MONROE — The Monroe School District wants you to apply for an opening on the school board.
Former director Jerry Martin vacated the school board’s District 5 position when he resigned in early June, after videos surfaced of his teenage daughter defending her use of the N-word. Now, the board has fewer than 90 days to find his replacement. The application and nomination forms are available on the district’s website, www.monroe.wednet.edu. Eligible residents must live in or near the Fryelands neighborhood and be a registered voter in the school district. The term ends in 2021.
“I would love to see 20, 30 people apply,” board President Jim Langston said during a meeting in early June. “We want as many people as possible to come forward with this process.”
Applications must be completed online, or received in the mail, by July 9. Nomination forms are due July 7. Directors plan to review them during their July 13 board meeting, with a decision by the end of August.
Board members are paid $50 per meeting they attend, not to exceed $4,800 annually.
Questions may be directed to Superintendent Justin Blasko, blaskoj@monroe.wednet.edu.
Earlier this month, former Director Martin and his daughter both publicly apologized for her use of the racial slur.
“I need to focus on my family and let the school district and school board continue to do great things for kids,” Martin wrote in his resignation letter. “I have really enjoyed being a part of this board and doing fabulous things for kids along the way.”
On Tuesday, the school board released a statement outlining district policies that address racism and discrimination.
“The Monroe School District Board of Directors firmly believes that being anti-racist, and eliminating racial inequities, discrimination, and institutional bias will increase achievement and graduation rates for our students while closing achievement and opportunity gaps,” it says. “We are committed to providing an environment for our students where dreams and goals are nurtured, history and cultural heritage are celebrated, love of learning is fostered, and educational, physical, emotional, and social needs are met.”
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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