EVERETT — The race between Carol Andrews and Susan Kaftanski for an opening on the Everett School Board is as civil as it is competitive.
Andrews and Kaftanski advanced from a four-way primary in August for the chance to represent Position 2 on the school board. The winner of the Nov. 6 general election will replace Roy Yates, who has served on the board for 19 years.
“Whoever wins, I think the board will be getting a good new member,” Andrews said. “That’s the goal.”
The candidates have similar backgrounds. Both are Everett businesswomen and mothers in their early 50s who have had children graduate from Everett schools. They have both lived in the northern and southern parts of the district and say they place top priority on helping create policies that promote student achievement and build partnerships between the community and the schools.
Andrews, a certified public accountant, has served as treasurer for the district’s levy and bond committees for the past eight years. She said her financial background could prove valuable to the board.
She said it also could be helpful to Mill Creek residents to have a board member from the growing south end of the district.
Andrews said she would push for more parental involvement based on research that shows it makes a difference in student achievement. She also wants to get businesses involved “to get those kids to see the purpose of school and to see there is a reason for staying in school.”
Andrews attended the Everett School District, graduating from Cascade High School, and has a favorable opinion of what she sees in the schools.
“I feel pretty connected to the district,” she said. “I might be biased, but I’m really very satisfied with what they are doing.”
Kaftanski is a veterinarian with her own business, House Call Veterinary Services. Yes, she does make house calls.
Although she has two children now in college, she wants to make sure the district continues to emphasize vocational programs in high-demand trades. She would also like to see the district provide short, reader-friendly budget reports for people interested in district finances.
Kaftanski grew up in Walla Walla, earned a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University and graduated from veterinary school at Washington State University. Given her background, she has a keen personal interest in science education.
Her children attended Catholic schools and public schools.
“I believe I have enough of a varied background being able to see schools, smaller and larger, private and public, to perhaps have a bit more depth as far as seeing possibilities and have a little more latitude being able to apply some of that knowledge,” she said. “It helps to see what has worked and didn’t work and how can we apply that here.”
Kaftanksi said she believes the district is doing well and likes its willingness to look for ways to do better at getting more students to meet state academic standards.
“I definitely think they aren’t trying to rest on any particular laurels,” she said. “They are looking for ways to improve and I believe we should not just meet, but we should exceed standards.”
The Everett School District is one of few districts in the state with six-year terms. The position pays $50 a meeting and for other district-related commitments up to $4,800 a year.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
