Published: Monday, July 18, 2011
Voters' pamphlet statements from candidates for an open School Board seat
Four candidates – Mark Dillan, Linda Hood, Diana White and Mark Zandberg -- are running in the Aug. 16 primary for the Edmonds School Board position now held by Patrick Shields
The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the Nov. 8 general election ballot
Here are statements from the four candidates that will appear in the local voters pamphlet that county officials plan to mail at the end of July:
Mark Dillan
“Mark Dillan believes that schools are the heart of the community, and that each student's success is the paramount priority. This has inspired his involvement in the Edmonds School District (ESD), as an active parent and community volunteer. For 11 years Mark has served on the Citizen Planning Committee. As Chair of the Facilities Committee, he helped ESD develop and implement a strategy to garner community support for a master plan to construct new schools. The new Lynnwood High School and Meadowdale Middle are a phase of this plan. Serving his fifth year on the Budget Advisory Council, Mark brings a business owner's and parent perspective to tackling the financial challenges facing ESD. Mark helped develop a communication protocol with the Emergency Response Task Force. He also served on interview committees for hiring key ESD administrative positions. Mark's three children are currently college students; all attended Madrona K-8 and are graduates of Edmonds-Woodway High. Mark understands the needs and concerns of ESD parents and community members. Mark Dillan will continue exercising his leadership and experience for each student's success.
"Endorsements: School Board: • Ann McMurray •Gary Noble •Susan Paine.
"Follow Mark on facebook: DillanForSchoolBoard
"Email: dillanforschoolboard@gmail.com"
Linda Hood
“Linda Hood: Your Voice for Excellence in Schools
“Linda Hood wants the Edmonds School District to take the lead in providing innovative, stimulating educational experiences to the almost 20,000 children in our schools.
“Her years leading the Parent Teacher Student Organization and its $350K budget, as well as advocating on behalf of children and parents at other schools, have given her tremendous insight into the challenges parents, teachers and students face. Her mission as a Board Member will be to ensure students receive the resources and opportunities they need to excel despite declining budgets.
“Linda has been an active member of the Edmonds School District's Citizens' Planning Committee, including the Fiscal Futures Task Force and the Operations Subcommittee. She has proven a willingness to explore problems and a determination to implement change where it is needed.
"With over 30 years' management experience in small businesses and multinational corporations, Linda brings an understanding of fiscal realities. She is currently a financial and operations consultant for small businesses and county government agencies. She and her husband have one child in the Edmonds School District.”
"Web: www.lindahood.org
"Email: lindahoodforschools@gmail.com"
Diana White
“My name is Diana White and my commitment for seeking election to the Edmonds School Board is based on my past ten years of volunteering, leadership, and service in Edmonds Public Schools.
“ With four children in three schools, I am well aware of the impact the budget cuts have made on this community. It is even more important in these trying times to generously support the dedicated work of so many people: parents, teachers, staff, volunteers, the district and especially the students.
“My volunteering started in the classroom, expanded to PTA president, school auction chair, and CPC representative. I began an after-school math tutoring program and an algebra club at two local elementary schools and presented Native American Education projects to students. My most challenging role was fundraising and building the new playground and walking track for Edmonds Elementary, where I worked with district and city personnel to see the project to completion.
“I also volunteer at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and am a Board member for the Hazel Miller Foundation, a local philanthropic foundation based in Edmonds. My degree in finance from WSU and insurance background will provide an excellent analytical perspective on the issues.
"Email: dianawhite4school@gmail.com
"Web: www.dianawhite4kids.com"
Mark Zandberg
“Seventy percent of residents in the Edmonds School District don't have children in our public schools and yet 100% of our board members do. As taxpayers, we deserve at least one board member that has a more objective view about how our tax dollars are spent. Someone equally concerned with where school funding comes from as well as where it goes.
“A diverse board of directors offers the greatest hope to overcome dire financial challenges. My election would assure more effective oversight and ensure the consideration of new and alternative views.
"I have more than a decade of experience in public facilities management, operations and capital planning.
“I have more than a decade of experience in administering contracts, negotiating leases and following public procurement regulations.
“I understand demographic trends and have used this knowledge to more effectively anticipate changes in district funding from the State.
“I will be equally concerned with where school funding comes from as well as where it goes. I believe we need to maintain and improve our quality public schools even in tight financial times and I will remain steadfast in my advocacy for students and the responsible use of taxpayer funds.
“Email: mark@esd15.org
"Web" www.markzandberg.com"
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com
The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the Nov. 8 general election ballot
Here are statements from the four candidates that will appear in the local voters pamphlet that county officials plan to mail at the end of July:
Mark Dillan
“Mark Dillan believes that schools are the heart of the community, and that each student's success is the paramount priority. This has inspired his involvement in the Edmonds School District (ESD), as an active parent and community volunteer. For 11 years Mark has served on the Citizen Planning Committee. As Chair of the Facilities Committee, he helped ESD develop and implement a strategy to garner community support for a master plan to construct new schools. The new Lynnwood High School and Meadowdale Middle are a phase of this plan. Serving his fifth year on the Budget Advisory Council, Mark brings a business owner's and parent perspective to tackling the financial challenges facing ESD. Mark helped develop a communication protocol with the Emergency Response Task Force. He also served on interview committees for hiring key ESD administrative positions. Mark's three children are currently college students; all attended Madrona K-8 and are graduates of Edmonds-Woodway High. Mark understands the needs and concerns of ESD parents and community members. Mark Dillan will continue exercising his leadership and experience for each student's success.
"Endorsements: School Board: • Ann McMurray •Gary Noble •Susan Paine.
"Follow Mark on facebook: DillanForSchoolBoard
"Email: dillanforschoolboard@gmail.com"
Linda Hood
“Linda Hood: Your Voice for Excellence in Schools
“Linda Hood wants the Edmonds School District to take the lead in providing innovative, stimulating educational experiences to the almost 20,000 children in our schools.
“Her years leading the Parent Teacher Student Organization and its $350K budget, as well as advocating on behalf of children and parents at other schools, have given her tremendous insight into the challenges parents, teachers and students face. Her mission as a Board Member will be to ensure students receive the resources and opportunities they need to excel despite declining budgets.
“Linda has been an active member of the Edmonds School District's Citizens' Planning Committee, including the Fiscal Futures Task Force and the Operations Subcommittee. She has proven a willingness to explore problems and a determination to implement change where it is needed.
"With over 30 years' management experience in small businesses and multinational corporations, Linda brings an understanding of fiscal realities. She is currently a financial and operations consultant for small businesses and county government agencies. She and her husband have one child in the Edmonds School District.”
"Web: www.lindahood.org
"Email: lindahoodforschools@gmail.com"
Diana White
“My name is Diana White and my commitment for seeking election to the Edmonds School Board is based on my past ten years of volunteering, leadership, and service in Edmonds Public Schools.
“ With four children in three schools, I am well aware of the impact the budget cuts have made on this community. It is even more important in these trying times to generously support the dedicated work of so many people: parents, teachers, staff, volunteers, the district and especially the students.
“My volunteering started in the classroom, expanded to PTA president, school auction chair, and CPC representative. I began an after-school math tutoring program and an algebra club at two local elementary schools and presented Native American Education projects to students. My most challenging role was fundraising and building the new playground and walking track for Edmonds Elementary, where I worked with district and city personnel to see the project to completion.
“I also volunteer at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and am a Board member for the Hazel Miller Foundation, a local philanthropic foundation based in Edmonds. My degree in finance from WSU and insurance background will provide an excellent analytical perspective on the issues.
"Email: dianawhite4school@gmail.com
"Web: www.dianawhite4kids.com"
Mark Zandberg
“Seventy percent of residents in the Edmonds School District don't have children in our public schools and yet 100% of our board members do. As taxpayers, we deserve at least one board member that has a more objective view about how our tax dollars are spent. Someone equally concerned with where school funding comes from as well as where it goes.
“A diverse board of directors offers the greatest hope to overcome dire financial challenges. My election would assure more effective oversight and ensure the consideration of new and alternative views.
"I have more than a decade of experience in public facilities management, operations and capital planning.
“I have more than a decade of experience in administering contracts, negotiating leases and following public procurement regulations.
“I understand demographic trends and have used this knowledge to more effectively anticipate changes in district funding from the State.
“I will be equally concerned with where school funding comes from as well as where it goes. I believe we need to maintain and improve our quality public schools even in tight financial times and I will remain steadfast in my advocacy for students and the responsible use of taxpayer funds.
“Email: mark@esd15.org
"Web" www.markzandberg.com"
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com