extracurricular programs. So finding ways to be able to continue to meet the needs of the youth that are interested in those

013things. So, I think utilizing uh programs such as uh the Evergreen or Connect evergreen, which is one of those parent coalition programs that's putting going to put on a really great event tomorrow uh I believe here. Um leaning into them, YMCA Boys and Girls Club, the youth advocacy and empowerment. There are so many different programs within the community that could really partner with the Evergreen School District to create those pro-social outings. It doesn't have to come at the cost of uh public funds. there's these programs that are willing to show up and willing to be able to provide those outlets and provide that support. So, I really think being able to find a way to meet those needs so that youth are able to lean into their strengths. They're able to develop their skills. They're

014able to continue to take growth that makes them feel enriched and makes them feel like they are successful. It's when we're looking at ourselves and we see that self-esteem. We don't feel like we're able to connect. We don't feel like we're good enough. we don't feel like we have the skills to thrive is when we start to lean into some of those maladaptive coping skills such as substance use. Uh we end up projecting in terms of verbal and physical aggression and end up leading into property destruction and a lot of these other things that really not only impact the school districts here in Clark County, but also a lot of those other systems that are supportive and really do take away from some of those true needs that need to be addressed by those in

015really emergent situations. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, what experiences have you had on other boards or other leadership positions? And how does a being a member of a school board compare or differ to your previous experience? >> I am currently a clinical supervisor for the wraparound intensive services program uh through Catholic Community Services. Uh so with that uh we are the largest nonprofit uh in Washington state and we have the largest mental health uh we are the largest mental health provider as well. Um here in Clark County we are um one of only two wise programs that offer full intensive services. So with that, I'm a part of the the planning, the organizing, the community connection, the system partner planning. Um that really allows me to get an understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that need

016that is being done by a lot of systems. Uh oftent times I am working with assistant principles and principles to discuss our wise services, how we can show up and partner and collaborate to make sure that those needs are met. So in terms of the strategic piece, uh I feel like my hands are often in the pot and working with a variety of the systems. Same thing with uh um working with hospitals and what it looks like when an individual goes into emergency service. How do we work on discharge? How do we ensure safety within the community and making sure those individuals and families are able to meet their needs while again not only stabilizing but not being overly reliant on the systems that should be utilized by those uh individuals that do have those

017emergent needs. Um in terms of uh I'm also the family youth system partner roundt system trial lead uh and we are an organization that works to bring individuals uh family youth and systems partners to the table to identify gaps of services within the community. What are the needs that are out there and what needs are not being met? uh working and partnering with the state to be able to identify what those gaps of services are so that we can find a way to bring them down here to Southwest Washington to continue to meet the needs in the appro appropriate capacities for those that have that need. Uh with that, I do work with budgeting so we have funds that we are allocated to us that we work to be able to fill those gaps, work

018to meet the needs of the youth and families. uh working to find a way to meet some of the financial needs of youth and families as well as partnering with those system partners to bring them to the table to not only create access but create direct referrals to those system partners allowing individuals to openly ask questions rather than hit the barrier of got to access the phone, got to access the website, got to make the call. Um, sometimes bringing those individuals to the table can be a really great place to um, help break down the barriers of concern, especially for those that may have struggled with other systems or getting referrals and partnering with the community. It's a really great place to be able to break those allow instant access and hopefully get them connected

019again to the right resources that create the stability which in turn will allow them to show up to class and hopefully be able to engage and close their academic gaps if that's what they have or take steps on what the next step is for them to be a really great young adult within our community. Who are uh the particular community connections you have or constituencies that you would represent as a school board member? >> I would say the youth and families of Clark County. Um and it's the families that are in need, the families that are in crisis. uh as a when I was direct service as a a [snorts] care coordinator, as a uh wise clinician, and then as a youth mobile crisis responder, I was showing up to the homes of families, identifying

020what their needs are, seeing their academic stresses, uh the behaviors that are impacting their academic uh setting, and working with them to go into the school and talk about accommodations, talk about IEPs, and then again talking about those resources that I've been kind of discussing here. Um, I also find myself very active in working with my teams and not just being behind the scenes. Uh, I continuously work with the strategic planning, but when there are challenges, I'm willing to show up with my f with my teams to be able to teams and families. Uh, I was at a an IEP today just earlier at 2:45 for about a little over an hour uh, working to partner and work with the schools in the best ways that are going to meet the the youth's needs. And

021um it's really great to be able to collaborate and um to still have a pulse on how the different uh um districts and the different uh IEP cases and case managers are working so we can meet find a way to meet those needs. Um I also feel like I represent uh everybody. Um I feel like I have worked in a variety of capacities and I am also just a human being. Uh so I like to engage the community. I like to go out and go hiking. I like to play sports. I like to get involved in extra intramural uh programs. I go to community fairs. I myself have raved raised a child and understand what it's like to navigate the educational system and to be a parent in the modern times. And so I think

022really being able to um know that I am have walked in many steps that the individuals that we serve are in. And I just also have a skill set that um is is developed in some capacities that makes me feel like I I can utilize them to better support and work with the board to to uh work on some of the needs within the community in the academic setting. >> Thank you. What kind of time commitment can you make to work to the work of the board? Excuse [clears throat] me. such as additional meetings to engage the community in two-way discussions about issues, time away from work to attend conferences, training, and workshops. >> I can create that time. Uh I can work I've already worked with my leadership team talking to them about what

023some of these time uh commitments could be if I was selected to the board and they are very open to working and partnering with me. Again, we work a lot with Evergreen School District. So even just having an understanding of uh what's going on I think they are you know more than happy because again if we're meeting the needs of the youth and the families uh we're going to have a less stringent identified for services list you know we always it's always at the end of the day uh on that side um a business but our goal as a crisis service is to be to not have anybody there um our goal is to make sure that everybody's needs are met and so in working with my team they are more than open if that's

024something that's really going to allow us to help the individuals within the Evergreen School District really grow and have some autonomy and have the ability to increase their academic depths and be able to move forward and become again uh healthy families within our community, especially in the academic setting. >> All right. Um, do you regularly vote in school district elections and did you vote in the most recent levy election? And then the second part of the question, if appointed, do you plan to run for this position in November 2027 board election? >> I have not voted in any of the the levy elections. Um, but I would be open to running in the November 2027 election. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there anything else about you that we should know in order to better consider

025your candidacy? >> Uh yes. Uh again, I was mentioning that I was a parent. Uh I raised my sister when I turned 18. She was 7 years old and I became her her guardian. Uh throughout that time I was in the military. So I was managing a lot a lot of uh the military life being a single parent and moving around. uh within that we took I had her in a variety of different school districts. Uh we were in Florida, we were in Maryland, we were in New Mexico, in Los Angeles, and uh by the time she graduated, that's when we moved up here. But I did have the opportunity to work with a variety of different school districts. There was a lot of challenges with somebody that's moving that much and being displaced from

026their family and friends and having to navigate some of those things. She had an IEP. she had some of those um concerns that and challenges that uh me as a parent I had to show up and had to work with the school had to work with myself to better understand how to meet her needs so that she could take some of those steps. So I think um you know I do have some some professional experience in working with schools and doing a lot of those things working with the at risk uh individuals in crisis. Um, I've worked with a lot of families and understanding some of those needs, but I myself have walked the steps of many of the families that we're serving and I again want to be able to show up and be

027able to use, you know, the to my total self to best uh, again create challenging and comprehensive questions that really do allow us as the board to be able to um, make healthy decisions that really do uh, support the the students that we're serving even if they are challenging decisions. Okay, we actually uh we have 14 minutes for this one. Do you have any questions that you'd like to ask the board in terms of looking for a board member? Uh what is it that you look for in a board member that I could prepare for if I was selected? uh how could I best engage that really allows uh us to be supportive of um of our academic uh district here? >> I'll answer. Um when I think about how somebody can contribute to the

028board, it's really somebody who's supportive of our strategic plan around, you know, um belonging, a sense of belonging for each of our students and wanting academic s success for all of them. Finding ways to make sure that students have opportunities to engage in our district. Um making this a great place for people to work. um a great place for people to raise their families and making like Evergreen Public Schools be like the destination spot like if people are moving to Clark County that they want to come to Evergreen Public Schools. And so I think that any member of the board uh would want to work with the team of people up here and the superintendent to make to make that happen. >> A very beautiful answer. >> Yeah, I I don't have much to add

029to that. That is a beautiful answer. Other questions? We got time. I do not. That is all I have. That's all right. Yeah. I'll just add if you were selected, I would look forward to your expertise in, you know, dealing with students at risk and mental health. So, thanks. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Okay, this will uh conclude the interview. I >> mean, I would just because we have a couple of minutes, I would just say if is there anything you wanted to expand on any of the questions we asked you? you we did go through them quite fast and I do know that you looked at them. I'm not sure if before or after we asked them, but if anything came up that you maybe wanted to include. >> Yeah. Uh I do

030I did take a couple of notes on some things that I uh would what I I wrote what I firmly believe what we're supposed to do here. Um and I really believe that being a part of a board, we're governance. We're not management. um that is up to the superintendent, the teachers, the admin, uh everybody who really shows up for the students that we're serving and their families. Uh as a board, we are there to govern. We're there to look at all of the different budgets. We're there to make some of the decisions when it does come to staffing and salaries and a lot of those other things that do under that do impact the bottom line. Um, and so I do like to look at it from that capacity and understanding what the role

031of the board is and not believing the board is just this overall power structure that is going to take control and micromanage every bit of of uh the academic ski of Evergreen Public Schools. So I do believe firmly believe that um I believe that we are um um again here to ask compelling questions and to make informed challenging decisions. Um I think often times uh asking the right answer that we have is an informed question and making sure that we are truly kicking those ideas around peeling back the onion. Uh working to understand everybody's uh not only reactional mind on what it is that they're hearing for that first timer or especially when it comes to things like budget. can be a really heavy a heavy thought when those things are pitched in and it

032could be lead to us being very reactive and having this emotional output and making that decision. Uh but then how do we swing that back to being able to lean back into our our logical mind so we can better understand what are the true things that we can address and and make a difference here. And then kind of finding a way to move those two things together where we are using a little bit of our heart in making those decision because again if the decisions we make have to be something we're true and firm in but also are they rooted in logic? Are they rooted in the things that really are going to help to make us look forward? because it's not about the short-term gains, but the long-term optics, what it is that we're

033really doing. How are we really looking at forecasting at what those needs are that are going to be met rather than uh leaning into and appeasing uh a short-term pressure and then leading down 5 years down the line having these things uh boil over and blow up in our face where now we can't come back from the decisions that we've made. So how do we again have those compelling conversations to make sure that we are um again listening to the voice of the individual the students and the families bringing those things forward and making sure that we are using our logical and emotional minds together to make the best decisions we can. Um, and then I I would just say uh I I wrote a little bit about trust here. And uh when I think

034about trust, I just think about consistency, uh transparency and follow through. And especially here in open boards where uh the public is able to show up, the public is is able to have that transparent understanding. if we're saying we're going to do something, being able to cons consistently follow up and being able to have the deci the the conversations that really address those things and making sure that the the fam the students and families know that they hear us or that we're hearing them so that we're able to make some of those um some of that support and again being consistent. You know, if we are all over the place and not able to consistently follow through, it's going to lead to a lack of trust. it's going to lead to um concerns about how

035we're able to follow up and how we're utilizing the the the funds that are meant to be able to support the the students moving forward. So, I really think about um when I think about trust and we're thinking about earning the trust from the community, it really is about following through and having that consistency, transparency, and then again follow through with what it is that we say we're going to do. Yeah. And then just uh creative and collaborative problem solving. I I always go back to that. I kind of been touching on it throughout this whole meeting, but it really is about um finding a way to have healthy relationships, healthy team dynamics when we're having these things. Um it's okay to have some courageous conversations, but we can always follow up to ensure that

036a we're respectful of the other people that we're working with and we're making sure that we are still saying the things that need to be said. You know, laying again when we have looking at it from that emotional and logical mind. Are we able to really lay that on the table so we can have those courageous conversations that ensure that we're really working towards addressing what the needs are that our uh that constituents or the the the community is really wanting from us. I believe that is it. Thank you for that extra couple moment to to share. >> Thank you for coming in to interview the uh today. After all of the interviews, the board is going to meet to discuss an executive session and we'll make a selection uh at the board meeting next

037Tuesday. Um which you're welcome to attend. >> Awesome. And thank you everybody for your time. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to to interview. Thank you Rob and Lori for uh coordinating and working with us to send out emails to get us lined up. So I do really appreciate it. Um, you know, it's a nerve-wracking when you're going to come and do one of these types of uh um interviews. And so, it it did feel welcoming. It made it feel a little bit easier. Had some very clear directions. Had some really uh warm uh information inviting me to this interview. So, again, thank you for for those uh that healthy uh connection. >> Very kind of you to say. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. It was nice to meet you. >>

038Okay. and we've got the time. So, the next interview is going to be with Deb Swope at 6:10 p.m. and we'll be on a break until then. >> Good evening. >> Thank you for having me. >> It's good to see you here. Um, I'll go over the process, >> okay? >> Uh, that we're going to use for this interview. We'll have 30 minutes, >> okay? >> Uh, starting in one minute. Um, and we're going to ask you nine questions, >> okay? >> And we'll alternate asking the questions. Uh, and so you'd have three minutes for each question or longer for some and shorter for others, but the list is in front of you on the table. Okay. And uh other than that, do you have any questions for us about the process? >> I do

039not. >> Okay, let's go ahead and begin. Hi, Deb. >> Hello. >> Please tell us um I'll give you some time to get ready. >> No, I'm I'm fine. >> Okay. Please tell us uh why you decided to apply for this position, what strengths you bring to the board, and what you hope to accomplish. utilizing your unique skill set. >> What uh the reason that I decided to apply for this position is because I recently retired from a full-time job and community volunteering is what I've done literally my whole life. And the position came open. I happened to live in district 4 uh which was a lovely surprise and applied and I have pretty extensive education experience on a school board in Texas. Ran for office uh in a three-way race and won. Um it

040was a fun it was a fun grueling race. beat uh an attorney in town and a uh very prominent state farm guy. So that was a lot of fun. Um and learned so much about education law theories, various other things and have carried a lot of that with me. Um, in 2006 I transplanted myself from a Texan to a new gal in the Northwest and uh had just kind of the heat was enough and I was just about to turn 50. So I came here to the Northwest and uh absolutely love it. [snorts] The um strengths that I would say that I bring to the board is what I've been told a number of times, which is I I love to come in into any group, whether it's a PTA, whether it's excuse me, whether

041it's a group of people who are irritated because we only have dirt for ball fields. If it's a group of folks who are trying to figure out how to get a successful bond passed, if it is um a group who just for whatever reason has a challenge that they have not figured out maybe the the direct keep hitting this thing, sorry the most direct line to the goal. [snorts] Um, and I love to come in and study, listen, absorb, and then try to find common ground. Where can we meet? Where can we hit with our town, with our the rest of our population, with our other with our other constituents, with our other people groups? How can we come together and bring the level of this water up? How can we become more successful systemwide?

042Whether it's a small system, a little local school PTA, or a big system trying to start a sports league in a booming town, um or on a school board where in Texas they had a number of very very tenured people on the school board. um which is wonderful for institutional history and knowledge and not so wonderful for change. [laughter] Um so we uh so it was it was interesting time for me to sort of be the young blood at that point and say well why how about if we try this or let's you know in executive session especially it was a great workshop to learn why they did things and how they did them and where they might want to go from there and then be able to bring myself my strengths into that discussion

043and say have we ever considered this. Um so that is what that is what I would hope to do here is the very same thing. Thank you. The Evergreen Public School strategic plan has goals that include a culture of safety and belonging, demonstrated student academic success, mastery of grade level standards, and post diploma readiness. As a board director, how would you advocate for the inclusion of all students in the district goals? How would you advocate that all community members have a voice in our schools? Okay. Um, I've actually looked quite a bit at your at the this is I' I've brought this with me, the strategic plan, and it has brilliant statements that if we could if we could get there, if we could if we could accomplish this strategic plan would answer the question.

044Um, and and so I think it's the right I think it's the right road. Um how would I my nature is to include anyone and everyone um regardless of background, regardless of of ability, disability, um anything else that might hold them back. But at the core of what I think this this is this needs and and what I what I think those kids need to to succeed is is the simply the and I think I think I think you I think we've done a great job in trying to build a place that feels safe, a place that feels accepting. Um, I I I I hope that we can build a place that also values and and almost demands success for for the kids for for bringing your homework for doing your homework and then bringing

045your homework. Those are two different things [laughter] as most as most parents know. Um and and simply use utilizing the the road path that has been built with this into a this is the overarching thing is what we're doing is learning how to read, learning how to do math, learning how to understand science, learning how to how to move up in those ranks. not to be a foundational learner, but to actually be a consistent learner and to and to bring those numbers that we have up. Um, you might ask it later. Let me see if maybe I'll just hit it now. I I I I realized as I read the strategic plan that it correlated quite closely with the OSPI report card data. Um, I think that must have been what it was taken from

046or very nearly taken from. Um, and I was interested to kind of dig into the OSPI data. Um, the uh the smart smarter balanced assessment I believe is SBA, right, is what we use. [snorts] Um, so when you go, I'm not sure if anyone in the audience, I'm sure you all have, when you go to the OSPI website, you can see a a report card, a little snapshot, a PDF of your school, your district, the state. Um, so I was fascinated by that, but I realized that any kind of information of a snapshot of data in a in a snapshot didn't didn't give me Deb a clear idea of how the district was doing, how the schools were doing, how how we were doing versus the rest of our state, how we were doing as

047the seventh largest school district, how were we actually doing? So, I took the time that 20-year career I mentioned earlier happened to be in data management and global data. So, I might show you this and your eyes would cross, but this is like candy to me. So, so I what I did is I sort of deconstructed all the report cards and made just an Excel spreadsheet comparing so I could look across and say where are we? Where are we in the percentages? um whether it be foundational or consistent. Where are we with graduation rate? Where are we with this? Um and I will be happy to email any of you this. It's it's quite I think it's quite an interesting way to look at it. Um and so what I did is I did the

04810 districts, I did the state, and then I did the average of the 10 districts. So what was the average of the top 10 districts? And that goes Evergreen, Federal Way, Kent, Lake Washington, Northshore, Puallup, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver. Those are the districts that I believe are the are the top 10. If I've gotten that wrong, somebody tell me in a minute. Um, [clears throat] but [snorts] and then I took those averages, compared them to Evergreen, and and it is it is somewhat uh interesting. First of all, the way that they do the report card with the between the foundational and the consistent is the levels two, three, and four and then just three and four. Um, and and I still wonder this. I don't have I don't have any data. I couldn't find any

049data on level one. I'm going to guess mathematically that it's level one is whatever two, three, and four are not. That logically makes sense. Um [snorts] so if if we if we look at that um evergreens uh English language arts consistent so that would be level three and four is at 37%. You guys have it actually here at 38. I think I just could have rounded up or down here. [snorts] Um and so so I this is this is how I figured out that we were talking about the same thing here. Um, so but with with a consistent grade levels of three and four at 37%. What that said to me with my Texas experience where 90% was basically the only acceptable alternative um was we have 63% of kids who are not at level

050three and four. Um and then if we add back in level two, three and four, then we jump to 61%. But that still leaves 39% of kids who are at level one. So it so that's why I say this is a brilliant roadmap that this strategic plan but it I I think that that we might need to have more emphasis on not on not on public testing not on teaching to the test. I don't mean that. The truth is any data you guys any data whatsoever if it is static data if it is one time measured one moment in one time could those test scores have been different on Thursday instead of Tuesday. Could they have been different if it was sunny versus rainy? These are not dynamic numbers. dynamic numbers can give us consistent

051feedback on how we're doing. Would there be a possibility to give our teachers, give our administrators, give you all a way to have some dynamic data that is feeding in as far as how the kids are doing to be able to shift and move and put resources and reallocate? Could we take what is not great data and use it to our advantage to actually be able to move and shift and there is the technology is absolutely out there. We know the kids are connected. Um so would there would there could there should there be a way to do that? Um maybe. Um because because this I realize these numbers already are old. They were old the day they they came out. They were old the day the the child left the classroom. So numbers can't

052be the end all and be all. But can they be a a like a flashing sign to say go this way, go this way, take a right turn. Let's go back a little bit. And I think they can be. So I think that answers more than you needed for question two. >> All right. Thank you. >> Oh, I didn't answer how community members have a voice. Absolutely. Um I I think that that all community members of any kind should be able to speak at these meetings. I think that they should talk with their principles. I think that they should be involved in their schools. In my world, that is perfect when you have the parents being active in the school. I realize it's not as as prevalent as it may have been in some of

053our lifetimes, but um it uh it still is is but part of part of I think the board job is to make the space the availability. Um, like one of the things I had suggested in Texas was that we start holding just an open house without an agenda as a board at different schools, just an open house just to let people come and talk to us. And it was incredibly a learning experience. It was always very positive. There's always a few people who just want to gripe, but it was very positive. So maybe something to to let the community know that you all are a little more accessible that we maybe we are all a little more accessible might be as might be a suggestion. All right. What question three? I haven't I haven't been

054able to read ahead. You guys have kept me busy. All right, Deb, I just wanted to remind you that the timer is behind us. Just uh on the screen behind us on the wall. >> Oh, here. Okay. >> Yeah. So uh as think about that because there's I don't know seven more questions. Yes. Okay, let's keep going. >> All right. Three. Uh, what do you feel are two strengths and two areas of needed improvement for the Evergreen School District? What priorities or goals do you think the board should work towards? >> I I believe I've kind of covered that. >> Um, if you need more clarification, one of you speak up. But I I think I think I've sort of set my answer on that already. >> I It would be helpful for me if

055you named the two strengths and two weaknesses. if that's >> oh the two strengths needed the two strengths I think are are people um I know a lot of them I don't know nearly as many as you all do but the ones I know are absolutely committed to the success of children um the uh the other strength I think would be the probably the the focus on inclusion um which is which is helping build that that culture that arena of safety for kiddos and then does that help Rob? >> That's right. >> Okay. >> That that helps. And then the weaknesses. >> Um the weaknesses I think are we've had we've had several don't take this personally but there has been a few superintendent here in the last few years. Um and and I I

056think that affects any organization when a CEO or a or a superintendent or a president steps down, a chairman steps down. Um, [snorts] I think it I think it can be cohesive. I think there's been some friction with teachers and unions. Um, or the teachers union and the district. Um, and I'm I I still can't quite get my hands around what what the big divide is there because a lot of that is not really public. Um, but so that's what I would say. and just the maybe the the I'm not I don't think it's a weakness per se, but I also don't think it's a strength is the just the overall communication. >> I would give a an in between. [snorts] >> Okay. Thank you, Deb. Um, what experiences have you had on other boards

057or other leadership positions? And how does being a member of the school board compare or differ to your previous experience? >> Uh well, as I mentioned, I've had this exact experience. I I was one of seven um in um southern Denton County of Texas um in a very ex rapidly growing school district. Um when I joined we had about 50 schools. When I left, we had about 73. I think I I opened a lot of schools. [laughter] Um but uh or we did the the district did um other leadership positions. Um I uh have been basically moved up into a chair position regardless of the group that I have been involved with. you guys saw those on my bio. Um and ended up, you know, fairly able to to be able to drive um [clears

058throat] excellence quite frankly and and getting things done. Um and how does the member of the school board compare differ? I think I've answered that as well. Number five. >> Number five. Um, who are the particular community connections you have or constituencies that you would represent as a school board member? >> Well, as a schoolboard member, I represent everything. Everyone, every person, every child, every community member, whether they have kids in school or not. um every taxpayer. I would represent every single taxpayer who is every single not only tax because we have some residents who might not be taxpayers. Every single resident you guys of our the boundaries of our school district. Um that is who I would represent. >> Thank you. [clears throat] What kind of time commitment can you make to the work

059of the board? Such as additional meetings to engage the community in two-way discussions about issues, time away from work to attend conferences, training, and workshops. Jenny, there's that open house I talked to. [laughter] That's great. Um, guys, the season of life that I'm in, I'm retired. I'm not I'm not seeking this position to move on in politics. I'm not seeking this position to enrich myself. Lord knows, right? Since it's not a paying position. Um so the time that I have would is is open to be filled with the next needed thing. All right, the next question. Do you regularly vote in school district elections? And did you vote in the most recent levy election? And if appointed, do you plan to run for this position in the November 2027 board election? >> I always vote.

060Yes, I voted in the levy. Do I plan to run for this position in the November 2027 board election? You know what? at this moment. That is a very good question. [snorts] The answer is I would think so. I would plan so. Um I also know how incredibly hard it is to run a campaign. How how expensive it is, how taxing it is, how fraught with It's not it's not a fun event. Let's just say that there there are fun things. I love to go and talk to groups of people. That's not a problem for me. But some of the rest of it, the reporting, the the this just all the things. My heart would say yes. that if you all see your way to appoint me that I would wholeheartedly run for the position.

061>> All right. Thank you, Deb. Is there anything else about you that we should know in order to better consider your candidacy? >> I don't believe so. Um I I would probably just like to say this. Um the my my goal here is twofold. It literally mirrors what you guys have on your website, which is the board of school directors is responsible for establishing the district's goals and policies and are the governing body on adoption of school budgets and all fiscal matters. It's [snorts] the job of the superintendent who represents the board and the district staff to carry over the board's wishes. The board welcomes and encourages public participation during its meetings. Members believe that good schools and the community nourish each other and that active citizen interest guarantees the excellence of public schools. That

062is your website. That is what it says on your board page. And I absolutely want to second that. That is also my belief. Um secondly, the primary purpose of Washington state school directors per Washington state law or per uh WASDA I think is the way you pronounce the acronym um is to govern public school directors by overseeing their operations, finances and educational outcomes on behalf of the community. Um, so yes, that is that is what I'm here for. I am not here as a stepping stone. Um, I'm here so this doesn't have any 60%s on it. Anything else? Do I have any questions I'd like to ask the board? >> That would have been my next question. >> Okay. Well, there we are. Um, how do you all feel it's going? Anyone can answer. We

063have gone through, I think, in the last eight years, seven years of uh heart-wrenching budget cuts. >> Most due to enrollment loss. >> Mhm. uh but also due to um the increases in revenue from the state not matching the costs. So, it's sort of a twofold thing that has really made it difficult um to keep some of the things that we know we want to keep and need to keep because we're in a situation these days that uh we're not making what I'd call good choices as much as least bad choices, if that makes sense. >> Mhm. >> And uh But pick your poison. >> H [sighs] Yeah, more or less. >> Yeah. >> And that that weighs on you. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Oh, it kills you. >> Yeah. [snorts] Uh and then

064there are also, you know, these moments where you get to work with kids. >> Yeah. >> When you get to work with kids, none of the other stuff matters. >> That's so true. >> Yeah. And uh so I I try to keep that in mind uh when we're making difficult decisions is that well you know this is about the welfare and education of our young people from their you know pre kindergarten years all the way to graduation. Uh and not to not to get too bogged down in the moment as much as to keep my eye on the goal. >> Yeah. And the the um one of the things that I was able to get started in uh Texas was we had our ad building. Anyone who had an educational background, not necessarily clerical, but

065an educational background would volunteer to go and do like um a class so a teacher could have an extra break. Um and they would do that about every couple months. and the looks on an administrator's face who have not been in a classroom for a while and it reignites that that's what I'm doing. That's it. And it and and you just see their whole face change. you you see the power that these kids actually have and the and it becomes so real when we're talking about line items, when we're talking about heart-wrenching cuts, it becomes so real [snorts] that these are the babies we're talking about. Um, and and I think it helped I know it helped I know it helped the entire culture of our school district for those folks in the ad building

066office to to go in the classroom every other month or so. Um, so I think that's the end of my questions. We have a minute 40. Do does anyone have anything else they'd like to ask me? Well, I'll just add you had asked how you think how we think the board is doing. Um, I'll just say there's challenges on many fronts and I think one I think it was you that might have even mentioned about you know the how many superintendents we've gone through >> right >> recently and I think we made a good choice with Christine and I think the longevity will be there. So that's one positive. So >> well as we as we used to say, let's let that dog hunt [laughter] [snorts] >> or most or if you want to flip

067it, we'll say that dog don't hunt. But yeah, but sometimes you want the dog to hunt. So yeah, I agree, Dr. Maloney. >> 44 seconds. I think I'll clear out. >> Okay. Well, thank you for taking time with us. Uh >> well, thank you >> and for a great interview. >> And if anyone is interested in this lovely time blessed thing that I built, just send me an email and I will get it to you. >> I think we would love to see it. >> We would love to see it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> You bet. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Okay. We have 11 minutes before the next interview, so we'll be on a break. We're starting now. >> Yep. It's time to begin with the

068next candidate, Willie Williams. >> Uh, good evening, Mr. Williams. Can you hear us? >> Yes. >> Did you all hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Absolutely. Great. >> Okay. Uh, were you given a copy of the questions? I was not. >> Okay. So, uh we'll we'll have to be aware of that. They're they're on the table. Had you been here in person? They're on the table uh for me to point out. Uh the board has Sorry. Go ahead. >> No, uh I just say thank you. Uh yeah, so I'm on I'm online tonight uh because I'm actually uh on a work trip uh uh in Boston in Cambridge, I should say. Um, so that's the re that's the only reason though. >> All right. >> Yeah. We were aware in advance. Thank you for

069telling us about it. What we're going to do is ask you nine questions. Uh, and each of us will take turns asking the questions. Um, and the last one will be uh if you have any questions for us. >> Okay. Um, we have 30 minutes for the interview. Uh so please time your answers and responses accordingly and uh let's begin. >> The first okay the first question is uh please tell us why you decided to apply for this position, what strengths you bring to the board and what you hope to accomplish utilizing your unique skill set. >> Yeah. Uh so first of I do uh want to thank the board for allowing me an opportunity to uh apply for this uh position. Um I'm extremely interested uh in this position uh for serving for the

070Evergreen Public Schools Board because I believe every student deserve access access to high quality education opportunities. um they deserve safe learning environments and basically adults who will advocate for their success. I care deeply uh about public education. Uh I have five kids uh one of which has been through the Evergreen School System. I graduated from Mountain View High School uh last year. Uh is now in college uh at Morehouse in Atlanta, Georgia. And I have four more. Um, one in middle school, uh, two in elementary, and one is becoming almost to kindergarten. So, he's prek4. All right. And, and again, I just care deeply about public education and the role school play in shaping not only academic outcomes, but also strong communities. I want to help ensure the district remains student centered fiscal fiscally responsibility,

071transparent and responsive to the needs of families, staff and students. I also believe that this is a critical moment for Evergreen Public Schools and I want to contribute thoughtfully uh through leadership, focus on stability, collaboration, and long-term success. uh one of my strengths and I believe my highest quality is the fact that I uh have the ability to bring people together and and at this crucial time within Evergreen uh public school system uh this is what is needed extremely. We have to bring people together. We have to be able to collaborate and we have to be able to trust one another and I look forward to doing so. >> Thank you. Thank you. The Evergreen Public School strategic plan has goals that include a culture of safety and belonging, demonstrated student academic success, mastery of

072grade level standards, and post-diploma readiness. As a board director, how would you advocate for the inclusion of all students in this district goal? And how would you advocate that all community members have a voice in our schools? Yes, I do believe that uh students thrive when they feel valued and connected. I will support policies and practices that create inclus inclusion learning environments where every students feel respected, safe and ultimately supported. Uh this includes ensuring access to culturally responsive practices, student support systems, uh extracurricular uh opportunities and strong relationships with caring adults. I also believe student voice matters. I'm a huge component of student voice. All right. And students should have uh opportunities to share their experiences and perspectives with district leadership. Uh could you repeat the second portion of your question uh regarding the community?

073>> Sure. Um how would you advocate that all community members have a voice in our schools? >> Yeah, I feel like you know being a district board member uh it's my belief that uh community voice matters. you know, parents, communities, families, they want to be involved and they want a sense of transparency and they they want trust, right? They need they need to be able to trust that the adults who are representing their district will speak on their behalf. So, I would first start with transparency and trust. You have to be able to build trust or rebuild trust uh from your district and be the voice for your families. I will make sure families are included uh with uh opinions as far as uh different questions or different aspects of the board that may come

074up. Uh but and again parents who want to be included, they want they want to know ultimately they want transparency though. All right. Thank you. The next question for you tonight is, "What do you feel are two strengths and two areas of needed improvement for the Evergreen School District? What priorities or goals do you think the board should work towards?" >> Two strengths and two >> areas for improvement. >> Two strengths. Uh yeah. So I I do believe that uh Evergreen School Board uh that uh the directors that are in place you all uh keep student keep student centered. I think decisions that has been made has been in the best interest of students. Uh that's what that's important. I think that uh anytime we have um decisions to make uh problems to solve that

075students are centered and that's the that's the strength of the Evergreen Public School uh board. Uh another strength would be not only that you all keep students centered but you hear student voice, right? Uh public comments, right? uh anytime we have two student representatives on the board, I believe that's extremely important as well. So, as long as you all continue doing uh the strength as far as uh having student voice and then not only just having student voice but keeping student voice centered uh at the end of the day, I think that's is that that is great. uh we could be able to lay our head on that one and say that we are doing the what's best the best interest of the student. Two improvements uh I would say for the Evergreen uh school

076board uh we have to uh within our district we have to rebuild trust of the community. So, uh, an improvement that I would like to see and I would come in with with my hands ready to work, uh, in regards to, uh, helping to rebuild trust, public trust, uh, with our families and students. Um the second improvement uh so not just with Evergreen School District but uh districts across the country are are dealing with budget cuts and reductions. Uh this is it's a hard task, right? Lives are being uh changed. Uh decisions are being made. Uh and again I think it if it points back to uh what what is best for the student uh that's what we should uh center our answers on or center our solutions to our problems on. So uh I

077would for improvement wise again uh rebuild trust uh within our community and our families, our students, our staff. And second improvement uh is something that again is going on nationwide. Uh just uh trying to improve uh the support uh of uh students and families and staff uh even though even during this budget reduction phase. >> All right. Thanks Willie. um what experiences have you had on other boards or other leadership positions and how does being a member of the school board compare or differ to your previous experience? >> Yeah. So uh so my professional experience uh being a uh classroom teacher uh for over 10 years uh now working in a central office uh for the district in the district central office uh being uh in community experiences have prepared me to serve by giving

078me firsthand experience working with students, families, educators and community partners. I understand the importance of relationship building uh clear communication and collaborative problem solving. Right. Uh I I have experience navigating complex systems on supporting student success initiatives and balancing multiple stakeholder perspectives. These experiences have taught me how to listen carefully, lead with integrity, and make decisions grounded in what is best for students while understanding the broader operational and governance responsibilities of a district. uh some of the boards in the past that I have been a part of again uh the my greatest quality was bringing people together and and bringing people together uh on the boards uh many of times we didn't see eye to eye but the respect was there and again we was grounded on what is best for whatever you know problem

079we're trying to solve in this case it would be what is best for the students right so again my my previous times as I sat on boards uh I was a person to help bring things together to help bring people together and I strive uh to do so again along with uh being part of evergreen school board >> okay thank you 20 minutes remain well 19 and a half. Uh and question five is uh who are the particular community connections you have or constituencies that you would represent as a school board member? >> Yeah. Uh so I I would be representing my district 4. Uh so I am uh invested uh into uh my kids uh schools uh Fisher Landing Elementary. Uh I'm a regular volunteer of the school. Uh take a lot of field

080trips, chaperon uh and have been doing so uh since 2001. Um along with my uh son who go to goes to Shahala Middle School uh opportunities over there as well to volunteer. I am um [clears throat] invested heavily uh within my community and doing so as well. uh speaking up for um the students uh in my neighborhood right once I once I am in school uh and volunteering at Fisher's Landing. Um just being uh being a person who a voice for the students, right? [clears throat] Uh I uh have been able to have some capital uh within my community uh some vested capital. So uh you know people have um you know they they feel open to come talk to me uh about different uh needs or different opinions they may have uh regarding the

081school system uh in particularly uh my kids school right and uh they know that I am a voice for them when I do go volunteer at the school. >> Thank you. Okay. What kind of time commitment can you make to the work of the board such as additional meetings to engage the community in two-way discussions about issues, time away from work to attend conferences and trainings and workshops? >> Yeah, that's a fantastic question. time. [clears throat] Uh so, uh I think that uh once uh this position came up, um it was right on time for me. Um coming from a uh my previous role within my district, uh being the athletic director of my high school, I had zero time, right? And uh just recently being promoted within the district uh freed up a lot

082of time for me, right? And um with this uh vacancy, district 4 vacancy coming up, I thought it was right on time uh for me to apply for it because I do have time now, right? uh have time for uh uh evening meetings, have time to visit schools, um have time for different conferences, right? To sharpen my tools, uh be to become that school board member that uh my community needs to become that voice that uh my families uh our students and our staff needs uh in regards to District 4. All right. Thank you. Do you regularly vote in school district elections? And did you vote in the most recent levy election? And if appointed, do you plan to run for this position in the November 2027 board election? >> Great question. Great question. Uh

083uh do I vote yes. Not sure if that was your exact question. Uh but uh I'm a extreme uh component uh uh advocate uh in voting. Uh this is a a right that we do have. Uh and I I take that uh seriously uh in regards to uh citizens voicing or using their democratic uh right right as a democracy. We live in a democracy to uh to vote, right? Um so yes, uh voting is always uh at the top of our list. Uh I am a uh past civics teacher. Uh I conduct uh voting registration drives. Uh just recently uh uh in my uh current employment now uh I did nine registration drives uh before the uh cuto off date which was uh April 28th uh for um the voting uh citizens of Oregon. Um

084so huge advocate in voting. Um, the second part of your question again, oh, do I plan to vote, I'm sorry, do I plan to run for the school board position? Uh, that would be the plan. I do have a desire to uh to further uh help and uh educate my communities uh within my district. I do want to be that voice uh for my district. Uh I'm I'm heavily invested in our district uh as I have uh uh kids within the school system. Uh so yes, I I want to see uh someone in this uh position that would be willing to voice uh to be a mouthpiece for the community, for their community. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there anything else about you that we should know in order to better consider your candidacy? >>

085Yes. Uh, you know, I Great question. I get to brag on myself a little bit. Uh, so yes, I I I feel like that, uh, this is a prime time. This is a privile. uh you know of course uh just like with anything uh we do have challenges uh but I I do believe it's my belief that we are able to overcome those challenges but we have to be real strategic on how we do so. uh we need uh community, we need families, we need staff to we need everyone to collaborate with us to get the job done. And I feel like if we keep student voice and keep students centered in all of our decision- making, I think we will succeed in doing so. Um, again, mind my background uh coming from uh New

086Orleans, Louisiana, and uh moving out here to the Pacific Northwest, uh becoming uh teacher of the year, uh athletic director of the year, uh now in the role that I'm currently serving, uh I've been fighting for, uh student centered and student equity my whole career. And I think this is important. We need someone uh like myself, someone who brings people together, who brings community together, ultimately who would bring help bring uh Evergreen School Board District together as well. >> Okay, thank you. Uh 10 minutes remain for this question. >> Okay. Uh but we don't have to fill all the time if you're not if you're comfortable. Uh the last question is do you have questions that you would like to ask the board? >> Yes. Uh so uh if you had to list or what

087comment on this one, what are the district's biggest equity challenges and how is the board addressing them? I'm thinking about it. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Well, I would say probably in our data just for um on students that are um how they're succeeding in the classroom, there's still a lot um that we need to do for different populations of our students to lift them up academically. Yeah, that's that's data is important. Uh data drives um should drive uh solutions and strategies. Uh I am a huge advocate um of data as well. So thank you for answering that one. Uh so in regards to uh board members, what qualities that have have helped previous board members be successful here? >> I think you kind of um touched on it a little bit. It's the student

088centered. Um we we come to the table every time with students at the forefront. So I think that's one of the biggest things as a schoolboard director is to to come in student centered and also to know that we're a governance body. Um so we don't make a lot of the internal decisions that are happening at the you know below the the board level. So that I think is a a miscommun misconcept what we we do. >> Yeah. No, I appreciate that answer. I uh I could recall um on one board meeting u director Perkins uh who was a Mountain View grad. [laughter] >> I am a Mountain View grad. It's true. >> Yeah, that's right. Uh and you mentioning um how uh your family was brought up uh within the band program. And so

089I I like that portion of you all, you know, keeping keeping students centered. And that's again that's one of the strengths that I highlighted uh for this board. So I appreciate that as well. Uh my last question uh what do you hope the next person joining the board will contribute to the team and the district? I hope the next person who joins the board uh joins with great interest um a specific learning stance uh because I in my experience you can know what's going on on the board and then become a board member and there's so much more to learn. So there's a fire hose to begin with that folks have to be prepared for um to use that metaphor. uh but um a willingness to as you've said stay focused on the welfare and

090education of children uh and a willingness to collaborate and work together. And you know what it's a it's an old cliche but uh teamwork really makes the dream work. And I think if we leave with that, uh, everything else, uh, across the district, if we leave with that, uh, everything else will work out. >> So, I appreciate that as well. >> That's it. That's all the questions I have. We have seven minutes remaining. Are there answers to any questions that you'd like to revisit or add some more detail to? So I think I'm fine. I think I'm fine. Uh if I had to reiterate uh again uh yes if if given the opportunity um I would love to continue uh of course um disappointment and even future uh appointments uh by running for uh district

091for uh being a candidate. Uh again, I I do feel like uh a voice is needed for my community and uh my uh special power if I if I could say and again is uh is bringing people together. Uh and at a time like this, this is it's a pivotal time. This is what is needed. And Willie, I just wanted to also add on um you had mentioned at first the asking us what our biggest equity challenges are as a board and what we're doing to address them. And I know this past year um it's been you know mentioned that students of color need to see um you know teachers that you know represent them or or look like them. And I know, you know, with the union, you know, it's kind of a last

092in first out whenever there's cuts and we can try and hire, you know, people of color, but then when there's cuts, that's usually the first ones sadly out the door. But it's just the way it is. But we also this past year were trying to incentivize um retirements to you know try and get more people to move out so we can keep more people that we you know hire in recently. So that was just one aspect that we tried to address. >> Yes. And and you know what that's awesome and I I appreciate you all uh in effort in doing so uh uh because like you said uh when it comes down to uh budgets and and cutting uh you know if you knew on the block then uh it's a it's a good chance

093uh you may not be uh be able to stay on the block if I should say. Uh so I know I appreciate you all doing that uh because that's that is needed. Uh students uh uh our district is becoming diverse more diverse year after year and uh and students need to see themselves represented represented in the school right in the classroom. uh that is important and again uh that's another reason uh why I am uh throwing my name in the hat for this role. I do believe that uh representation is important. Uh and if you see things you could believe it. So uh so yes, I appreciate you all doing so and the effort uh that it takes to do to do that and um yeah, I'm in agreement with that. So, thank you, >>

094Willie. I want to thank you for coming in and talking with us. Uh coming in uh for connecting in and talking with us uh especially uh with the work trip you're on. Uh we appreciate you accommodating us. Um we will uh be in a discussion uh this evening in closed session and then uh we will make our um appointment at our next regular meeting next Tuesday and of course we invite you to join us then uh for that discussion and and vote. >> Awesome. I'll be there. >> All right. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you family. Have a great night. >> Thank you. Night. Okay. Bye. Okay, we'll come back in uh 12 minutes for Robin Bowman. Okay, I'd like to invite uh Robin Bowman uh to come up. Good evening. >> Good evening. So,

095we'll have um 30 minutes for this interview. And what we have are nine questions. Uh the questions should be uh right at your fingertips there. Uh >> I appreciate that. I'm a visual person, so this is incredibly helpful. [laughter] >> I'm glad to hear that. Really glad to hear that. Uh we'll ask the nine questions that we have uh in roundrobin format. I'll go first and then the others down the row. Um, and just ask you to be mindful of the time limit. Um, >> be displayed. >> Yeah. Right there. >> It'll be up there. >> Okay. >> Isn't yet, but it will. >> Okay. >> Yeah. [laughter] And, uh, if there's, uh, time left over after you've answered the questions, uh, our last question will be, what questions do you have for us? >>

096So, >> okay, that sounds great. >> Proceed with that. And so, if you're ready, we'll begin. >> I am. Let's go. >> Right. Thank you for coming. Uh the first question is please tell us why you decided to apply for this position, what strengths you bring to the board, and what you hope to accomplish utilizing your unique skill set. >> All right. Um, well, I decided to apply for the position because when I thought about um when I saw there was a vacancy and I thought about who would I want representing me and I thought about all of the background and skill sets and the type of personality that I felt needed to be added to the board. Um, I was kind of like, you know, that's not far off from me. Maybe, you know,

097and I talked with a couple of friends um asked them if they were thinking about applying. Um, and they said, "No, but you should." And so I thought some more about it. Um, I have never had an interest in public office, but I've always had a passion for education and for working with kids and building community. Um, when I went to college, I thought I would become a teacher. I took a curriculum with that in mind. And at the time that I graduated, the job market was such that um there wasn't a lot of demand for teachers, but there was a lot of demand for some of my other skills. And so my career took me in a different direction. Um I worked in financial planning for over 20 years. Had a wonderful career. Um

098I really enjoyed it. Uh but it's not what I set out to do. And so hitting midlife, I've kind of taken a step away from that. Um, I've used the past year to do some of the things that I didn't have time to do when I was working full-time and raising a family full-time and everything else that comes with that. Um, so I'm at a very um kind of bizarre but really wonderful point in my life where I have a lot of background and I have a lot of time and I'm figuring out what I want to do next. Um, one of the things I did over the past year in revisiting my interest in education was I signed up for the PAR educator explorer program. Um, and I did a series of Saturday seminars

099which introduce you to a number of topics. Um, everything from culturally responsive teaching to behavior management, classroom management, um, all kinds of things that in the time since I graduated from my initial schooling have evolved a lot. and and there's a lot more depth in a lot of those topics than what I had initially been exposed to. And I really wanted to revisit that and see if that was still um where my heart lies. And I do still very much care about education. Um I frankly don't think I have the patience to become a teacher at this point in my life. [laughter] My own two children um are wonderful, but they have given me multiple opportunities to um use many of the skills that I learned in my education background. Um and I think that

100the uh the knowledge I have in other areas, financial planning, compliance, um I've been on a couple of boards of directors, so I have some experience with that. Um, I've been very involved with a number of nonprofits. Um, and I I just kind of [laughter] as I look at my background, I have built a background that could be used in education in ways outside the classroom. And that's what I'm most interested in doing. Um, it's my hope that some of those skills would be valuable on the board. Um, especially at this point in time with some of the topics and issues that are at the forefront of this board's attention. Um, and I I think that's that's probably enough on that question. I want to make sure we have time for the others. But I

101I hope that the skills that I have learned in the first 20 years of my career could be put to use in an educational setting and um dovetail my two interests in that way. >> Thank you. [clears throat] The Evergreen Public Schools strategic plan has goals that include a culture of safety and belonging, demonstrated student academic success, mastery of grade level standards, and post-diploma readiness. As a board director, how would you advocate for the inclusion of all students in the district goals, and how would you advocate that all community members have a voice in our schools? >> Absolutely. I um in reading over I did a bunch of research in preparing for this interview because I wanted to make sure I wasn't um asking questions that I should have access to the answer to or

102wasting your time. So um I did quite a bit of research on uh both the Evergreen website and also the um the Washington State School Board Director's website. There was all kinds of amazing information there. And one of the things that I really enjoyed was looking at the mission of Evergreen and seeing that, let me make sure I can quote this right, that in addition to academic excellence, equity, inclusion, and belonging are also at the very top of the district's mission. I think that's incredibly important in a district as large and diverse as Evergreen. Um, and it's also incredibly challenging because you have a wide um a wide variety of backgrounds, a wide variety of support structures, abilities, challenges, and finding ways to support all of those is a challenge. And I think one of

103the ways that that I have seen that play out is perhaps some students not getting as much PAR educator support as they would like to have and as we would like them to have. I think that's one of the um challenges that I would really like to explore a little more and see how we could find ways to remedy that a little bit. It's something I've witnessed at a couple of the schools I volunteered at and I was um not surprised at the difficulty of finding people to fill those very important roles, but it made me all the more committed to making sure that kids who need a little extra support, extra yeah, slightly different curriculum can be receiving that in a way that allows them to spend more time in the regular classroom, but

104also to get the support they need. All right, great. Thank you. What do you feel are two strengths and two areas of needed improvement for the Evergreen School District? What priorities or goals do you think the board should work towards? >> All right. Well, two strengths. Um, the strength of any organization that is performing well is very people dependent. And from what I've seen and from what I've heard from other parents uh with kids in other schools and other grade levels, the staff of Evergreen is amazing. The teachers, the principles, um the the people are what makes Evergreen what it is. Um so I would say that that is certainly a strength. Um, a second strength when I think about Evergreen in comparison to other districts, um, I would say being a bigger district gives

105you some opportunities that smaller districts don't have. Um, and that is something that, um, it's just the way it is. We are one of the larger districts in Washington. It gives us some opportunities to try things, to do um, to do more because we are bigger. So I I would love to see us collaborate more with other large districts and see what they are how they are taking advantage of their size as well. Um as far as areas was it areas for improvement? >> Yeah, needed improvement. >> Um one that I would have said prior to the past few months is communication. I have to say the the communication since maybe since the start of this year has been um really impressive. I've really heard from people and I have found myself that I feel

106better informed about what's going on in the district and that it feels a little bit more transparent than it has um in prior years. So there's always room for improvement with communication and transparency, but I I do feel like that um has been headed in the right direction. Um and something else that needs improvement. Um what else would I say needs improvement? Maybe morale. Um I I have been here only in this district for only about seven years. Um, but I do feel like maybe morale um is not quite as high as it was prior to co. I bet that's true everywhere. Um, but that is something that I would love to see turn around. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. What experiences have you had on other boards or other leadership positions?

107And then how does being a member of the school board compare or differ to your previous experience? Um, I have been on three other boards of directors, I believe. Um, I was on a board of directors for a small newspaper. Um, and that, uh, had a much smaller budget, but it had personnel issues. It had, you know, it it had things. Um, and I've been on the board of trustees for two different churches. Um, one of them had, I think, a $2 million annual budget. Um, and ran a preschool and had a number of other um had four parsonages that we managed. There were there were a number of things to um keep tabs on. Certainly nothing as large as Evergreen. This um you know 3,000 employees, 20,000 students um this size budget is not

108something that I have worked with before, [laughter] at least not on a board. Um I am used to working with big numbers. Um in my financial career um I did routinely work with very large numbers but obviously um not with the same amount of responsibility and oversight that you all have. So it would be a big step up but I'm certainly familiar with teamwork. I'm familiar with um rules of order. I'm familiar with budgets. I feel like I speak the language and it would just be um a step to a much larger organization. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Who are the particular community connections you have or constituencies you would represent as a schoolboard member? >> Um well, my my primary constituency, um I'm a parent and a resident of the district, of course. Um,

109I have a number of community connections just by virtue of um, things that I've become involved in while I've been here. Um, I am active in a faith community. I've done volunteer work at a couple of different elementary schools. Um, my kids are in a number of activities and we certainly have a lot of uh, parent connections that way. Um, scouts and gymnastics and music and all kinds of things like that. Um, one of my greatest blessings is my immediate neighborhood. Um, especially, um, having moved in just 18 months before CO. Um, we got to know our neighbors really well. We did driveway happy hours. We meet at the bus stop for coffee. Um, we have created a a small community that I wish every community could replicate. Um it's been really nice to find

110um a small home like that in the midst of also being part of a larger um I'm on the PTO of course at my kids school. Um I've been treasurer there for two years because I tend to like positions with a lot of responsibility and a lot of work that nobody sees. [laughter] Um I'm more of a behind-the-scenes person, but I'm willing to put in the time. Um, and I I think no matter who you choose to fill this seat, um, an important part of their job is going to be reaching out to constituencies that they don't bump into every day. Um, that requires just time and effort and being a good listener. Um, which I'm trying really hard tonight to talk a lot because I know your job is to get to know me,

111but typically I am much more the listener in the corner. Um, anybody who's been on a a committee or a board with me will probably say that I do a lot more listening than talking. And um, that's just I I like to absorb everything, process it, come up with a plan. Um, that's kind of the role that I prefer to take. But I think if I were to represent district 4, a big part of my responsibility would be getting to know neighborhoods outside my own um communities outside my own and dedicating time to being available to hear their concerns and hear how their experience is differing from what I see each day. Um you're not going to find one person who knows what's going on in every pocket of a neighborhood or a school district.

112So, um I think if you can find someone who is willing to seek out that information, that's the next best thing. >> Perfect. Thank you. What kind of time commitment can you make to the work of the board such as additional meetings to engage the community in two-way discussions about issues, time away from work to attend conferences and trainings andor workshops? >> Um that's actually what I am most looking forward to. I am a lifelong learner. Um I really enjoyed preparing for this and reading all the information that was available in PDFs online and stuff. Um I I won't say I have endless time. None of us do and we all have to prioritize where we're going to dedicate the hours that we have. But I can say with a reasonable amount of confidence that

113at this particular point in my life, I have a lot more time than the average person. and I would love to have a good cause to put it towards. I also have to acknowledge I have um a very supportive spouse who encouraged me to apply and has fully said that I can have every Tuesday night I need and he will take care of the kids. And um I feel very fortunate to be in that position because I I know that not everyone has that and I want every voice to be heard. Um, but if I can be available and put in the time, I will try to make the other voices heard as well. All right. Thank you. Oh, do you regularly vote in school district elections? And did you vote in the most recent

114levy election? And if appointed, do you plan to run for this position in the November 2027 board election? Um, I registered to vote two days after I turned 18 and I have voted in every single election that I have been allowed to since that day. [laughter] That absolutely includes primaries, schoolboard elections. Um, and um, strike this from the record if I'm not allowed to say it, but I did have a levy sign in my front yard to vote yes. [laughter] Um, I feel very strongly about supporting public education. Um, I'm disappointed that our state is not more fully supporting it and I appreciate that our local voters did vote in favor of the levy because I I think that that is the basis of a strong society and a strong community. Um, sorry, was there

115Oh, and would I run? Um, I absolutely um, if I'm going to put in the time and you're going to put in the time to bring me up to speed on everything I need to know to be a valuable part of this board, then I'm going to stick around longer than 18 months. Um, I was at my last job for more than 20 years. Um, trained a number of people, interviewed a number of people while I was there. And I know that it's very deflating to invest your time and your knowledge in someone and then have them go a different direction. So, um if chosen for this position, I am definitely willing to make a big commitment in terms of immediate time and also um not walking away the first chance I get. >> Thank

116you. Is there anything else about you that we should know in order to better consider your candidacy? Um, [sighs and gasps] anything else you should know? Um, I'm an avid reader. One of my hobbies is uh maintaining the little library in our front yard. >> Um, I'm a history buff. I'm also a local news buff, which is kind of weird for somebody in my generation, but I have to watch the news every night because I like to know what's going on in my community. Um, I'm also a weather buff. >> [laughter] >> Um, I just I find um I find the things that happen in the world around us to be fascinating and I um I lead a very modest, very quiet life, but I love appreciating the little things that happen in the world

117around me. So, um I uh you're not going to find any scary dirt on me. I always think about the things I wish I could ask somebody during an interview and you're not allowed to. So, I have a clean driving record. I don't have any pending legal actions. [laughter] Um I I'm a pretty straightlaced by the book person. I'm a firstborn daughter. I'm a textbook very responsible student. Um and uh yeah, that's probably all you need to know. I know you have a lot of really good candidates, so I have faith that no matter who you choose, they will represent the district. Well, >> thank you. Well said. Okay. And this comes to the last question with 11 and a half minutes remaining. >> All right. I did write down some questions. I wasn't sure

118what your read out. Do you have questions you would like to ask the board? >> Um I wrote down a bunch of questions when I started preparing for this and then I kept crossing them out as I found the answers online. So um I will save you a lot of questions that I already found the answers to myself. Um, and some of these questions I completely understand if you don't want to answer in a public setting, but if I was chosen, I would love to hear your thoughts on them later. >> Um, I would love to know what one habit has been most key to your success. Um, or what one misstep um, you would advise a brand new board member um, against. I realize that whoever is going to take this seat has the

119luxury of joining people who have been in their positions for long enough to have learned quite a bit and um I'm a big fan of learning from other people's successes as well as other people's mistakes. So um if you have any tips that you'd like to go on the record on, I would love to hear what habits have served you well or what things you wish you could take back. >> You want me to start? >> Sure. Well, I think one of the biggest things that I do in life in general is time management. I do that very well. Um, the other thing that I feel like in board leadership that has served me well is that um I'm always at peace with my decisions. So when something happens or we have to make tough

120decisions because there's sometimes really hard decisions and there's a lot of um sentiment sometimes from the public that the decisions you make maybe isn't most popular or things that affect people especially when we do things that have affect people's jobs. Um those are the most hardest things that the decisions that we make. But [snorts] um I always feel that because I um know where I'm coming from and the place that I'm coming from that I can I can live with those decisions and that's what keeps me grounded in the work. >> Thank you. >> I would say um one of the biggest challenges I had when I first joined the board is being a parent um and not being able to take off your board hat as a parent with kids in the schools. So

121you walk in, I may walk in doing a field trip. I'm there to chaperone, but as soon as I they see me coming, they know who I am. And it is a completely different environment. So you never take off that board hat. You are always a board of director or you're always a director for EPS. No matter where you go, you're in the grocery store. Um, and that was [clears throat] it was easy but hard just to be able to step back. Um, and sometimes I think that my children may have suffered from a lot of that because I'm like I don't want any, you know, I don't want to cross that boundary and so I may have stepped back a little bit too much on some of it, but that is it's a line

122um and it is it can be difficult at times. >> I appreciate that input. I do have two small children and one of the things that I read online was that um some of the volunteer work that you you know you the reader some of the volunteer work that you're doing now um may no longer be as appropriate because your presence in those situations now carries a different connotation and people aren't as comfortable and I thought gosh that that is going to change the way I volunteer. Um but I I think there are a number of ways to contribute to a community. So, it it was just very interesting to read because I hadn't thought about that. >> It is um I actually I think I was on like three boards when I first ran

123for this position and I had to give them all up. >> Yeah. >> Either conflicts of interest or you just don't want to be in that. You don't want to put yourself in certain positions, >> right? >> Yeah. I'm a very private person, so it would be a big change. Um but I appreciate your honesty about that. I I remember uh while being on the board, one of my kids needed special services and I felt like I had to go into the school and say, "Look, I'm on the board of directors, but I don't want that to play into um getting an advanced place in line or or any special treatment. That should not happen to me." And their response was, "Don't worry, it won't." So, we do have great people. [laughter] >> We do

124have great people. and and uh my kid was able to get the services and things. Uh but it's just being aware of that is really good. Um useful habit is uh stance of compassion and empathy. To me, if if I start there, um then I can ask the right questions and and really get to uh a place where I think I understand how people feel, then the communication cycle reflects that back. and uh it becomes a good experience for everyone involved. Um mistakes learned from I won't say I haven't made mistakes. Um but I think [snorts] I have been uh I've had district officials write to me saying uh please take this through the superintendent instead of what you just did. um nothing that just damaged the system or anything, just that uh someone was

125out of the loop when they needed to be in the loop uh in order for that kind of thing. And uh so that was a learning experience for me a number of years ago and I've tried not to repeat that. Um >> yeah. Yeah. I guess as a advice or habit, um, just stay true to yourself. Um, and as oncoming, you know, board member, um, I would review previous board meetings and just get a feel for what you're coming into. And >> I've done that. It's a little daunting. [laughter] Um, and to what Rob said, someone gave me some great advice once that um, you don't have to agree with someone in order to understand what they're saying. And I I found that very helpful that um, trying to understand where someone comes from doesn't

126mean it's going to change my opinion, but if I don't understand where they're coming from, then I'm not even making the effort to consider my stance. So, that's been very helpful. I think one of the biggest things that nobody has really mentioned to is um knowing the difference between our or between our position and what the district does. So what we're allowed or able to do as a governing board and what leadership um you know our superintendent and their group does. So there's sometimes a misconception on where that line is and we don't get into the weeds of things. We are a governing body. Yeah, there was some really helpful information on that that I went through. And um I you know it on the one hand it sounds so simple. You're not involved in

127the day-to-day decisions. You're involved in the strategic planning and the oversight. Um but there's always that area where the two meet and and um I know that that would take a lot of discernment to make sure you understand what what the role is and what it isn't. >> Yeah. As far as missteps, that would probably be an area for me. So, [laughter] [gasps] >> all right. >> Any other questions for us? >> Um, some of my other questions were more procedural just um, you know, if if I was to come on the board and I have a bunch of questions about things that I'm not able to find the answers to. Do I reach out to other board members? Is there a liazison in a different office? Who do I go to when I'm not

128sure what to do? Um because I um being the newest member, I'm sure whoever it is will um try very hard to not step across lines they're not supposed to, but may need to ask some questions. So, >> we will do some onboarding >> with whoever's chosen as the as the person. We'll do u make sure that you have everything you need as far as resources and spending time with um one or two of us and with the um administration to learn as much as possible. >> Excellent. Um, I appreciate that. I imagine you have a good onboarding process after Um, >> I think we do. Um, and we're gearing up for it for sure. [laughter] >> And Wazda is a good source as well. >> I have been really pleased with the information they

129had there. I've learned a lot that I'll use um, in any capacity. Um, I guess my last question is just how seasonal your schedule is. Um, I know with many of the jobs or positions I've held, there's like very a very distinct busy season and a more quiet season. Is that true of the board or is it pretty much year round? >> It it's year round, but I would say that July um is a slower schoolboard month typically and December. Yeah, >> that makes sense. Mhm. >> Yeah. It's uh and it, you know, I hope and pray that it never happens again while any of us are on the board, but uh co was a much busier time. >> A lot of decisions that had to be made and and monitoring that had to be

130done >> uh just to understand it as we went through it. Uh but you know, barring great emergencies like that, [snorts] uh on slow weeks, I might put in four hours and that's in a in an officer's role. Uh and on other weeks, 20 and not all of those are meeting days, so they're not always paid uh by the stipen that's possible. Um but if [clears throat] you take on a a role with the state association uh that is a greater time commitment and there are community committees and things that can open up for you uh by virtue of that office that uh would also take up some time. >> We're also about to enter into probably two weeks of some of the busiest time for us which is the end of school year and

131graduating. So we actually do seven graduations in three days. >> Oh wow. >> We graduate usually typically 2500 students a year. So seven graduations three days and we do we all are usually at all of them. >> Wow. That's a lot to celebrate. >> It is actually one of the [laughter] things that makes us a lot of the work as reward. It's one of the pivotal moments in our year that makes the work worth it when you're shaking because we shake all of the hands of the graduates. >> Oh that's incredible. >> And hand them their diploma. I have not been to a high school graduation here yet. So, you're amazing. That's great. >> Well, I'll take my last 40 seconds to just thank you very much for your time and giving me the opportunity

132to speak with you and whether it's in the role um as a colleague or a community member that stays involved. Um I just want want you to know that I am very invested in this district and I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Uh we will discuss all of the applicants interviews in close session after uh this part of the meeting uh and then make a selection in open public meeting next week on Tuesday and you're invited of course to come and see that. >> Wonderful. Thank you so much. All right. Thank you. >> Our next interview will be at 810. Okay. I'd like to invite Tanya English to come up. >> Good evening. >> It's nice to have you here. >> Thank you. It's nice to be here. Uh by way of uh introduction,

133orientation, I'm Rob Perkins, board chair. Um we have 30 minutes together. Uh and there are nine questions that the board uh will ask in a round robin format. Um and so I'd ask that uh you be mindful of the time. The timer will be up right behind my shoulder. Uh but the last question is um do you have questions you'd like to ask the board? So, there's an opportunity for a back and forth um on your terms. Um so, if that's all right, we'll go ahead with the first question and get to know you a little better. >> Ready? First question is, please tell us why you decided to apply for this position, what strengths you bring to the board, and what you hope to accomplish utilizing your unique skill set. So, I have the

134privilege of having um gone across and witnessed many of the districts in our region uh because of my job at Peace Northwest uh the Clark County Parent Coalition and um I used to work at ESD12 doing grow and learn. So, I got to go to Wugal and go sing to kids. Um, and I've seen the strengths and the patterns of different districts. And I've seen the strengths of Evergreen and the families and the educators and the community. And not only that, but I'm a parent of children that attend Evergreen. I used to work here. Um, and I want to be able to contribute to a sense of belonging and of culture. I believe in it and that is why I'm here. Thank you. The Evergreen Public School strategic plan has goals that include a culture

135of safety and belonging, demonstrated student academic success, mastery of grade level standards, and post-diploma readiness. As a board director, how would you advocate for the inclusion of all students in the district goals? And how would you advocate that all community members have a voice in our schools? >> Yeah. So, also part of the reason that I'm here is that I believe that there is a big there's big importance in the way that schools serve as a bridge between families and community. And I think that when you straighten that bridge and you create trust in the community and you engage parents and you meet the basic needs of those families, then students come here to learn. And the strength that I bring here is that I do that all the time with it within my work.

136Families call us and they tell us that they are in crisis or they tell us that they're needing something or and we advocate the answer is yes. The question is how do we get there? Um, I want the same for the district. We and I've spoken to some of you in different points and I brought up the the the part about how the schools don't have to be siloed. They don't have to do everything on their own. There's plenty of organ organizations and community leaders that want to come in and help. So, how do we bridge that? How do we create that community? How do we build that trust? And so that's how that's how I plan to contribute. >> Thank you. What do you feel are two strengths and two areas of needed improvement

137for the Evergreen School District? What priorities or goals do you think the board should work towards? That bridge again between school, family, community. um that communication, that engagement, that identifying the parents that are willing to step up and then help and they want to, but they just might not know how. Um being here and interviewing as a Latina, as somebody who has trust in the Spanish speaking community, to be able to come and see a diverse board, that is so important. It's so important for them to have a connection of somebody that's making those decisions. And I think that is something that the district I see them wanting to move toward and I believe that you you will and um I'm excited to be part of it and being just being considered and being here

138is a big deal. >> All right. Thank you. What experiences have you had on other boards or other leadership positions? and how does being a member of the school board compare or differ to your previous experience? >> So, I'm currently on the board of autism empowerment and I am on that board because I am a self- advocate. So, I am a late diagnosed autistic person. Um, and I see how that they make decisions on how to serve the community. And one of those suggestions that were made was like how do we reach out to the Spanish speaking community? So now we have an article in Spanish for families. I serve on the um inter agency, it's a long name, coordinating council for early support for infants and toddlers and I am the chair there and

139I believe it's a little bit similar where you're discussing the needs of the community. You are doing a little bit of governance. um you are trying to figure out who is being left out at the table, who needs to come in, who do we need to hear from. Um I'm I'm thinking that similar here. Um, I'm also on an advisory committee for early childhood education at Clark College as well, where we make decisions about the curriculum and where it's headed and whether they are being trauma informed, um, whether they are um being equitable. Uh, I also serve on the board of Evoke Cascadia. And you're probably thinking, how are you going to have time to be here? [laughter] Um, and it would be a question of uh pri prioritizing, right? Um, but because I know

140that this would be more time and it would be more involvement and it's something I'm willing to do and it's something that I'm already doing. I'm already accompanying families. I'm already helping them get resources. I'm already connecting them to other organizations. So, Who are uh the particularly uh particular community connections you have or constituencies you would represent as a school board member? >> Yeah. Uh the Spanish speaking community uh students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That is the majority of the work I do. So I um everywhere I go talk about dis disability justice and the intersectionality um families going from the early intervention and into the school system. communities that are often left out of conversations and marginalized in different levels of systems because when they call us it is because they're having barriers

141in the systems and so I'm helping them advocate and so those are the communities that I have in mind. >> Okay. >> Thank you. What kind of time commitment can you make to the work of the board? um such as additional meetings to engage the community in two-way discussions about issues, time away from work to attend conferences and training andor workshops. I am very privileged that in the work that I do, it is very flexible and they're very encouraging in whatever whatever it is I need to do to be of service to the community. So, I am willing to rearrange my schedule. Yes. And I have a very supportive husband with me, so he helps with the kids, too. And they're teenagers. It gets easier. >> All right. Do you regularly vote in school district

142elections? And did you vote in the most recent levy election? And if appointed, do you plan to run for this position in the November 2027 board election? >> Yes, I do vote. I've been voting non-stop since I was 18 years old. And um and as for the levy, I was emailing friends, calling them and posting and talking about the importance especially in the arts and in music and how it would impact if the levies don't pass. Not just for this district, but in other districts, too. It's very important. Uh and I would run. >> Thank you. Is there anything else about you that we should know in order to better consider your candidacy? >> I come here not assuming that I know everything. I don't have the answers, but what I do know is that

143I represent communities, and I'm trying not to get emotional, that typically don't have a voice. that sometimes they're an afterthought. Um, and I have the ability of bringing them to spaces and bringing their stories and making sure that the people around them know that they're important, too, and that equal access to them is belonging and equal access for everybody. I think of like ramps and how families with strollers use them. When you bring people with disabilities to the table, when you bring marginalized communities to the table, when you create a space of like true belonging, people care, people show up. I grew up in Mexico where the culture there is that you take pride in your school, that every week you take turns in cleaning your classroom, where you take pride in that school. And

144I want the same for my kids and I want the same for families. And and I see that in them. I see wanting them to step up. I I see wanting them to come in and and but they don't know how. And that's why I'm here. And again, I may not have all the answers, but I'm hoping to be able to bring their voices to the table. >> Thank you. This is the final question of our nine and there are 20 minutes remaining. So, um we'll ask uh do you have questions that you'd like to ask this board? >> As a board, what would you want the next person to fill that seat to understand about what the district is needing? What is the most pressing issues? What would you want them to know coming

145in? >> I guess they're looking at me. >> Oh, and all of you. Yeah. >> Um, >> we have time. I was I didn't take too long. [laughter] It's a it's a really good question and I would want uh an incoming board member to understand uh that they'd be supported in uh the learning workload that would be involved. Um, we have materials and plans for an onboarding process uh that have plenty of room for uh the new board member to ask questions and have their questions answered. Um, I'd also want them to know that, um, we intend to assume positive intent. Um, it's something that, uh, Superintendent Maloney uh, believes in and stands by. It's on the signs at every school now. Uh, along with five other things. Um and that uh I think our

146intention is to govern uh without meddling administratively >> which can be an interesting and sometimes difficult balance to strike. Um but that one of the most important things will be to establish and maintain relationships of trust with that newcomer and uh to remember we're all human. >> Thank you. Yeah, >> one of the biggest things and it's been mentioned a couple of times tonight even is um student centered. The work we do when we sit down together, the students are at the top, middle, you know, center, bottom, everything we do is for our students and the outcomes and every decision we make, we go through how is this going to impact our students. So that is um an extremely important thing to all of us is that we all come together with students as our

147top priority. >> I wasn't sure if we're going in order. Um, yes, similar to what I mentioned, I believe with the previous, um, candidate, um, you want to know what you're getting into, and you probably do. Um, I don't know if you've watched, you know, the last several board meetings. Um, just to understand the climate of what you're walking into, the the challenges, you know, of course, budget is a challenge in these financial times. And um also, you know, the strike situation. I mean, there's been a lot of strong feelings there. Uh you know, strong community um sentiment. So, yeah, I would just know what you're walking into and be better, be prepared for it um as best you can. So, that would be my advice. So, >> all right. I'll I'll be brief. So,

148what I would say is that um we're a large district, right? There's a lot of complexities to it. Um we have a lot of employees, we have a lot of students, we have a lot of community members and residents that are part of the schools whether they have kids in the district or not. And so, we have to consider like all of that as a schoolboard director when you're making decisions. Um but I would say that even in times where maybe like all of us don't agree on something, we always think about what's best for students. We always want our students to get better and every day even when there's hard things or when things aren't going well, um we always believe that our students have hope for the future and that we're going to

149do everything that we can as a board superintendent team to make that happen. >> Agreed. You can keep asking us questions if you like. Um, how do you handle um those tough moments when you're because you are human. You are human. We all are. We all make mistakes. We all carry stuff and you know when we go to bed and we're thinking about it and we're up at night like how do you how do you handle that pressure? And I asked that because if I, you know, I'm trying to apply for this board and um and that's the part that I think I would um I think about the most. It's like how how do you handle those moments when you're like, "Oh man, is this worth it?" >> It's definitely hard sometimes and Julie

150um had kind of touched on it a little bit earlier with a different candidate that um I forgot what I was going to say. It's been a long day. Um, what were you talking about? >> Well, I'll I'll answer maybe to that, but uh because I was actually thinking about this earlier when I answered. Um, what helps me is that um I want to stay grounded in my decisions like know that at the end of the day that I did everything that I could and made the best decision possible. But the other thing that helps me in those moments because there are times where you think ooh, you know, like um what are we doing here? Right? But you know what I think about and I actually thought about over the weekend a lot because

151I was um with the board directors of Washington State at WASDA and I kept thinking about graduation and how it's my favorite time of the year when seeing all of those kids that walk across the stage and I think about how we've created a system that gets kids past the finish line and there's just so much excitement and around that. So that's what keeps me doing what I do because I love the excitement in watching kids have hope when they graduate. >> Thank you, Julie. That is actually what I was going to say was that at the end of the day, we know that we put kids first, that our decisions are what we, you know, believe are best decisions for the students in our district. And so we kind of just have to take

152it. I guess you know that doesn't sound very nice, but um you just you you come at it with knowing that your heart is in the right place and that you've made the decision that is the best decision that the governing body made together. And that what makes us get through each day is that at the end of the day, we did our best to make sure that our students in our district are getting everything that they need. >> It's taking opportunities to work with kids and students. Uh, one of the best things I think this board ever did was appoint student board representatives, uh, which gives us constant contact with a high schooler, right? Two of them. Um and we also have another committee of high schoolers who advise uh the board through those

153representatives. So that there are there are a couple dozen um students involved in uh advising government which is a good experience for them and a tremendous opportunity uh for us. Um we used it when we were discussing cell phone policy. Um but yeah graduations is a high point. first day of school, graduations. Personally, the children's culture parade is uh also a high point uh that I just love to attend. Um and I find my uh my own greatest uh I guess satisfaction out of interacting with students, whether they're protesting to us or commiserating with us or um just sharing their lives. We have structures on the board that we continue to um that we continue to uh adjust as times go on uh so that we have those contacts um and then so that we

154can understand where they're coming from. >> That's great. >> I can relate to that that I have a couple of uh families with students that are graduating and I'm like, "Yes, they're getting to the finish line." And I when I worked at the preschool um some of them are in gosh I think they're getting into eighth grade now and I'm like I remember when you were little and uh this district has like I'm I'm biased a little bit but they do have the best students. So [laughter] >> yeah, I guess I would add just um being transparent. Um, I really enjoy emails that we get from constituents and just answering them and being honest and sometimes painfully. So, just >> do you take turns answering emails or >> currently? Yes. >> It rotates monthly. >>

155Okay. So, if you have further questions or you'd like to loop back and uh fill out or flesh out any of the other answers you've given us, we still have the time. >> You do have the questions in front of you if you wanted to look at those. I'm not sure if they told you that. >> No. [laughter] Thank you. I had noticed you didn't look down at all, so I was like, I don't think she realizes that the questions are there. >> I mean, the bad part about going last is that I've been thinking about it the whole time and in my head. So, I'm just sort of like, >> um, We got plenty of time. So, if you want to just review them and if you want to add anything, it's your time.

156>> The as far as the community connections too, um I recently got very that safety on 136 and Miguel Ray and having the email and getting the contacts and um speaking to the how responsive was the principal at White East and like the district the security person emailed right away. Um it was like they were taking this super seriously but and I was trying to get the city to like get in there and parents were very responsive too and so I think they also wanted to help but didn't know how but then the unfortunate part that it was during the holidays so that kind of put a lull on things but but I think uh one of the strengths that I have is that I have that ability of like let's get the momentum let's

157get grow um you know, calling and um we do I do also have uh connections to like state coalitions and we do legislative advocacy and connections to the League of Education voters. And so when things come up that are important for families to know that it impacts like um the school districts financially or that impacts the way that the stu what students are getting um I'm able to call them. I'm able to call the people that know them too and get connected to them and give them the information and be like your presence is important. Your call to this legislator is important. Um I know that like you know we can't not as lobbying but as like information like this is the tools that you have at your disposal and what you can use and

158so that's another strength I failed to mention. I in the case of elected board directors uh there is an advocacy role and was helps coordinate a lot of that. There's a legislative platform uh for school directors and an invitation to participate every year. >> That is great. >> Okay. And um I would love to connect regardless of being here on the board or not. I would love to connect with that. I did um participate in the community advisory committee. I've participated in the special education advisory committee. So, anytime I am invited in here, I'm willing to come and help and talk and connect. So, >> special ed is one of our biggest I mean district statewide WASDA and that's one thing that we definitely advocate for on a regular basis, >> right? >> Funding. >>

159Yes. Yes. More funding. Um there's students that need the services and that requires funding. I understand that. And um it's very important to get families informed about that and the multipliers and the need and Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. And I know I'm the last one to go, so I'm okay stopping too and giving you six minutes of your time if you are okay with that too. So >> we have a little bit more time we're going to spend together. Uh what we'll be doing is um we're going to go into an executive session to discuss uh what came out in the interviews um without making any final decisions. The final decisions will be made uh next Tuesday at our regular board meeting and uh I invite you to come. >> Great. Thank you. >>

160Right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for joining us. >> Have a good night. Okay, that was too close. The time is 8:36. The board will go into an executive session in the hemlock room under RCW423010 section H to evaluate candidates for the board director open position. uh director area 4 from uh 8:45 until how much time do you think we'll need? >> Yeah. Well, 8:45 until maybe a half hour to start with. We'll see how we go from there. >> 9:15, right? Um and with that, we're in recess until that point. The board of directors is going to extend the executive session for another 10 minutes um completing at uh 9:26. Good evening. The time is uh 9:28. Uh our executive session ended at 9:26 and the meeting is adjourned. >> [music]