This summer, I was invited to apply for an open position on our local school board. An elected official resigned her position, three of us applied for the position and were interviewed. I was selected over two other excellent candidates. Since then, I have jumped into the dense world of public school systems. Dense because I knew it was complex…but I didn’t really know how complex it really was. We had a board retreat just before my swearing in, in which we laid out the major moving pieces for the school year ahead. My head was swimming afterwards! I’ve since interviewed with major district administrators, toured two schools, observed a labor dispute and got a crash course on school budgets.

Last week marked my 100th day on the job. Here are the highlights and challenges from that period of service.

Highlight: Swearing In

On August 17, I was sworn in as the District 2 representative for the Mount Vernon School Board of Directors. It was surreal taking the oath of office. I vowed to uphold and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Washington. I’m not overly patriotic…but I did feel a heightened since of duty by taking the oath. I often take the Constitution for granted, but now it felt like I was participating in its purpose in a whole new way. Often we think of military personnel as defending the causes of freedom, and with good reason. But freedom is also the product of a well-informed populace who can tell truth from falsehood and who have the skills and knowledge needed to forge their own future. That requires a robust, quality education available to the entire populace. To that end, I feel a strong sense of duty in directing the school district in a wise and productive manner.

Challenge: Labor Dispute

Also on that same day, a vocal collection of para-educators, donning blue t-shirts, took to the public comment section to vie for a better contract. As they came to the podium, I saw familiar faces: para-educators who have served my kids very well. I have seen them at PTA meetings providing translation (well after hours), at the car pick-up line making sure kids are safe near traffic, and we have greeted one of them regularly at her other job. They spoke passionately and reminded us what their jobs entail: dealing with special ed kids who are throwing tantrums, monitoring kids at lunch and recess, supporting teachers in numerous ways and helping parents. They were effective in their presentations.

In the weeks that followed, the para-educators did go on strike-right as the school year began. The year was delayed for three days as negotiations carried on. As a board member, I had no presence in the negotiating room, but did get regular updates. I observed district staff work long hours with multi-faceted conversations. As some disputes were settled and some lingered, our Superintendent entered the negotiations. Having been a para-educator himself, he understood the role and its many challenges. Luckily, the contract was negotiated and the school year could begin.

What I appreciate about that moment is the maturity and manner of the negotiations. Too often, distrust is the beginning position. And certainly there were differences. But since there was also mutual understanding, a conflict didn’t turn into a war. As the sides came together, there was a common appreciation for the work of para-educators. They signaled appreciation for being heard and their needs met. As both a parent and a board member, I have gained a deeper respect for both the district and the para-educators.

Challenge: Schedule Change

In October, we welcomed another bevy of unhappy employees. This time it was over a proposed change in the high school schedule for 2025-2026 year. As with the para-educators, we heard teachers sharing how the change would negatively affect their students and their courses. The biggest cost would be to elective offerings, something that has been attractive to students in recent years. As a parent of a high schooler, I took particular notice of the discontent.

Later, at another meeting, a teacher approached me and asked: ‘has the schedule change already been approved?’ I honestly didn’t know and could honestly tell her that I hadn’t voted on it. As it turns out, the change had already been approved in the spring as part of the budget for 2025-2026. The district did have to send out extra communications on that fact and has since hosted some forums with faculty to discuss the matter. As a newbie, I needed to learn the chain of communications to figure out where the breakdown occurred. As it turns out, I asked this question during our board retreat in August. In the commentary in October, I had a bout of confusion as to whether we were talking about the same thing. Again, learning the complexity and keeping all the records straight is a task.

Highlight: Visit to Centennial Elementary

One of the best practices of our new Superintendent is regular walk-throughs of our district schools. Some of these are random and unannounced. Others are scheduled with time with the principal and teachers. I joined Dr. Vergara at one of the schools in my District: Centennial Elementary School. Centennial was built using a pod design, which i found interesting. Every school has a values and goals scheme. Centennial does a great job articulating and rewarding these goals.

We got to observe several classrooms. Dr. Vergara and I even got to read to one of the classes: he in Spanish and I in English. That teacher has a chart of 100 books to read as a class. We got to contribute 2 of them. the book I read was about a man who sells hats, but the monkeys stole the hats!

We got to observe a teacher using a new math scheme. Another was doing language arts. We finally sat down with the principal. I found her to be wise and focused. They have a great way to keep up with kids called “Four before the Door”. This means that every kids ought to receive 4 adult interactions before the beginning of school. This could be bus drivers, cafeteria workers, para-educators, office staff and administrators and teachers. If a child gets off the bus in a terrible mood-crying or angry-the school knows to respond so that kid can get their issues resolved and they can get back to learning. I had heard of Laslow’s pyramid before. Here I see a great way it is being implemented.

Challenge: Multi-Language Learners

Our first work study session of the school year was around multi-language learners. We have a dual language program that begins in kindergarten. We heard from department heads on literacy rates among MLLs. The numbers are alarming to say the least. Too many students are well-behind their peers for reading at even an elementary level.

It was my first time seeing such a report and I wasn’t sure what the graphs and tables all meant. I felt like it was not good. As a read and read the tables, I asked myself, is this saying what I think it is saying? Finally, another board member spoke up and said out loud what I was thinking. It was good to have an instinct confirmed. Of course, i need to learn to be faster and not to be afraid to verify what I am thinking.

I spoke with the Associate Superintendent later that month and shared my view: it’s almost as if the kids aren’t even trying. I had a hard time thinking that teachers were not delivering at that level of result. When I see sincere, hard working, thoughtful people, I expect to see at least some progress. So what is the serious disconnect? It being my first real go around with these kinds of reports, the importance of the Board’s oversight was made much more clear. As representatives of the public interest…we need our MLLs to succeed. There are too many of them around to be so disconnected from their own world.

Highlight & Challenge: Strategic Planning

This school year, our district is undergoing a process for strategic planning. These plans lay out a set of goals and a course of action that will guide our work for the next several years. It requires a lot of input from all the stakeholders in the district.

My first opportunity for the strategic planning was cut short. I had been invited to sit in on a process with the consultant and a group of teachers. Not long after the session began, I was taken aside. It was explained to me that several teachers were nervous to know that a board member was present. Of course, none of us knew each other personally. I have always had a deep regard for teachers, so to be inherently distrusted was a bit shocking.

I had another chance that same evening when the consulting firm sat down with a group of parents. There were teachers there, too, who were also parents of kids in the district. The process was a bit clunky. And afterwards, it was understood that the process wasn’t very accessible to online and non-English speakers.

Finally, I joined another step in the process, this time with students. They were joined by several teachers. The process was lively, hopeful and well-attended. My first reaction was “wow…I wish the parents could see this!” The students were thoughtful, articulate and insightful.

We’re still in the process, but having seen it evolve over time, I feel confident that we will ample input from all the stakeholders in the district. Then comes the good but hard part, determining the ultimate direction. In my mind, I often differentiate good problems from bad problems. A process that produces too many good ideas is a good process. I’d rather weave through a bevy of good ideas than to navigate cliches and pessimism.

Highlight: WAGAP Luncheon

In October, I was invited to observe a luncheon at Mount Vernon High School honoring WAGAP award recipients. WAGAP stands for WAshington Guaranteed Admissions Program. Seniors who maintain at 3.2 GPA are guaranteed admissions at seven Washington state Universities: Eastern Washington, Central Washington, Western Washington, Washington State, Evergreen State, Washington University at Tacoma and ______ universities.

As I approach age 50 and am still paying student loans, I doubt the students realize just how amazing this opportunity is. There is a long ways to go to return higher education to more reasonable costs, but the WAGAP is a great start.

Highlight: ARC Presentation at Centennial Elementary

One of our board meetings in November was hosted by Centennial Elementary School. When we go to a school for a board meeting, we ask the hosts to share a bit of their life and work. This time, Centennial gave us a demonstration of their new literacy curriculum called ARC (American Reader Curriculum). Our Associate Superintendent had alerted me that this new curriculum was showing promise. The kindergarten department gave a demonstration using magnetic letters and trays. On the surface, it just looks like arranging letters to form words. In three years of using this curriculum, Centennial has seen literacy rates double! I know that new curriculum adoption os no guarantee of success. The teachers at Centennial have been faithful to the program, and it is inspiring to see its success.

I happen to know a new curriculum for middle school math was recently adopted. (It helps to have a middle schooler at home.) I also know that a new curriculum can take 3-5 years to show its value. It behooves a school system to have wise people selecting curriculum and team players among the faculty to be faithful to the curriculum’s method. I commend the kindergarten department at Centennial for their focus and dedication to adopting a new, successful literacy curriculum.

Highlight: Ribbon-Cutting at LaVenture Middle School

In late October, we were invited to a very special evening. Back in 2016, voters within the Mount Vernon School District approved a bond package for several needed district improvements. The value gained out of that bond is simply impressive:

• A brand new Elementary School (Harriet Rowley)
• A newly rebuilt Elementary School (Madison)
• Major renovations at Mount Vernon High School
  • Converted the Fine Arts Building to Administration
  • Added a new shop building…which is still being completed to serve ceramics and metal work.
  • Renovated the Old Main Building
• Added a new wing to LaVenture Middle School

Our special event was the ribbon cutting for this new wing. the marimba band played. We honored donors, builders and bond committee members. Student leaders got to do the honors of ribbon cutting. Then we got to finally see the space. Luckily I had my own tour guide (my middle school son!). Each new room was hosted by students in the bi-lingual program. They did a great job welcoming and showing their new space. We saw computer labs, a maker space, some special ed spaces and new bathrooms.

I couldn’t help but be proud to be in this district. I’ve seen bonds fail and what that means for both the students and the community at large. I’d rather be in a district that is proud of their schools and supports them in both word and deed.

Highlight & Challenge: Conferencing Week (HL: MVHS process)

Every school offers opportunities for teachers to share progress with students’ parents and guardians. Conferencing is one of the major times teachers connect directly with the adults behind the students. It can be both unnerving and inspirational. It’s also a very busy moment!

The challenge for me came as a parent of both a high schooler and a middle schooler. To accommodate all the student’s need for conferencing, the school schedule is adjusted. Students get early release while teachers stay for a whirlwind of conferences. For parents, it means a confusing two weeks of school scheduling. How often did someone in my house say to me “can’t you fix this?” No, I can’t. Board members have no individual power.

The highlight of conferencing was at Mount Vernon High School. Teachers set up in the cafeteria (math in the library). It was like speed dating, except you could take all the time you needed. In quick succession, we met algebra, social studies, ELA, engineering and French teachers. We heard how great our daughter was. (We knew that, but it is nice to hear that she is actually learning a lot.) I suspect that method is tiring to teachers, but all of our interactions were open-eyed, attentive and informative times. The French teacher had a sample of a vocabulary notebook that students create to learn the language. It turned out to be our daughter’s notebook!

Scheduling challenges aside, conferencing turned out to be a highlight in terms of teachers and students showing the value of their work. It reminded me that education is a partnership: both teachers and students need to bring their best efforts to succeed. It compels me to bring my best as a board member. Kudos to those teachers that are able to tap into students’ self-motivation to help them learn.

Highlight: Multi-Cultural Night at LaVenture

In November, LaVenture Middle School hosted it’s annual Multi-cultural night. It is a celebration of the many kinds of people that call Mount Vernon School District home. And it is a great showcase for our neighbor’s lives and cultures. For two hours, various groups shared their cultural presentations. We were there because our daughter is a member of the excellent Mariachi program at MVHS.

What I loved about the night is seeing what diversity actually looks like and what it gift it ultimately is. There was a quartet of Ukrainian singers. I have no idea what they said, but they sounded like songs of freedom and independence. It’s true that I take my freedoms and privileges for granted. Hearing them reminded me what a gift freedom really is. How would I have had that reminder were it not for a celebration of diversity and culture? There were several folklorico dancers who were amazing in their colorful dresses. There was a Mexican musician who sangs folk songs in Spanish. The middle school choir sang songs in Russian and Ukrainian. And there was a troupe of Punjabi dancers who stole the show with their joy and energy.

Ultimately, learning to live together, learning to observe and make room for each other is an important lesson for both students and adults like to learn.

Looking Ahead

2025 promises to be a challenging year in school district governance. I am looking forward to a probable new district office, beginning a volunteering role at one of the elementary schools, witnessing the legislative season and, most exciting of all…graduation!