Edmonds School Board incumbent Gary Noble faces challengers Mary Murphy and Mark L. Norton on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot. Three other board positions have only one or two candidates and will appear only on the November ballot.
Voters throughout the school district vote for each position, but candidates must live in one of five director districts.
The school district includes Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Woodway, most of Brier and unincorporated areas around those cities. Murphy, Noble and Norton are running to represent Director District 3, which includes the northeast part of Lynnwood and unincorporated areas northeast of Lynnwood.
Murphy, Noble and Norton recently sent statements introducing themselves to voters. Here are introductory statements from the three in the order they will appear on the ballot:
Edmonds School District No. 15
Director District 3
Mary Murphy: I attended Edmonds High School and graduated from Edmonds-Woodway in 1991. I was involved in DECA and other school programs. Currently I am a mother of two teenagers, both who are interested in school sports and enjoy learning. I’ve been married for 20 years and lived in the Edmonds School District since 1987.
I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on the Edmonds school board. I think it is important to serve your community and get involved. I look forward to being a voice for our current students, parents, teachers and future students. Education is important and a good education will build a strong community. With our area growing we want to have a strong foundation in education and foster the same spirit of community involvement in our students.
Gary Noble: As past President and Vice President of the Edmonds School Board, I have demonstrated the knowledge, vision, experience and leadership to continue to represent you and your children in our district.
Recent district accomplishments:
- Test scores and graduation rates that exceed state averages
- Passed the 2014 supplemental levy – thank you!
- State-of-the-art replacements for Alderwood Middle and Lynndale Elementary in progress
- Financial integrity – balanced budgets even during recession
Ongoing priorities:
- Improved student achievement, lower class sizes
- Employing the best teachers and staff with increased support, training, and shared decision-making
My 29 years of experience with the district started when my children entered kindergarten and ranges from PTA officer and middle-school math tutor to the District’s Citizen Planning Committee chairperson and President of the Edmonds School Board.
I have over 40 years of management and engineering experience and a broad range of community involvement. I am endorsed by all current board members.
Mark L. Norton: I’ve called Lynnwood home for a significant part of my life. I reside here with my two children, both enrolled in Edmonds Schools, and have seen changes across the 38 years since we moved here that make my head spin. I worry about drugs and crime, knowing that what we see along our roads doesn’t stop at the school property line.
I’m a major in the Civil Air Patrol, serving since 1986 in positions of responsibility and leadership. I am a pilot, a motorcyclist, and enjoy spending time with my family at our mountain cabin. In the CAP, I’ve worked with youth all across the economic and educational spectrum, including home-, private-, and public-schooled kids. I’ve seen real leaders develop from shrinking violets, and have been proud to be part of that development for so many young people. I’ve also served as a church president, council member, and community volunteer.
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.
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