Volunteer joins the Snohomish School Board

Published 9:19 pm Sunday, January 18, 2009

SNOHOMISH — A longtime volunteer has been appointed to the Snohomish School Board.

Shaunna Ballas was sworn in last week to fill the seat vacated by Tom Pendergast, who resigned in December because of the time demands of a new job.

Ballas has four children in the district enrolled in elementary, middle and high school.

She also has been on several key committees that have made recommendations to district leaders and the school board.

“I can bring the perspective of a parent and a business owner and a relationship coach,” Ballas said.

Ballas has served both her children’s schools and the school district in a variety of roles, including as president of the Riverview Elementary School PTO and as a member of the district’s elementary educational specifications committee for school construction.

She also was a member of a district facilities advisory committee and a high school transition committee that helped plan for the district’s having two large high schools.

She’s also part of the Snohomish Education Foundation and volunteers teaching art in elementary school.

Superintendent Bill Mester said Ballas’ track record of helping schools impressed the board. She was chosen from three candidates.

“The board felt they were all good candidates,” Mester said. “Shaunna had such broad experience in serving the district.”

Ballas will fill the final year of Pendergast’s term and plans to run for the school board position in the fall election.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.