MUKILTEO — The practice has been in place for more than a quarter century.

In the Mukilteo School District, administrators don’t handpick parents for various advisory committees. Instead, they are elected by fellow parents to serve on panels alongside teachers, union leaders and other staff.

That arrangement began after the 33-day teachers’ strike in 1990, said Andy Muntz, district spokesman.

“It has worked well,” he said.

On Wednesday, parents will have a chance to be chosen for standing committees on the budget, research and development, students rights and responsibilities, instructional materials and special programs, such as special education, the academically gifted and students learning English as a second language.

To be eligible to serve on a panel, parents must attend a meeting and be elected at Wednesday’s meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the school district office, 9401 Sharon Drive, south of Everett.

Most positions are for two years. Membership is staggered with some positions opening up this year and some a year from now.

The school district has broadened efforts to get the word out about the openings. Information used to be part of a first-day of school flier, but now appears on the district’s website and newsletters.

Muntz said the district also is interested in having people from the community who don’t have children in schools serve on committees. To learn more, they can call the district office at 425-356-1220.

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