EDMONDS — The Edmonds School Board’s newest member has a personal stake in how the district’s schools perform.
Two, in fact.
Susan Phillips, 48, has two children at College Place Middle School and a longtime interest in the local schools.
“I have been involved in the schools since my kids started in the public school system,” Phillips said. “I have been interested in the board for several years now.”
When Dr. Bruce Williams moved to another part of the district and submitted his resignation, Phillips thought, “Why not?”
She was one of four residents from the southwest area of the district to apply and was chosen by the other four board members.
She is scheduled to take her oath of office at Tuesday’s board meeting. The Edmonds School District is one of the largest in the state, with more than 30 schools and 20,000 students.
Phillips said she takes the position with no personal agenda or hot-button issues beyond seeing the district continue to provide a safe learning environment. She has been involved in PTA at her children’s schools and once served on the district’s Citizens Planning Committee, which makes recommendations on long-term building needs, and on a levy and bond committee.
“I don’t think I know enough about things to say what perhaps needs to be improved upon,” she said. “I realize I have a lot of learning to do.”
Phillips teaches in the hospitality and tourism program at Edmonds Community College. She said she was bitten by the travel bug early in life and has been in the travel industry for more than 20 years, exploring more than 40 countries.
Phillips said she joins the board with “a good nervousness,” similar to what she felt before she started teaching. The most important thing is she had buy-in from her family, she said.
“They were very supportive,” she said. “They were encouraging me to do this.”
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
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